Paul Chitwood, president of our International Mission Board, preached at our church (Forest Hills Baptist, Nashville) last year and shared a shocking statistic. The number 157,690 flashed on the screens of our sanctuary representing the number of people around the world who die on an average day having never heard or believed the gospel.
157,690. Every day. Let that sink in.
It’s hard to fathom. Even more difficult to grasp is the 4.6 billion people globally and the estimated 5 million right here in our own state who remain unreached. Those are huge numbers and it’s very easy for us to get lost in huge numbers to the point of wondering if we really can have any impact. We hear stats like these often and move on from them largely unchanged because it’s hard to quantify it personally.
Try this — take note of the first five people you see next time you’re at the grocery store, at the gym, at your local school or in your neighborhood. As you think of those five people, consider statistically, three or four of those five are likely spiritually lost and unreached by the gospel.
Draw the circle even tighter and think in your own spheres of influence and regular relationship. We are more surrounded by lostness than we often imagine.
As Christians, we know evangelism and missions are vitally important.
We know we are supposed to share our faith, send missionaries, give generously, and pray so that people will be reached with the gospel. But do our personal lives actually reflect these priorities? Or, do we pass off evangelism and missions to someone else or sideline ourselves because we don’t think we can really make a difference?
I am convinced of this truth — we have not taken the Great Commission seriously until we have taken it personally. The Great Commission is not for an elite band of Christ-followers, it’s for all of us! And each one of us living on mission personally has a multiplying effect that can reach our communities, state, nation and world with the gospel!
A question we like to ask in our church is, “Who is close to you, but far from God?” Who are you in relational proximity to that does not have a relationship with Jesus and His church?
Perhaps it’s new neighbors, regular golf buddies, long-time friends, or maybe even family members. What might happen if you focused on praying for, building relationship with, and seeking to share the gospel with at least one of them this year?
Imagine if every Tennessee Baptist did the same thing. Imagine a movement of Tennessee Baptists taking the Great Commission personally by praying for, investing in and sharing the gospel with those that are close to them but far from God. If faith comes by hearing, then that would be a lot of people hearing the gospel and prayerfully that would mean even more saying “yes” to Jesus through our personal witness!
I’m so grateful for the focus on evangelism and baptisms we have had these last 10 years, for the thousands of people who have heard and responded to the gospel, and for the impact that has had on our state. In fact, you’ll be glad to know that this year’s baptisms are already ahead of last year’s! Yet, there are still so many to reach. We can’t let up or tap out now.
You and I may not be able to reach everyone — 4.6 billion and 5 million are huge numbers. But by God’s grace, prayerfully, we can reach someone with the gospel! How do we reach our state and beyond for Jesus? One life at a time! Let’s take the Great Commission seriously by taking it personally and encouraging every Tennessee Baptist to do the same.
Who’s close to you, but far from God? Let’s pray, invest and share and see what God does! B&R — Hardwick is senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Nashville.