Category: Kingdom of God

There is Power in the Blood of Jesus

There is Power in the Blood of Jesus

daltonjenkins

As we enter this Easter season in 2026, I find myself reflecting deeply on the cultural climate in which we are living. So much is happening around us. There are rapid changes in society, shifting religious thought, and in many places a diminishing commitment to truth. We are living in a serious moment, a time when clarity is urgently needed.

One of the realities of our day is the rise of social media and the influence it has created. Many voices now shape public conversation, not because they have demonstrated faithfulness, theological depth, or a proven ability to defend the faith, but because they have gained visibility and influence online. In many cases, those who are now leading religious and moral conversations have not been tested, grounded, or validated in the way Scripture would require. Paul reminded Timothy to be diligent, rightly dividing the word of truth. Yet today, popularity is often mistaken for authority.

At the same time, the ease and reach of social media have also exposed the ways in which worship itself has been diluted, commercialized, and in some cases distorted. We are seeing behaviors that call to mind the moment when Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers, calling the people of God back to the purity, holiness, and true purpose of worship. Worship is not performance. It is not entertainment. It is not self-promotion. It is about Christ.

Because of this, many are turning away from the faith, while others are watering down the gospel in order to fit the spirit of the age and become the next influential voice on the internet. That is why this Easter season is such an important time to remind ourselves of who we are, what we are called to, and what we are expected to proclaim.

We must remember that the human story was broken in the Garden of Eden. Because of the fall, sin, death, and corruption entered the world. Humanity stands under the reality of separation from God. But thanks be to God, that is not the end of the story. In Jesus Christ, we have received the gift of eternal life. Easter is the season in which we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice, the full payment for sin, and the glorious redemption that came through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

That is why this Easter, I want us to focus on the blood of Jesus—why it is so important, and what it has accomplished for us. Many people today are comfortable with religious language. They say, “I love God,” or “I give God the glory.” But as believers, we must go deeper than platitudes. We must be able to make distinctions. As Peter teaches, we must be ready always to give an answer for the hope that is within us. We must be able to distinguish between the true and living God and the many false gods of this world.

When people say they believe in God, the question must be asked: which god? For there are many objects of worship in this world, but there is only one true God—the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, the uncaused First Cause, the One who spoke all things into existence out of nothing. That God became man in the person of Jesus Christ, walked among us, and lived a sinless life so that He might become the perfect sacrifice for our sins and complete the work of redemption.

During this Easter season, we remember that Jesus was crucified, that He died on the cross, that He was buried in a borrowed tomb, and that early Sunday morning He rose again—not in weakness, not in defeat, but in power and with all authority. He ascended into heaven, and before He departed, He gave us a promise: that He is coming again for those who believe in Him.

And what does it mean to believe in Him? It means more than acknowledging His name. It means recognizing that we are sinners in need of saving grace. It means understanding that apart from Him we are lost, condemned, and without hope. But through the grace of God—His unmerited favor—we have been given the opportunity to be forgiven, redeemed, and to live with Him forever.

That is why we call Him Savior. That is why He is the Head of the Church. That is why He is our living hope. And one day, all who truly belong to Him will live and reign with Him as He has promised. The blood of Jesus is powerfully effective in accomplishing redemption, forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, and sanctification for those who believe. When theologians describe the blood of Jesus as “efficacious,” they mean that Christ’s sacrificial death is effective in accomplishing salvation and the benefits of redemption. In Christian theology, several other doctrinal terms are used to describe the power, function, and results of Christ’s blood. Below are the most common theological descriptors.

So let me say to you plainly this Easter season: you are missing the very heart of life if you have not entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you follow any god that denies Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, and the only way of salvation, then you remain outside of the hope of eternal life. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.”

So if you say you believe in God, then I ask you: what God do you believe in?

This Easter, let us turn our hearts again to Christ—Emmanuel, God with us—the One who brought salvation to the world.

The Choice That Defines Our Eternity

The Choice That Defines Our Eternity

daltonjenkins

You have ran out of time!

We all stand at a crossroads in life, faced with a decision that will shape our eternal destiny. The gospel of Jesus Christ extends a universal invitation to every person, regardless of their background, status, or nationality. This invitation demands a response from each of us – will we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or turn away from Him?

The message of salvation isn’t reserved for a select few. As John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This love encompasses everyone, from the highest mountains to the deepest valleys, from the bustling cities to the remote villages. No matter where you are or what you’ve done, God’s offer of salvation is available to you.

But this universal offer doesn’t always receive a warm welcome. For some, the gospel is offensive, challenging their pride and disrupting their way of life. We see this reflected in the stories of the Herodian dynasty – Herod the Great, Herod Agrippa I, and Herod Agrippa II. Each had the opportunity to embrace the truth, yet their responses serve as cautionary tales for us today.

Herod the Great, upon hearing of Jesus’ birth, sought to destroy Him out of jealousy and fear. How often do we, like Herod, resist the gospel because it threatens our perceived control or status? The message of Jesus calls us to surrender our lives to Him, which can be uncomfortable for those accustomed to being in charge.

