Missions & Evangelism

Grace Bible Church takes seriously Jesus's call to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). The church's mission and evangelism efforts focus on training believers to share the gospel both locally and internationally, recognizing that this Great Commission is the fundamental purpose for every Christian's life.

Understanding the Great Commission

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 provides clear direction for every believer's purpose on earth. As Pastor Blake Jennings explains, this passage represents Jesus's "final marching order" and "job description" for Christians (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 3:03).

The command is not merely for "super spiritual people" or those called to overseas missions, but for all believers (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 0:30). Jesus calls His followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything He commanded (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 3:27).

What Is a Disciple?

A disciple in the Greek context meant complete devotion to a teacher - not just attending classes occasionally, but following that teacher 24/7 with one's whole life dedicated to learning and obeying (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 5:54). The church emphasizes that while becoming a Christian requires faith alone, growing as a disciple requires obedience and sacrificially following Jesus Christ (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 8:44).

The Church's Mission Statement

This biblical foundation has led Grace Bible Church to adopt the mission statement: "We help people find and follow Jesus" (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 7:03). This mission encompasses both helping people find Jesus (evangelism) and follow Jesus (discipleship), both locally and around the world.

Global Missions Focus

The Scope of the Task

God's heart has always been for all nations, as seen in His promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3) (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 11:25). The church recognizes that the ultimate goal is to see people from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before God's throne, as described in Revelation 7:9-10 (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 13:04).

Currently, there are approximately 7,400 unreached people groups representing about 3.2 billion people without ready access to the gospel (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 14:03). To illustrate this need, consider Tunisia with 10 million people but only 1,100 believers - equivalent to having only one church like Grace Bible Church to reach an entire metro area the size of Houston (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 14:34).

Supporting Those Who Go

The church emphasizes two primary ways to participate in global missions during times when international travel may be restricted:

Prayer and Financial Support: Those not going overseas have a responsibility to support missionaries through prayer and giving (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 17:09). Paul describes such supporters as full partners in missionary work, calling their giving "a fragrant sacrifice" and "a fragrant aroma that pleases God" (Philippians 4:18) (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 17:44).

Local Evangelism and Discipleship

Three Spheres of Ministry

The church encourages believers to make disciples in three key areas of their lives (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 19:01):

Where You Live: This includes family, neighbors, and those in your immediate living area. Believers are encouraged to know their neighbors' names, needs, and how to pray for them (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 19:07).

Where You Work or Study: Whether at Texas A&M, Blinn College, or in the workplace, these environments provide key opportunities to be a light and share Jesus through both words and deeds (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 19:49).

Where You Play: God-given hobbies and interests aren't meant to be abandoned but used as doorways to meet people who don't know Jesus. These shared interests often provide natural opportunities for deeper conversations about faith (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 21:19).

The Urgency of the Mission

Pastor Matt Morton emphasizes that while church activities like Bible study and fellowship are good, they are not the primary mission. The church exists because there are people who don't know Jesus, and when everyone knows Him, the church's earthly mission will be complete (The Mission That Matters Most // Matt Morton, 0:01).

Training and Encouragement

Grace Bible Church believes every Christian should experience participating in international missions at some point, whether short-term or long-term (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 16:07). The church provides training and opportunities for believers to grow in their understanding of evangelism and missions, recognizing that this calling extends to every member regardless of their other life circumstances or callings.

The church's approach to missions and evangelism reflects the understanding that God wants much more than just heaven for believers - He wants to train them to be followers of Jesus who raise up new followers, transforming the world and growing God's kingdom (GO Missions // Blake Jennings, 9:22).