Becoming a Missions-Minded Church

Introduction

The call to missions is central to the identity and purpose of the church. Jesus’ Great Commission commands believers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20), emphasizing that missions is not optional but foundational to the church’s life and ministry. Becoming a missions-minded church means cultivating a community that embraces this calling wholeheartedly, integrating it into every aspect of church life to fulfill God’s redemptive plan locally and globally.

Understanding the Heart of God for the Nations

At the core of Christian missions is God’s heart for all people. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals a divine mission to redeem humanity and restore creation. In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you,” a mission ultimately fulfilled in Christ and continued through His Church.

In Revelation 7:9, we glimpse the culmination of this mission: “a great multitude…from every nation, tribe, people and language” worshipping before God’s throne. These examples of Scripture demonstrate that missions is not a side project but it is central to God’s redemptive plan.

Defining a Missions-Minded Church

The Great Commission, given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate for every believer and every local church. Yet, for many congregations, "missions" remains a separate program or a distant concept, rather than an integrated facet of their identity and purpose. Being missions-minded means seeing every believer as a potential missionary. This involves intentional teaching, training, and encouragement so that all believers understand their role in God’s mission and are empowered to fulfill it.

Understanding the Biblical Foundation of Missions

Understanding the profound biblical framework is the essential first step in cultivating a missions mindset within the church. It moves missions from an optional activity to an expression of our faith and obedience. To become missions-minded, churches must teach a sound biblical theology of missions. From Abraham's call to be a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3) to the prophetic visions of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping God (Revelation 7:9-10), the Bible consistently reveals God's heart for all peoples. The New Testament further solidifies this foundation, with Jesus Himself modeling a missional life and commissioning His disciples to continue His work. The book of Acts then clearly portrays the early church's sudden growth as they, empowered by the Holy Spirit, embraced their role as witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Leading by Example: The Role of Church Leadership

Church leaders must model personal involvement in missions through prayer, giving, short-term trips, or mentoring missionaries. Leaders should evaluate how missions is reflected in their church’s vision statement, budget, sermon calendar, and ministry priorities. A church budget, for instance, reveals much about where a congregation’s heart lies (Matthew 6:21). Elders and pastors can initiate regular mission-focused Sundays, invite missionaries to speak, and encourage staff to think locally and globally in ministry planning.

Empowering the Next Generation

A missions-minded church invests in raising up the next generation of believers who understand and embrace the mission of God. Equipping the next generation involves providing opportunities for mission involvement, such as short-term trips, mission-focused Bible studies, and service projects. By doing so, the church ensures the continuity of its mission and the multiplication of disciple-makers for years to come. This early exposure helps cultivate lifelong passion and commitment to outreach and service.

Creating a Sending Culture

Every church should see itself not just as a gathering place but as a sending base. The church in Antioch modeled this by commissioning Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3). Becoming a sending church involves identifying, affirming, and supporting individuals whom God calls to serve in cross-cultural missions. This includes raising up missionaries from within the congregation, financially supporting mission partners, and creating a structure for ongoing care and accountability.

Partnering with Missions Organizations

Strategic partnerships can significantly enhance a church’s missions impact. Working with trusted missions organizations allows churches to send workers, access training, and stay informed about global trends and needs. Partnerships can include supporting missionaries, joining short-term mission trips, and engaging in church planting initiatives among unreached peoples. These relationships expand a local church’s influence far beyond its four walls.

At All Peoples Church (APC) in Bangalore, India, we have developed a robust framework to cultivate a missions-minded culture within the church. Our approach encompasses spiritual preparation, practical engagement, and strategic outreach, all aimed at fulfilling the Great Commission. APC emphasizes the importance of spiritual readiness for missions. We organizes structured mission trips across India, providing opportunities for members to serve in various capacities. We also extend the outreach through medical missions, offering spiritual, emotional support to personnel at Christian mission hospitals around the country and we are committed to expanding the Kingdom of God through the Church Planting and Ministry Accelerator Program (CPMAP). Through the above multifaceted initiatives, APC demonstrates a comprehensive approach to becoming a missions-minded church, equipping its members to actively participate in God's local and global mission

Conclusion: Every Church, Every Believer

Becoming a missions-minded church is about aligning every aspect of church life with the call to make disciples of all nations. It is a commitment to reflect God’s heart, obey Christ’s command, engage globally, and empower future generations. Such a church is outward-facing, vibrant, and impactful, fulfilling its true purpose to glorify God and advance His Kingdom.

As Jesus declared, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). May we, as His Church, be found faithful in this calling.