This is the golden question asked by so many when I tell believers that I am planning to relocate my family and I across seas.

The problem is that I don’t have a good answer.

Sure I can quote the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Or perhaps I can count all of the times “to all nations” is recorded in the Bible. Another way to answer the golden question is to expound on facts like:

42% of the world’s population is in an unreached people group.

Even worse:

17% of the world’s population is totally un-evangelized!

This means they have no knowledge of the Gospel or have never heard the name of Jesus. My problem of not having a solid answer to the golden question is not the dilemma. The heart behind the believers asking the question is the controversy. God’s global promise extends beyond our southern pride, it broadens past our American patriotism, and it breaks right through our western mentality. Jesus did far more than just provide salvation 2,000+ years ago. He launched a movement that provides salvation for all nations (Jew & Gentile). Whether you are a follower of Christ’s teachings or not, even the secular who have read the Bible will agree that Jesus commanded his disciples to break through the Jewish culture and offer salvation to the whole world. We the people need to adopt this same approach to the Gospel. We the people need to break down our cultural differences to further God’s Kingdom. We the people need to unite our resources to fulfill the Great Commission to all nations. We the people have already been “reached” as a Christian nation. I personally have accepted it as my mandate of lasting significance to do my part of spreading the Gospel to those who have never heard it. Oswald Smith sums it up in an awesome quote, “we talk of a second coming, half of the world has never heard of the first”. If spreading the Gospel to every nation is only viewed as a suggestion then where do we stop omitting Christ’s teaching? Should believers stop baptizing? Should we stop taking communion? Should we stop loving our neighbor as ourselves? Of course we shouldn’t! Jesus teachings is NOT a house of cards. In fact,

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock” (Matthew 7:24).

Back to the golden question, why go across seas to be a missionary when so much ministry is needed here in the US? My best short answer is, we are a “reached people”. Especially here in the south where our Christian roots have grown deep. Some believers still disagree, their problem is that opinion is NOT biblical. Some believers might say, “I am not called to be a missionary”, and perhaps you are right. How then are you a part of the Great Commission? We have all seen those long-winded commercials you fast forward through showing a child from a developing nation drinking from a muddy puddle. Most of those organizations just want your money. My wife Amie and I are committing to a minimum of two years of being eye to eye with those who are less fortunate in those developing nations. We are willing to leave our comfort zones here in the US and raise missionary kids overseas. This is a calling that we have chosen to answer with a profound YES! If you are interested in joining us on our journey (even if it is just your prayers) then please feel free to contact Amie or me. We look forward to your comments as well.

 

~ Nate Renard ~

 

“The reason some folks don’t believe in missions is that the brand of religion they have isn’t worth propagating.”      – Unknown