God is a missionary God. That truth flows through Scripture like a steady, unrelenting river (see Isaiah 49:6; Psalm 96:3; Revelation 7:9, 14:6). Yet, in today’s pluralistic world, where different beliefs are considered equally valid, this very idea can make people just a little uncomfortable.
Mission? Evangelism? These words trigger suspicion in a culture where the mantra is “live your own truth.” Anything resembling evangelism is often seen as unwelcome interference, even if we ask, Can your truth deal with your sin, reconcile you to God, and impute the righteousness of Christ to you?
You’ve probably heard the objections: “Bible-bashing,” “Who are you to push your beliefs on others?” or “Why can’t everyone just believe what they want?” It’s the air we breathe, and as the Church, we must face it. But how do we respond, especially in a way that honours God?
First, let’s be honest about our past. There have been moments in Christian history marked by arrogance and coercion (e.g. the Crusades, colonial missions, and the Inquisition). There’s no point pretending otherwise. We confess our failures and seek to make things right where we can.
But let’s be clear—past mistakes don’t excuse us from God’s ongoing mission. Jesus didn’t give us an opt-out clause on sharing the Gospel. Mission isn’t an optional extra; it’s central to following Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus, it’s obvious you’ll want to tell everyone about Him—and that is true for most, but also, regrettably not the actual experience. The intent is there, but sometimes life just doesn’t work out the way we intend or planned.
At Emmanuel Sheffield (my home church), we are convinced that everything we do flows from God’s missionary heart. Planted from Oxford in 2020, we’ve seen His mission take shape in our community—whether it’s through Alpha, football outreach, or Discovery Bible Study (DBS), it’s all about making Jesus known. We’ve engaged in mission and we’ve grown, both in God and in our friendships together.
But it’s not just about our methods; it’s about who Jesus is. He’s not a religious leader among many. He’s not “Jesus the Great” alongside other historical figures. He’s Jesus the Only—Lord of all. His uniqueness demands to be shared. He’s the Saviour who took on our humanity, the King who rules with justice and mercy, and the Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. That’s our motivation!
The missionary nature of God is embedded in the very DNA or core of Scripture. From the beginning, God’s heart has been set on redeeming people from every acre of the world. His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 wasn’t just about one family; it was a promise for all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3, ESV). That promise threads its way through the entire Bible, finding its astonishing fulfilment in Christ.
When Jesus came, He came as the missionary Messiah. His ministry may have started in Israel, but it was always meant to spread; His death and resurrection flung open the doors for the Gospel to reach every nation. And this is where we come in. When Jesus commanded us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), He wasn’t endorsing cultural superiority or pushing Western ideals. He was proclaiming His authority over the entire world—He alone is Lord.
And because God is missional, He has given us the Great Commission, an extraordinary calling that presents both a challenge and an opportunity for us. We are invited to partner with God in His mission—His mission to redeem and restore the world. It is not our mission, but His, and yet He graciously includes us in it. What a privilege to share in such a vibrant and purpose-filled calling!
Then we see the Holy Spirit, the missionary Spirit, break through every barrier, obstacle and hurdle in Acts. Pentecost wasn’t a cosy moment for the Church to enjoy; it was the blazing launchpad for global mission. The Spirit empowered the early believers to carry the Gospel baton from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
And He hasn’t stopped. The same Spirit propels us outward today, past every boundary of culture, language, and geography, driving us to make Jesus known.
So, what about us? As the Church, we exist for the world. As William Temple famously said, “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” Emmanuel Sheffield isn’t here just to give us a spiritual home—it exists to bring the good news of Jesus to the people of Sheffield and beyond.
Whether through Alpha, student ministry, or football on a Monday or weekend, every step we take is about reaching people with the love of Christ. Think football can’t be spiritual? Think again. God uses the everyday moments—the banter, the post-match conversations, the quiet chats over coffee—to open doors for the Gospel.
Here’s the challenge: we all need to get involved, hands dirty. Faith is not a personal thing, it’s for sharing. We have good news, very good news, that demands to be shared! Maybe we need to repent for getting too comfortable, for losing sight of God’s mission. But for every one of us, there’s a fresh call today. Are we willing to be part of what God is doing, both locally and globally? Maybe it’s through prayer, maybe through giving, maybe it’s time to share Jesus with a colleague or a neighbour. Whatever form it takes, we just can’t sit this one out – there’s too much at stake.
As William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, once asked, “How wide is the girth of the world?” When the crowd answered, “25,000 miles,” he replied, “Then we must grow until our arms get right round it.” It’s a big world, but God’s mission is bigger. Let’s grow as a church, spreading the love of Jesus wherever He leads.
May God give us the grace to stretch our arms wider, embrace His world, and boldly share the good news of Jesus—for His glory and the sake of His mission.
