“Reverse Mission” is our new reality according to our New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society (NZBMS)
Within Protestant expressions of church, the idea of “mission” has centred on the West sending servants to the field in other “less-developed” nations. The idea of “sending” developed in the late 18thC, flourished in the 19th, and came under increasing pressure in the 20thC.
Today, Christian workers from the global South and East are moving to evangelise the post-Christian West. Newer mission movements are now contributing tens of thousands of workers from Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia, notably South Korea, and more recently, the Philippines.
A new reality we need to grasp is that the primary human instrument for mission is the local church in the neighbourhood. The primary witness to the gospel of the Kingdom is no longer dependent on individual cross-cultural servants, but rather, local worshipping communities of disciples (the church).
So, let’s get amongst it Connect! What simple new venture would you like to initiate that brings gospel renewal to our neighbourhood? Please support the outreach activities we have started already. Invite someone to our fortnightly healing meetings and attend with them. Invite a friend to play at our monthly music event, or to be a part of the audience. Participate in our next community working bee. Or perhaps just invite your neighbour in for a cup of tea. Each bit of “sowing” is important to God. Happy gardening. 😊
About Pastor Julie
I’m passionate about the church – building believers up in their faith, to be all God intended them to be; and I’m passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with people who don’t know Him yet.