Christ’s statement in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come,” was foundational to Ellen White’s understanding of global mission. She believed that every church member is responsible for reaching the world—that regardless of talents or circumstances, every member should be involved in ministry. She returned to this theme time and again.
For example, in 1902, Ellen White affirmed: “The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being. It opens a field of effort to everyone whose heart Christ has touched.”1
In a sermon to the 1903 General Conference session, published in the General Conference Bulletin, she enjoined her listeners: “Our question is to be, What can I do to proclaim the third angel’s message? . . . It is to be proclaimed to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. How are we to give it?”2
This is still the question every Seventh-day Adventist should ask himself or herself: “What can I do to proclaim the third angel’s message?” Not everyone can go as a cross-cultural or foreign missionary; but those who cannot go can give to foreign missions, pray, or can witness at home, as what Ellen White called “home missionaries.” Only if every Adventist takes personal responsibility for reaching the world will it happen. But only then. There is much for us to do. We need every church member to be involved.
1 Ellen G. White, Education (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1952), 262.
2 Ellen G. White, “Lessons from the Sending Out of the Spies,” General Conference Bulletin, March 30, 1903, 10.
