Connecting for His coming:

A recent Lifeway Research study revealed more churchgoers serve regularly in their churches than in their communities. According to U.S. Protestant pastors, on average, 42% of adult churchgoers volunteer in their churches, but only 27% volunteer in their communities.”¹

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) is a resounding call to venture forth, make disciples, baptize, and teach. This divine mandate transcends not only the boundaries of clergy and laity but also the divide between the church and the world, compelling all believers to forge meaningful connections within their communities and beyond.

The Lewis Center for Church Leadership affirms, “Churches can no longer open their doors and expect that people will come in. Effective congregations go into the world to encounter those in need of the gospel.”² Jesus’ first words, “ ‘Go therefore,’ ” indicate that we are expected to go and not wait for those in need of the gospel to come to us. Jesus instructs us to fulfill this commission by taking the gospel to all nations and engaging with them; we cannot hope to fulfill our calling otherwise.

The example of the disciples going to various lands and connecting with different people groups supports the idea that we, too, must obediently fulfill the Great Commission. This mandate has always been the calling of God’s people, even from the earliest days.

Commission

The proclamation of the everlasting gospel resonates in Revelation 14:6, 7 as the first angel’s message calls to “ ‘every nation, tribe, tongue, and people’ ” (Rev. 14:6, NKJV). The Greek term ethnos, translated as “nation,” is employed in both Matthew 28:19 and Revelation 14:6, 7.

Throughout the New Testament, this term is often translated as “Gentiles,” referring to those distinct from the Israelites regarding religion and culture. Remarkably, a term historically used by the Israelites to denote separation is the same word God utilizes in two passages concerning the gospel mission to underscore that even those who differ from us in ethnicity, language, or politics remain included as objects of His divine love.

God is calling the church to recognize that all humans are the objects of His love and in need of the gospel. We must not replicate ancient Israel, who shunned the Gentiles, describing them with the term ethnos. In Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus shows us that the mission of salvation encompasses all nations.

The imperative to “ ‘fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come’ ” (Rev. 14:7, NIV) echoes Christ’s mission to bring hope to a suffering world.

Compassion

We cannot expect to bring hope to the world if we are afraid to connect or engage with others who are not like us. People must see in us the spirit of Jesus, showing care for them in their brokenness, loneliness, and pain. This renewed commitment to interconnectedness is not merely a response to a globalized world but a reflection of the Great Commission.

This leads us to the question of what we can do to help our churches connect with the broader community. Pastors need to initiate and encourage open discussions on current community issues and work toward involving all church ministries in addressing some of these concerns, such as hunger; poverty reduction; equal access to housing and healthcare; human trafficking; and emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. The community members must see that the church cares for their well-being.

Over the last four years, at the Berean Transformation Center of Seventh-day Adventists in South Bend, Indiana, I have had the privilege of serving as a community engagement pastor and had the opportunity to guide a driven team of pastoral interns and church members, strategically engaging our community.

Over the past three years, we’ve spearheaded and executed a wide array of community outreach initiatives. With the support of over 200 volunteers, we have coordinated joint pantry operations, facilitated hot food distribution, and provided skills training for residents in low-income neighborhoods. These initiatives have not only addressed immediate needs but also empowered individuals and families to build better futures.

Furthermore, we have worked diligently to establish and nurture partnerships with various stakeholders, including city government officials and nongovernmental organizations. Through these collaborations, we have been able to deliver vital coping skills programs for at-risk youth and offer essential resources to support the working poor in our community.

One of our proudest achievements has been our support of advocacy efforts to secure funding for the launch of a mental health crisis center. Through persistent advocacy and lobbying, we received $2.5 million, ensuring that our community members have access to critical mental health services.³

Additionally, we have recognized the importance of language-inclusive community engagement and have implemented bilingual outreach initiatives to bridge communication gaps between local Spanish and English speakers. By breaking down language barriers, we have created a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Collaboration

Pastors and church ministries can take the following practical steps to engage with their community:

1. Conduct regular community needs assessments. To serve your local community better, it’s essential to assess their needs and challenges regularly. Use statistical data obtained from specialist companies or various levels of government, where available, to analyze community needs comprehensively. Use surveys or interviews, or collaborate with local organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the specific issues that residents face. Additionally, attend community forums or town hall meetings and initiate open dialogues to help address current issues and concerns.
2. Forge partnerships with local entities. Partner with local community organizations, nonprofits, churches, and businesses to address common concerns like hunger, poverty, and healthcare. Create ministry teams that focus on specific community issues to ensure a targeted and systematic approach to problem-solving.
3. Organize awareness campaigns. Raise awareness about prevalent community issues through educational workshops, seminars, and informational materials. Inform people about challenges facing the community and ways to contribute to potential solutions.
4. Implement service projects. Engage in practical projects benefiting the community directly, such as food drives, clothing distribution, or local initiatives supporting vulnerable populations. Foster a sense of community and compassion among participants by encouraging volunteerism.
5. Evaluate and adjust strategies. Regularly assess the impact of church initiatives and seek feedback from both church members and the community. Adapt strategies based on evolving needs and challenges to ensure continued effectiveness.

Connection

As we prepare for Jesus’ soon return, we cannot neglect our duty to the rest of humanity, despite our differences. The attitude of Jonah reflects not only many in ancient Israel but many in modern Christendom. Jonah’s anger at God for sparing the lives of the Ninevites and his eventual lesson with the leafy plant reveals his feelings about people outside his nation of Israel.⁴ This cannot be our attitude.

In embracing the global mandate of the Great Commission, churches must incarnationally engage with their communities, demonstrating a commitment to address needs and foster positive transformation. Through authentic connection, obedience to God’s command, and a renewed commitment to interconnectedness, we can fulfill our mission of spreading the hope and love of Christ to all nations.

Community engagement must be integral and not tangential, compulsory not optional, and inclusive not divisive. This must epitomize those called to proclaim the everlasting gospel and fulfill the Great Commission.