Herod Agrippa I, basking in the adulation of the crowd, accepted their praise as if he were a god. His pride led to a swift and terrible end. This serves as a stark reminder that our accomplishments, wealth, or status mean nothing in the face of eternity. As Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, declared – all is vanity. The degrees on our walls, the balance in our bank accounts, the titles before our names – none of these can save us or grant us eternal life.

Finally, we come to Herod Agrippa II, who heard the powerful testimony of the Apostle Paul. Paul shared his dramatic conversion experience, how a light from heaven knocked him to the ground and changed his life forever. Yet even in the face of this compelling account, Agrippa’s response was lukewarm: “Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian.” How many of us today are in danger of being “almost persuaded,” yet never taking the final step of faith?

The stories of these three men remind us that regardless of our position or background, we all face the same choice. Will we embrace the gospel, or will we let our time run out?

Life is fragile and unpredictable. None of us know when our last day will come. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” We cannot outsmart death or delay it indefinitely. No amount of wealth, influence, or cosmetic procedures can change this fundamental truth.

So what should our response be to this urgent message? The apostle Paul gives us the answer in 2 Corinthians 6:2: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” We must not delay or procrastinate in our decision to follow Christ.

Some may be tempted to hide behind excuses or generational curses, believing they’re destined for a certain path because of their family history. But the gospel offers us a new identity and a fresh start. We can claim the blessings of God, declaring like the Psalmist, “I am blessed in the city and blessed in the field, blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out.”

Others might feel unworthy or too far gone for God’s grace. But remember, the gospel reaches everyone – kings and prisoners, Jews and Gentiles, the rich and the poor. No one is beyond the reach of God’s love and forgiveness.

For those who have already accepted Christ, this message serves as a reminder of the urgency of our mission. We must use every opportunity to share the good news, regardless of the response we might receive. Like Paul standing before Agrippa, we should be ready to give an account of our faith, speaking the truth in love even when faced with ridicule or opposition.

As we reflect on this message, let’s consider our own response to the gospel. Are we fully committed to following Jesus, or are we like Agrippa – almost persuaded but still holding back? Are we allowing pride, fear, or worldly concerns to keep us from embracing the truth?

Remember, our time on this earth is limited. We don’t know when our last day will come. The invitation to salvation is open now, but it won’t be available forever. As Joshua challenged the Israelites, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Will you choose to follow Jesus, accepting His offer of forgiveness and eternal life?

Don’t let your time run out. Don’t be content with being “almost persuaded.” Take that step of faith today. Embrace the love and grace that God offers freely to all who will receive it. Your eternity hangs in the balance.

For those who have already made this decision, let this be a call to action. Who in your life needs to hear this message? Who might be running out of time? Stand in the gap for them, pray for them, and share the hope that you’ve found in Christ.

In the end, nothing else matters as much as our response to Jesus. Our degrees will gather dust, our accomplishments will be forgotten, but our decision to follow Christ will echo through eternity. Don’t let your time run out. Choose Jesus today.

https://subsplash.com/u/betheltempleofpraise-yon/media/d/j4nypg4-your-time-has-ran-out

Jesus’ Imminent Return: Are You Ready?

Jesus’ Imminent Return: Are You Ready?

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Jesus is Coming Back: Are You Ready to Meet Him?

In a world filled with uncertainty and chaos, there’s one truth that stands unwavering – Jesus Christ is coming back. This isn’t a fairy tale or a distant dream, but a certain reality that demands our attention and preparation. As believers, we’re called to live with an acute awareness of this impending return, allowing it to shape our daily lives and decisions.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” Jesus assured His disciples. These words, spoken over two millennia ago, still resonate with power today. In the face of global turmoil, personal struggles, and spiritual warfare, we’re reminded that our hope isn’t rooted in this world, but in the promise of Christ’s return.

Jesus spoke of going to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house. This isn’t just any dwelling, but a home with “many mansions.” Imagine the grandeur and beauty of a place prepared by the Creator of the universe! No matter how humble our current circumstances, we have the assurance of an eternal residence that surpasses anything this world can offer.

But here’s the crucial question we must ask ourselves: Are we ready to meet Him?

This readiness isn’t about having our affairs in perfect order or achieving some level of spiritual perfection. It’s about the condition of our hearts and the authenticity of our faith.

Are we living each day in anticipation of His return? Or have we become so entangled in the cares of this world that we’ve lost sight of our eternal hope?

The Bible speaks of a great “falling away” that will precede Christ’s return. We’re witnessing this today as many turn from the faith, embracing false teachings and worldly philosophies. But for those who remain steadfast, there’s an incredible promise – we will meet the Lord in the air!

Picture the scene described in 1 Thessalonians 4: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” This won’t be a quiet, unnoticed event. The trumpet will sound, piercing through the noise of this world, awakening those who sleep in Christ and calling the living believers to join Him.

In that moment, our mortal bodies will be transformed. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” This corrupted flesh will give way to incorruption, and death will be swallowed up in victory!

But here’s a sobering truth – not everyone will experience this glorious transformation. Jesus made it clear: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” There’s no ambiguity in His words. Salvation and eternal life are found in Christ alone.

