The great commission Jesus gives to all is to "go and make disciples." This is a call that is given not only to pastors, missionaries and evangelists, but to everyone. We are all called to be a light to the world wherever we go, whether to the mission field, the slum areas, the office or even your own communities.
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Many people understand this call as a call to "go out" deliberately to the nations, the far-flung areas and the hard to reach places. However, the actual Greek expression for "go" here is more accurately translated as "as you go."
Jesus' call to go and make disciples is a call to make disciples as you go, which means that as we go about our day-to-day activities in the places that we most frequent, we make disciples. That means that God has called every single believer to be an influence in their respective communities. We can make disciples in our neighbourhoods, our campuses, our gyms and even in our offices.
And while God does call some to leave their current proximity and situations to follow Him to other places and other professions, that's not always the case. Jesus can call some of us to be an influence, an example and a blessing where we currently are now. Yes, there is a mission field out in the nations, the areas of spiritual poverty, in the underprivileged areas and the ghettos, but there is also a mission field in your own backyard.
Another misconception people have about going out and making disciples is that to do so, we must carry Bibles wherever we go and preach to every neighbour or acquaintance that passes you by. And again that can be a call and strategy for some, but not for all.
Sometimes making disciples can look more like building relationships, sharing life, being generous and offering prayer and encouragement. The world needs more believers who will actively engage in relationships and be a light that shines Jesus' example and actions with others. 1 Peter 2:12 says, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Sometimes it can be as simple as inviting people over for barbecues and sharing life, being active in community projects, being extra helpful with small tasks, offering a simple "good morning" greeting and any opportunity that will open other people up to you and your testimony.
The call to go is one that Jesus has given to all, not just a chosen few, and we are all called to go in our unique and special ways. You don't have to leave your city or even your backyard to be a light. You can be a light where you are right now and shine forth the light of Jesus Christ to everyone around you.
