How can we reach all the unreached nations of the world?
If I go as a missionary, I reach one people group, two or three at the most, and only a few people.
If my church adopts a people group we might penetrate deeply into one group.
But what if we can impact unreached people groups HERE, from the USA? I'm not talking about just financially supporting those going to the least-reached (though I strongly advocate that) ... I'm talking about personal involvement.
What if we can do it by just opening our homes and our lives?
If you live in or near a college town, you probably have that opportunity. 60% of international students studying in the US are from the 10/40 window. Many of these are from unreached people groups - even unengaged people groups. 25% of their countries prohibit missionaries. Amazingly, 40% of current world leaders studied in the US at some point - and the State Department estimates 25% of future leaders are currently studying here.
Think campus ministries are reaching them? Think again. Only 10% are touched by campus ministries - and a number of those are already believers. Furthermore, 80% of international students will return home having NEVER visited an American home.
When you add in other international visitors to the US - whether for tourism, asylum, or immigration - the numbers only increase. We can make a difference. We certainly need to give more to reach the unreached - currently only 0.5% of offerings go to those ministries - but our churches have an amazing opportunity for personal involvement as well.
Today, let's pray for the unreached within the borders of the US, as well as for the church to grasp the bigger picture of missions and align its giving accordingly.
(Sources: www.cafe1040.com, personal conversation with international student minister)
My prayer for today: Oh Lord God, you are so creative. Though we haven't gone to the extent You commanded, to the ends of the earth, You have brought the ends of the earth to us. Lord Jesus, I pray for You to reveal this to Christians, individual believers as well as church leaders. We repent of any animosity or prejudice towards immigrants and instead see them for what they are - a harvest within our borders, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who can help with that harvest while they are here. We pray for You to show us how to minister to these precious ones, whether at universities or job sites or down the street. Fill us with Your love, give us the heart to open our homes, and enable us to have discerning hearts to know those who are seeking You. Help us love them all, and guide each one to the next step of discovering You. But for those who are ripe for the Gospel, teach us how to share it effectively and give us welcoming, open churches to receive them. Make our churches look like the throne room, with people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. And shape those believers into missionaries with beautiful feet, carrying the Gospel back to their homelands and reaching the rest of the unreached world. Guide the church so we do not waste this opportunity. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.
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