And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. – Mark 16:15
Although my family did not go to church, I remember my mother reading The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes to my two brothers and me. We moved several times as I was growing up, and sometimes I asked my mom if I could go to church and she would take me.
When I was in the sixth grade, we moved to Medford, Oregon. There our neighbor came over and invited us to Sunday school. I was a little stubborn and did not go, but about a year later I made friends with another neighbor who also invited me to church, and that time I went.
What I heard made sense to me. I didn’t have a full understanding of how to serve God, but I liked what I heard and continued to go until I finished high school. After graduation I joined the service and, sadly to say, turned my back on what I had learned. But upon returning home I attended camp meeting in Portland and gave my life to the Lord. He has been with me ever since and it has been wonderful serving Him.
Today’s focus verse is a familiar command to Christians to preach the Gospel around the world, but obviously everyone cannot live in a foreign land. However, there is an often-overlooked mission field at home. How many of us can truly say we have worked hard to witness to our neighbors? It is easy to pass by the opportunities which lie just next door. Yet, some have labored in this mission field and have seen good results. We may be able to share Christ through a conversation over the back fence, or invite neighborhood children to Sunday school. Approaching people who are nearly strangers may seem intimidating, but those of us who have benefited from it are so thankful for neighbors who let their lights shine!
Just like a missionary in a foreign land, we have to establish our ministry at home by making contacts with the lost and sharing Christ with them. Let us challenge ourselves to consider every unconverted person a potential convert. If we prayerfully put our best into telling the world—at home—about Jesus, God will bless our efforts.