Motivation for Global Missions

Our goal in missions is to see the name of God glorified throughout the world. This is accomplished as those whom Christ has reconciled (Col. 1:22) amongst every "kindred, lounge, people, and nation (Rev. 5:9)" come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is an unstoppable process. Christ tells us that He will build the church (Matt. 16:18). We are then merely agents or channels of this great grace, humble servants of our sovereign God.

Christ, before ascending up into heaven, charged his disciples to "Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:19-20)." Too often, when reading and applying this text we focus upon the "going," and in doing so, we miss the point of Christ's commission.

Our Lord gives his disciples a clear means of or model with which to accomplish His work. He states that we are to teach all nations. The idea behind this word is that of "making disciples". We are to be disciple-makers -- this is our goal. This is accomplished in two ways: (1) by baptizing; and (2) by instructing.

Thus, the work of making disciples begins with a clear proclamation of the gospel. This task is summed up in the word "baptizing". Upon men being saved and baptized, Christ gives his followers another aspect of this disciple making ministry -- teaching or instructing. This instruction is vital (and often overlooked) if we are to fulfill the great commission. The process of making disciples involves our "going" to share the message of God's grace.

To this end, SBC has sought to send ought missionaries who are seeking to both "baptize and teach" the good news of God's grace through the person of Jesus Christ.