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The primary mission of the church has always and will forever be the evangelization of the world. Throughout the New Testament, there are multiple imperatives that God gives his church to accomplish that reality. Scriptures declare that God has given pastors for the "perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry." One must ask, "What ministry does God want me to engage in?" Is it Awana? Is it music or media? The American mindset of church "ministry" fails when it misses the true mission of Christ’s church. While these ministries can be useful and helpful in our context, if they disregard the undergirding reality of making disciples, they have fallen far short of the Biblical mandate. (Mat. 28:16-20)

J. Gresham Machen writes in his book The Origin of Paul’s Religion, “The Christian movement in 35 A.D. would have appeared to a superficial observer to be a Jewish sect. Thirty years later it was plainly a world religion.”As history has continued throughout the ages, the march of the gospel and expansion of Christianity has greatly increased for the glory of God. From the beginning of time, God has initiated his redemptive plan to save peoples from all nations, tongues, people-groups, and tribes (Rev. 7:9). This redemptive plan has moved forward through a variety of means but now rests in the proactive leading of God and the active engagement of Christ’s church. Scripture indicates the mission of His church: to display the glory of God and declare the gospel to every nation, tribe, and tongue (Is. 56, Matt. 28:18-20, Rom. 15:7-13).

Perhaps one of the best examples of Gospel ministry can be found in the book of Acts chapter 14:

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” Acts 14:21-23

These three verses provide a model that carries on throughout the book of Acts and the remainder of the New Testament.

Gospel proclamation - “they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many”
Communities converted - “Confirming the souls of the disciples"
Churches planted - “And when they had ordained them elders in every church”
Churches nurtured - “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith”

This pattern of Proclaim, Convert, Plant, and Nurture is seen consistently throughout the Scriptures. Therefore, gatherings of believers within a community should be involved in every stage of strategically pushing this gospel mission and model forward. Essentially, every church that takes seriously the Great Commission must take seriously the need to plant more churches that will make disciples who plant more churches.

Jesus Christ will not be stopped in carrying out the promise of Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The promise of the gospel stands, “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14)

- JK