Last week, our home church had the honor of hosting the IMB’s Sending Celebration.  The IMB (International Mission Board) is based here in Richmond but sends people from churches all over the country.  There were over 70 missionaries being sent out this year, but the coolest part is that one of those families belongs to our church! All of our pastors had spent the past couple weeks reminding us to come out that evening…and my best friend was going to be there, so of course I planned to go.  I had no idea what to expect, and honestly, as I sit here now, I still struggle to find words that can come close to explaining it.

Have you ever been in an auditorium full of people that feel SO strongly for the same purpose–willing to put literally everything on the line to accomplish a common goal?  That’s the kind of passion and manpower that I imagine makes riots in cities so destructive.  Except in this scenario, we weren’t gathering to tear things down, but rather the exact opposite.  We were there because we all loved the Lord and were celebrating those that were answering His greatest calling. To GO and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19)

These families (and some singles) were giving it all up in obedience to the Great Commission. That takes a boldness that I can’t say I necessarily have yet.  Going to a foreign country–oftentimes one without many of the luxuries we are used to here in the states–alone, not knowing the language, facing persecution, and doing it GLADLY.  Listening to each of their testimonies and humble requests for prayer was powerful.  

Singing out to the Lord in praise and praying over these missionaries really had me reflecting on my own heart and motives.  There’s a song that sings about MY Jesus, MY savior, MY shelter, MY comfort–and it really is a beautiful song, but I think that’s as far as it was going for me.  I love Jesus and that He saved ME…but He came for you too! He came for the unborn babies, for the thief on the cross next to Him, for the homeless man begging on the corner, for broken, the hurting, the lost.  And this night broke my heart for the lost.  There are 173,000+ lost people dying everyday.  ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE GOING TO HELL EACH DAY.  If that fact doesn’t knock the breath out of your chest, you may want to reflect on your heart position as well.  And these numbers aren’t just people who have heard and rejected the gospel, but people who have never had the opportunity to hear it! That’s where the onus falls on us.

As believers, we aren’t all called to leave our lives behind and move to some remote village, but we are all called to share the gospel.  It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).  I felt a change in myself that night; I felt an urgency to better equip myself to share the gospel.  I am not ashamed, and I will step out in obedience.

>>>If you are interested in learning more about the IMB, please check out IMB.org