Mere Missions

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is not to focus on social and cultural transformation, but on the “conversion” of individuals . . . to faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life” ( Missions: Rescuing from Hell and Renewing the World ). The goal and task of missions is to win converts to the rule and reign of God’s Kingdom through allegiance to the King of God’s Kingdom. It all begins with the feet of those who bring Good News (Rom. 10.14-15). What the world needs, what the criticalness of the times demand, is proclamation of the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1.16). The world needs to hear in order to have the opportunity to believe. Jesus set a clear pattern on how the Gospel was going to spread when He said to His disciples, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4.43). Jesus and His Apostles clearly place a priority of evangelism above compassion and justice. If anyone is to come to salvation in Christ Jesus, they must hear and receive a clear presentation of the Gospel. Doing a quick read through the book of Acts, one will read that the Apostle Paul did not do one demonstration of justice or compassion (except the miraculous exorcism of the slave girl which was a power encounter) yet disciples were made, and churches were planted throughout the Roman provinces. How? The Apostle to the Gentiles proclaimed the Gospel. The lost come to the obedient faith by confessing Jesus Christ as Lord through the proclamation of the Gospel. Rom. 10.14-17 states is simply, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”