I have only traveled on two foreign mission trips. If the Lord wills I will be returning to Costa Rica for my third trip this month. There are so many more preachers that have spent more time in missions than I have, so I do not claim to be an expert. I know one thing from my travels, “Go into all the world” is what Jesus wanted from me. I can do my part. I can go into all the world, literally, or all the world that I can get to. I do not believe that Jesus wanted me to literally step foot on every spot in the entire world, unless I was able. So, the question that you need to ask yourself is, “Where in the world am I going?”
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV). Where have you taken the message of the Gospel? Sometimes we have even failed to take it to the family next door. I would love to be able to literally talk to every person in the world that is not a New Testament Christian and share with them this exciting message. But since that might not ever be possible, then I must do what I can do.
Every soul is important to God. Why else would Jesus want us to go into all the world? It does not matter if the soul is in Costa Rica, India, or here in America, I must do what I can to “preach the word” to them. So think about this the next time you are in a supermarket, at the mall, or with family. Have I, “Gone into all my world and preached the Gospel?”
May God bless you and please remember to pray for the opportunity to be a minister with the message.
–Jason Ridgeway is the preachers of the Canal Church of Christ, Waverly, OH