May 18, 2018
One Sunday, after I had spoken about world evangelism, a brother came to me and said, “Why should we be so concerned about people overseas when there are so many lost people here at home?” I replied, “It is true that there are many lost people in our neighborhoods, and we should diligently try to save them. However, our concern should NOT be limited to our neighborhood. Jesus said, ‘Go and make disciples of ALL nations’ (Matthew 28:19). He also said, “Go into ALL the world and preach the good news to ALL creation” (Mark 16:15). According to Peter, “The Lord . . . is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). If we don’t have world vision, we don’t have God’s vision.”
Why, then, do so many Christians avoid the subject of evangelism? There have been times when people got up and walked out of the church building when I started talking about missions. Why? Why do so many WEI newsletters end up in the trash can when they are all about things God is doing through his people all over the world? These things are exciting to Christians whose hearts are in tune with the heart of God. What is the solution to this problem?
Phil Miglioratti has challenged our thinking with the following formula: “The Great Commission plus the Great Commandment added to the Great Commitment, multiplied by Great Collaborations results in Great Communities.” What is he saying? Simply this: When we follow the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and follow the Great Commandment to love God and others as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40), and demonstrate the Great Commitment by loving our enemies and praying for those who falsely accuse us and persecute us (Matthew 5:11, 44), and multiply Great Collaborations by meeting and working together to please God, the result is a Great Community of believers that cover the earth and bring honor and glory to God.
Such a formula ignites a fire in our bones and stirs within us a passion for telling “the Old, Old Story of Jesus and His Love.” We love you.
—Dick and Maudine Ady
