Jim Poitras is the director of education and short-term missions for Global Missions, UPCI. His passion is passing on truth to the next generation while mobilizing and encouraging a global work force to reach others. In this article he makes a case for global evangelism.
Could you do missions without hearing an audible voice? Would it be probable without lightning in the sky, or the roar of a heavenly thunder, and a loud voice yelling at you and you humbly, quietly whispering, “Here I am. You can send me.”
William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, once said:
“‘Not called!’ did you say?
‘Not heard the call,’ I think you should say.”
Without the thunder, lightning, and loud, audible voices, the Scripture is still replete with a mandate to reach the world. It starts in Genesis and spans to Revelation. More Scriptures command us to go rather than beg us to stay. But Romans tells us enough to propel us to go (not to mention five instances of the Great Commission or the great promise in the New Testament).
Not all of us are called to be global missionaries, but we are called to be global Christians. Each of us can give, pray, or go. Click To TweetYou’ve probably heard of the “Roman road” before. It’s a road map pointing people to selected Scriptures about salvation. How about the “Roman road of global evangelism”? Let’s take a gander. It’s here we get a glimpse of our opportunity and responsibility to take the whole gospel to the whole world by the whole church.
Six Scriptures for the Roman Road of Global Evangelism
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). If we aren’t ashamed of the gospel, we will inevitably share it.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). All have sinned. All are lost. The price to pay is spiritual death. No-one is exempt unless they obey God’s Word.
Remember, it’s only good news if it is shared.
We can spread the saving, salvaging truth to others. Remember, it’s only good news if it is shared.
“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7–8). An old Nigerian chorus says, “Jesus surrendered His life for me. What have I done for Him?” We have been rescued! What are we willing to do for Jesus and for others?
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). Not only did Paul have a burden and desire for his own people to be saved, above that, he wanted the Gentiles to be saved.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:14–17). One of the key words here is “how.”
“Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation” (Romans 15:20).
In his article “Goer, Sender, Mobilizer, and Welcomer” Steve Shadrach says, “Most people would be willing to go…but are planning on staying. We need folks who are planning on going…but are willing to stay.”
Not all of us are called to be global missionaries, but we are called to be global Christians. Each of us can give, pray, go, or any combination of those three little one syllable words. Travel the Roman road of global evangelism. Enjoy the trip!
Resources and Links
For a history of UPCI Global Missions, consider Sent!: A History of UPCI Global Missions. You will meet selfless missionaries who bring the whole gospel to the whole world.