Toongabbie Anglican Church Blog

Weekly Blurb

World Mission, World Church

Sunday 9 March, 2008 · Posted by Ben Atwood

There are about six-and-a-half billion people living in 238 countries across the world today. Of this, it is estimated that about two billion call themselves ‘Christian’ (however they define it) – however, the actual number is very likely much smaller than that. At the very least, that leaves at least four-and-a-half billion people to be reached!

It is also estimated that there are about 450,000 cross-cultural missionaries serving the Lord in countries other than their home country at any one time. Though the Western world is becoming more sceptical and hostile towards the idea of ‘world mission’ as conducted by missionaries, these workers do an important task.

We are joined today, and for the next six days, by CMS missionaries Mark and Carol Grieve and their two children, Jayden and Daniel. Mark and Carol will be sharing with us throughout the week about their experiences as a missionary family, and about the work God is doing through them and others as they serve in Johannesburg, the economic capital of South Africa. Mark and Carol have been in Johannesburg for many years, serving amongst the culturally-diverse students of the University of Johannesburg and the homeless youth in their area.

In Matthew 28:18-20, we read of the famed Great Commission given by Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection, in which Jesus tells them (and us!) to ‘go and make’ disciples. The emphasis is not just on the ‘go’ (as the person who does not have faith in Christ can do this just as well as we can), but on the ‘making’ of disciples. We are, in many ways, all missionaries of the gospel together, as we share the task of taking God’s Word of forgiveness to people everywhere.

Can I encourage you to keep praying for the Grieves, and for missionaries across the world, as we hear about what God is doing in South Africa? World mission is an enormous task to which we have been called, and our great God is using so many people to mobilise the gospel both here and overseas. 

Ben Atwood

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