The Mission Field in Our Own Backyard
The “1040 window” is a well-known name to define a rectangle’s latitude and longitude in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This region correlates to a heavily concentrated population of nations and tribes who have not been reached with the Gospel. Living in America, where the Bible is readily available, and our history records a Great Awakening of spiritual revival and now records data to suggest a decline in Christianity, it may be hard to process that there are people who have yet to hear of the hope of Christ.
This is why missions are so important in our church. We are committed to carrying hope to the world. We resource missionaries through our tithes and offerings. We actively go on trips to engage the lost and equip pastors serving these communities and nations. It matters, and we can never lose sight of the lost in the world and our city.
While Columbus, Georgia, would never show up on a map as being “unreached,” I have personally met people who have lived in our city for years and confess they’ve never heard the name of Jesus. We can no longer assume everyone can quote John 3:16, sing the first verse of Amazing Grace, or quote the Lord’s Prayer. Those days are over.
Rather than sink into depression over that reality, rise with joy and see the opportunity. People are not bitter against the hypocrites in the church as much as they were twenty years ago. In fact, your neighbors are open to spiritual conversations. Romans 10:14-15 has never been more relevant. How can they hear without a preacher? You are that preacher! As a child of God, you are mandated to deliver a message of hope.
Will you live like Jonah and refuse to obey? If so, recall the confrontation of God to Jonah in chapter 4. The lost nations matter to God. They must matter to us! Will you join us in carrying hope? You can do this in our giving. You can do this in your serving. You can do this by going on a mission trip. Perhaps the easiest is to simply talk to your neighbor or invite your friend to lunch and share with them what Jesus has done in your life.
