When we think about missions, our minds often drift to faraway places—jungles, villages, or bustling megacities where people have never heard the name of Jesus. While there is certainly a place for international missions, the Great Commission isn’t just a call to go overseas; it’s a command to make disciples wherever we are (Matthew 28:16-20). The truth is, you don’t have to cross an ocean to be on mission; you can start right in your own neighborhood. Every follower of Jesus is called to share the gospel, and there are opportunities to do so all around us.
Why should we be on mission in our own communities?
For starters, Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations, not just other nations (Matthew 28:19-20). We are called to make disciples wherever we are, not just on special occasions. The Great Commission applies just as much to those in our daily lives as it does to those who live far away. Similarly, Psalm 96:3 commands us to “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples” (emphasis added).
There are plenty of people in our own communities in the United States who do not know Christ–even in the Bible Belt of America! While recent research suggests that the decline in Americans who identify themselves as Christians is leveling off, far fewer Americans claim to be born-again Christians in present-day America than decades ago.1
For this reason, our own country is a mission field, just like any country we may travel to for mission trips. As Jesus gave His well-known Sermon on the Mount, He spoke about proclaiming the gospel wherever we are.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
God placed you where you are for a purpose. He can use you every day for His purposes, no matter whether you’re at work, at the gym, at a restaurant or anywhere else in your daily life!
How to live on mission without leaving your zip code
Now that we understand why God calls us to live on mission, how do we do that?
Be intentional in everyday conversations.
Sharing the gospel doesn’t have to be a big production. It can–and should–be something we weave into the regular conversations in our lives. Simply look for natural ways to bring up your own faith in daily interactions. What has Jesus done in your life? 1 Peter 3:15 tells us we should always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that we have. That hope is Jesus, and we should desire to share that living hope with those in our lives! Be prepared to learn about the people God puts in your daily path. Showing genuine interest in others and asking questions to find common ground can easily open the door to gospel conversations.
Use acts of service to encourage conversations.
Serving your community with love is in line with the Bible’s teachings. The Bible certainly encourages good works as an overflow of our gratitude for our salvation (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:17-18) and as a companion to our faith (James 2:14-16). Additionally, Jesus commends those who feed the hungry, welcome strangers, and help the poor (Matthew 25:31-39).
Most communities have a wealth of charities and other organizations that are always looking for volunteers. Often times, meeting physical, tangible needs others have is a way to build a relationship and begin sharing the gospel.
Invest in real relationships.
The Bible clearly commands us all throughout Scripture to love our neighbor (Mark 12:30-31, Leviticus 19:18, Galatians 5:14). Our Creator made us to be relational, and we are naturally drawn to those who show love and care for us. A quote often attributed to Theodore Rooosevelt goes like this, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” A real, authentic relationship allows you the privilege of speaking into someone’s life. Developing intentional relationships can happen a variety of ways:
- Be a good neighbor. Get to know those who live around you. How can you serve or pray for those you live closest to?
- Do you know the names of the neighbors who live on all sides of you? If so, do you know anything else about them? How will getting to know your neighbors on a deeper level change and steer your conversations with them?
- What skills do you have to offer your neighbors? Could you help the nearby widow with yard work? The middle school boy with his jump shot? The high school girl with algebra homework? The young parents with babysitting?
- How can you create opportunities to be in conversation with your neighbors? Do they all hang out at the neighborhood pool at a certain time in the Summers? Can you invite them over for dinner? Could you start a neighborhood group that goes for evening walks?
- Identify the people you see regularly when you’re away from home. How can you build those relationships and begin to introduce Jesus into your natural conversations? If you spend all of your time somewhere you’re surrounded by mature believers, where can you carve out time to go spend time to intentionally interact with people who are not mature believers?
- Could you sit in the bleachers instead of in your car during your daughter’s practice in order to build relationships with the other parents?
- When you’re at a restaurant for your lunch break, could you ask the server how you can pray for him when you’re thanking God for your meal before you eat?
- Is the same cashier always working when you grocery shop? How can you build familiarity and steer that conversation toward things of eternal significance?
- Does your barber know Jesus? What about your manicurist? Your chiropractor?
- Offer to disciple new believers to help them grow in their faith. Discipleship is relational! It’s not just about teaching, but about doing life together God’s way. God gave you your testimony not to keep to yourself, but to use as you help others learn to navigate real life with real faith.
Pray for opportunities and courage.
Sharing the gospel in natural conversation as we go throughout the day is something that takes practice. Make a habit to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) as you go about your day. Pray for the people in your daily path. Pray for your own courage and boldness. Colossians 4:2-6 sets forth an example that we should pray for God to open doors for us to share the gospel with others and that we should speak graciously when those opportunities arise. As you pray for God to open your eyes to the opportunities around you, you should remind yourself to rest in His power for courage. Don’t overcomplicate it! God’s open doors often require us to step into conversations that may feel awkward at first. With practice and prayer, gospel conversations will become a natural part of your life as you allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you.
Your mission field is here.
Being on mission isn’t about geography, but about a willing heart. God has placed us each in this place and time for a purpose. Being on mission at home doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require intentionality and obedience. This week, take one step toward sharing the gospel in your zip code. It can be as simple as serving a neighbor, starting a conversation, or engaging someone you usually walk by without acknowledging.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
