“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”
Matthew 28:19
These words of Jesus challenge us today just as they challenged the first disciples. As pastors, we know the Great Commission isn’t just a suggestion – it’s the heartbeat of the Church. Yet in our congregations, we often see a gap between acknowledging this call and living it out.
Here are five transformative ways to help your church members move from hearers to doers of this divine mandate in 2025.
1. Embrace Digital Discipleship
The digital revolution has created unprecedented opportunities for spreading the Gospel. Train your congregation to be effective digital missionaries by:
- Creating dedicated teams for social media ministry
- Hosting workshops on sharing faith authentically online
- Developing a church-wide digital outreach strategy that members can participate in
- Teaching biblical discernment in digital spaces
Remember, every smartphone is now a potential pulpit, and every social media account can be a mission field.
2. Foster Cross-Cultural Connections
In our globally connected world, “all nations” might be closer than we think. Help your congregation build meaningful relationships across cultural boundaries by:
- Partnering with international churches for virtual prayer meetings
- Organizing cultural exchange events with local immigrant communities
- Supporting refugee families in your area
- Creating language learning groups focused on missions
These connections naturally open doors for sharing the Gospel while broadening your congregation’s worldview.
3. Implement a “Each One Reach One” Initiative
Make discipleship personal and achievable by encouraging each member to focus on one person in their sphere of influence. This approach:
- Removes the overwhelming feeling of global evangelism
- Creates accountability through regular sharing and prayer
- Builds confidence in personal evangelism
- Develops deeper, more authentic relationships
Provide monthly training sessions on relational evangelism and celebrate testimonies of transformation.
4. Create Local Mission Opportunities
Help your congregation see that the mission field starts at their doorstep. Develop structured programs that:
- Partner with local schools and community centers
- Serve vulnerable populations in your city
- Address specific community needs
- Provide regular opportunities for hands-on service
When people experience the joy of local missions, they’re more likely to embrace global opportunities.
5. Integrate Missions into Every Ministry
Rather than treating missions as a separate department, weave it into the fabric of every church ministry:
- Children’s ministry can adopt missionary families
- Youth groups can plan short-term mission projects
- Small groups can focus on unreached people groups
- Worship teams can incorporate global worship elements
This holistic approach helps members see the Great Commission as an integral part of their Christian walk rather than an optional add-on.
Moving Forward
As we navigate 2025, let’s remember that the Great Commission isn’t just a command—it’s an invitation to participate in God’s global redemptive work. By implementing these strategies, you’ll help your congregation move from seeing missions as a distant concept to embracing it as their daily calling.
Start small, but dream big. The impact of a fully mobilized congregation, passionate about sharing Christ’s love, is immeasurable. Together, we can make 2025 a year of unprecedented gospel advancement.
Remember, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Let’s equip and inspire those workers to step boldly into their calling.