Missions conferences are meant to be a time of renewal with a faith challenge—a moment when churches refocus on the Great Commission and the urgent need to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. These gatherings should ignite a passion for evangelism, inspire Christians to pray for the lost, and challenge churches to support missionaries dedicated to reaching those who do not know name of Jesus Christ. I have always loved attending missions conferences, but a recent experience left me deeply burdened.
At one particular conference, I listened to a missionary give his report, and my heart sank. The message he shared was not about lives transformed by the Gospel, disciples being trained, nor goals for future aspiring ministries. Instead, his focus was on cultural differences, local wildlife, the language, and the cost of living in his host country. It was a tourism report rather than a testimony of God's power at work. As I sat there, I couldn't help but ask: Have we forgotten why we send missionaries in the first place?
Missionaries are not called to be travel guides, cultural commentators, or social analysts. We are sent to preach Christ, to disciple believers, and to train others to do the same. The Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:2 remind us of this critical mission: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." The work of missions is about multiplication—raising up strong disciples who, in turn, will reach others.
Over the years, I have had the great privilege of working with missionaries on five continents, serving in a vast array of cultures. I have witnessed amazing ministries that have learned to depend on God to accomplish the impossible. Sadly, I have also met missionaries who struggle with Christ’s core calling. They may distribute gospel tracts, attend language schools, and build relationships, but they fail to train and equip new believers to carry on the work. I was particularly disheartened to hear that the missionary at this conference had been on the field for almost two decades yet had not raised up even one disciple to continue the work in his absence. How can we call this fulfilling the Great Commission?
Some mission fields are ripe for harvest, with many lost souls eager to receive the Gospel. Others are hard and resistant, where few believe and fruit is not as evident. Yet the difficulty of the field does not lessen the laborer's responsibility. Christ calls His laborers to take the Gospel to every corner of the world—both the receptive and the unreceptive. Regardless of the field, the commission remains the same: preach Christ, baptize, and teach disciples who will continue to do the same.
The problem does not lie with missionaries alone. Many pastors and church leaders in America also lack the training and vision to disciple their own congregations effectively. Instead of multiplying themselves in the lives of others, they focus on programs, activities, and numerical growth. The church’s primary responsibility is not to build bigger buildings or expand its social calendar—it is to teach, train, and send out believers who will carry the Gospel into the community and ultimately the world. Christ said in Matthew 28:19-20 that we are to "go and teach all nations." This is the heart of missions. Yet, many churches do not know how to go—to go and teach, to go and train, and to go and keep training others to do the same.
When churches support missionaries, they are not merely donating to a charitable cause. They are investing in the work of God. Just as a business expects productivity and results from its investments, churches should ensure that the funds they send to missionaries are producing fruit of disciples. If a missionary is not training others to preach, teach, and disciple, then how can we justify continuing to support their work? Missions is not about sustaining a comfortable life overseas—it is about the relentless pursuit of souls for Christ.
It is time for churches to rethink their approach to missions. Instead of merely funding individuals who claim to be missionaries. Churches must seek out and support those who are truly multiplying themselves—those who are actively evangelizing, discipling, and equipping others to do the same. Missions should not be a stagnant effort but a dynamic, multiplying movement that reaches the ends of the earth.
If we continue to pour resources into ineffective missions, we are not being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We must be intentional, strategic, and bold in our efforts. Missions is not just about going—it is about reproducing. Only then will we see the Gospel truly advance and the church grow in ways that honor Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
At one particular conference, I listened to a missionary give his report, and my heart sank. The message he shared was not about lives transformed by the Gospel, disciples being trained, nor goals for future aspiring ministries. Instead, his focus was on cultural differences, local wildlife, the language, and the cost of living in his host country. It was a tourism report rather than a testimony of God's power at work. As I sat there, I couldn't help but ask: Have we forgotten why we send missionaries in the first place?
Missionaries are not called to be travel guides, cultural commentators, or social analysts. We are sent to preach Christ, to disciple believers, and to train others to do the same. The Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:2 remind us of this critical mission: "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." The work of missions is about multiplication—raising up strong disciples who, in turn, will reach others.
Over the years, I have had the great privilege of working with missionaries on five continents, serving in a vast array of cultures. I have witnessed amazing ministries that have learned to depend on God to accomplish the impossible. Sadly, I have also met missionaries who struggle with Christ’s core calling. They may distribute gospel tracts, attend language schools, and build relationships, but they fail to train and equip new believers to carry on the work. I was particularly disheartened to hear that the missionary at this conference had been on the field for almost two decades yet had not raised up even one disciple to continue the work in his absence. How can we call this fulfilling the Great Commission?
Some mission fields are ripe for harvest, with many lost souls eager to receive the Gospel. Others are hard and resistant, where few believe and fruit is not as evident. Yet the difficulty of the field does not lessen the laborer's responsibility. Christ calls His laborers to take the Gospel to every corner of the world—both the receptive and the unreceptive. Regardless of the field, the commission remains the same: preach Christ, baptize, and teach disciples who will continue to do the same.
The problem does not lie with missionaries alone. Many pastors and church leaders in America also lack the training and vision to disciple their own congregations effectively. Instead of multiplying themselves in the lives of others, they focus on programs, activities, and numerical growth. The church’s primary responsibility is not to build bigger buildings or expand its social calendar—it is to teach, train, and send out believers who will carry the Gospel into the community and ultimately the world. Christ said in Matthew 28:19-20 that we are to "go and teach all nations." This is the heart of missions. Yet, many churches do not know how to go—to go and teach, to go and train, and to go and keep training others to do the same.
When churches support missionaries, they are not merely donating to a charitable cause. They are investing in the work of God. Just as a business expects productivity and results from its investments, churches should ensure that the funds they send to missionaries are producing fruit of disciples. If a missionary is not training others to preach, teach, and disciple, then how can we justify continuing to support their work? Missions is not about sustaining a comfortable life overseas—it is about the relentless pursuit of souls for Christ.
It is time for churches to rethink their approach to missions. Instead of merely funding individuals who claim to be missionaries. Churches must seek out and support those who are truly multiplying themselves—those who are actively evangelizing, discipling, and equipping others to do the same. Missions should not be a stagnant effort but a dynamic, multiplying movement that reaches the ends of the earth.
If we continue to pour resources into ineffective missions, we are not being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We must be intentional, strategic, and bold in our efforts. Missions is not just about going—it is about reproducing. Only then will we see the Gospel truly advance and the church grow in ways that honor Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
