The Definition and God-Centered Nature of Mission

Mission (derived from the Latin missio, or "sending") refers to the sacred act of dispatching God's followers into the world to disseminate the gospel, cultivate disciples, and expand His Kingdom via speech, action, and presence. In its fundamental essence, mission constitutes the engagement in God's redemptive scheme for people and creation.

In a biblical context, mission encompasses:

• Evangelism --- disseminating the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Discipleship --- cultivating Christians to develop in faith.
• Church planting --- the establishment of religion communities.
• Compassionate service --- embodying divine love through justice, healing, and caring.
• Cultural engagement --- embodying influence and illumination throughout all domains of existence.

Theocentric Mission: A Focus on God

Mission is fundamentally not a human endeavor; it is God's mission (Missio Dei). We participate in what God is already accomplishing in the earth. This is how the mission is focused on God:

1. The Mission Originates from God the Father

God is a God who sends. He sent His Son into the world for its redemption (John 3:16; Galatians 4:4). From inception until salvation, God has been endeavoring to heal His fractured earth.

2. The Mission Exemplified by Jesus Christ

Jesus serves as the quintessential missionary, sent to announce the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43). He lived incarnationally---immersing himself in our environment, culture, and afflictions. His demise and resurrection are the cornerstone of the message we disseminate.

3. Mission is Empowered by the Holy Spirit

The Spirit enables Christians to serve as witnesses (Acts 1:8). The Spirit guides, admonishes, and empowers the Church to transcend boundaries---linguistic, cultural, and religious.

4. The Mission is for the Glory of God

The fundamental objective of the mission is worship---to ensure that all nations exalt God (Psalm 96:3; Revelation 7:9-10). It is not concerned with augmenting our own power but rather elevating the name of Jesus among all nations.

5. Mission Unveils Divine Intent

God's aspiration is for the salvation of all individuals (1 Timothy 2:4). His mission emanates from His compassion, kindness, and justice. Engaging in mission reflects God's character---His compassion, patience, and holiness.

Summary

Mission is not an ancillary endeavor of the Church; it is the essence of God's purpose. We do not create missions; we react to them. God is actively engaged in the world and asks us to participate in His endeavors. Focusing our purpose on God fosters humility, ignites our fervor, anchors our methodologies in prayer and reliance, and guarantees that our objective is the glorification of God, rather than our own prosperity.