This exclusivity of the gospel might seem narrow-minded to some, but it’s the loving truth we’re called to proclaim.

Good deeds, religious rituals, or philosophical enlightenment can’t bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a Holy God.

Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins and reconcile us to the Father.

So, how do we live in light of Christ’s imminent return? Here are a few key points to consider:

  1. Check your spiritual passport: Just as we need valid documentation for international travel, we need to ensure our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This isn’t about riding on someone else’s faith or relying on past religious experiences. It’s about having a personal, living relationship with Jesus Christ.
  2. Live with urgency: The early church greeted one another with the phrase “Jesus is coming soon.” Let’s recapture that sense of anticipation, allowing it to infuse our daily lives with purpose and zeal for the gospel.
  3. Pursue holiness: If we truly believe Jesus could return at any moment, it should motivate us to live holy lives. As the scripture says, “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).
  4. Share the hope: The reality of Christ’s return isn’t just good news for believers – it’s a wake-up call for a world lost in darkness. We have the privilege and responsibility of sharing this hope with others.
  5. Stay alert and discerning: Jesus warned of false prophets and deceptions in the last days. We must be grounded in God’s Word, able to distinguish truth from error, and not be swayed by every new spiritual fad or teaching.

As we reflect on the certainty of Christ’s return, let’s also remember the comfort it brings. For those who are in Christ, death has lost its sting. The grave is not our final destination. We have the assurance that whether we’re alive or have fallen asleep in Jesus, we will be united with Him for eternity.

This hope isn’t just a crutch for the weak or an escape from reality. It’s the bedrock of our faith, giving us strength to endure trials, motivation to live righteously, and joy in the midst of a troubled world.

So today, let’s echo the prayer of the early church: “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!” Let’s live each day as if it could be the day of His return. And let’s share this glorious hope with a world desperately in need of good news.

Are you ready to meet Him? If not, today is the day of salvation. Don’t harden your heart. Respond to His invitation of grace and ensure that when the trumpet sounds, you’ll be among those rising to meet the Lord in the air.

Jesus is coming back. This same Jesus who walked the dusty roads of Galilee, who died on the cross for our sins, and who rose triumphantly from the grave – He’s coming again. Not as a humble carpenter’s son, but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Let this truth stir our hearts, motivate our actions, and fill us with hope. For those in Christ, the best is truly yet to come!

https://betheltempleofpraise-yon.subspla.sh/w2zpctg

https://subsplash.com/u/betheltempleofpraise-yon/media/d/w2zpctg-jesus-is-coming-back-are-you-ready-to-meet-him

Happy New Year!

daltonjenkins

10 year anniversary.004In 2014, how could one truly and radically live out the mission of the Church?  We still have a lot of work to do, and we must earnestly advance the mission of the Church. The Church has to recognize that their primary mission is to advance the Kingdom of God. Jesus prayed for the Church in John 17:11-17:

“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me… I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

The Gospel must be preached! I have made a decision to move forward declaring the Gospel. The Gospel is truly ‘good news’ because the events of Jesus’ ministry are the fulfillment of God’s loving decision to heal the broken creation.

In 2014, as we advance the mission of the Kingdom of God, we must maintain a solid biblical foundation.  With the changing cultural environment of our time truth has taken on a relative nature, if not a back seat. The Scripture is being viewed as less authoritative than previous years.

It is quite evident that whenever there is a lack of Biblical foundation and structure there is a potential to wander away from the message of the Bible and the structure of the Church. We must hold to the teachings of the Scriptures without compromise. The heart of the bible is the Gospel Message.

During this period of Church history, we must rely on The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directs the Church. The Holy Spirit equips and empowers the Church to serve and to proclaim the Gospel. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be carried away in this period of relativity.

There is a deliberate effort to devalue and destroy!

There is an effort to reduce the Bible to less authoritative and outdated. There is a spirit of division that has entered into the church. I pray that in 2014 we deliberately make an effort to unite and hold up the authoritative nature of the Bible. This disunity and lack of biblical authority has allowed the desecration of the sacred. There is a deliberate effort to desecrate the sacred. Is this a result of those who are supposed to guard the sacred have left it open in the name of:

1) Quantity instead of quality,

2) “Delicious instead of nutritious”

3) Conforming instead of transforming

4) Imitators instead of leaders

5) Talkers instead of doers

6) Appeasers instead of truth-tellers

7) Political correctness instead of biblical boldness

8) Popularity instead of prophetic purity

9) Celebrity instead of shepherding

10) Acceptors instead of defenders

2014 will be a year of decisions. Joshua declared, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. What will your decision be in 2014? Will you conform or will you transform. There is no hiding. You will have to make a decision.

We must not sacrifice the gospel message in the name of being accepted in the eyes of the world. In 2014, I make a decision to more forward in advancing the cause of Christ!

Happy New Year!!!

Dr. Dalton Jenkins

Let Us Rise and Build

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The theme for consideration this year is “I will Rise and Build”. The scriptural focus is on Nehemiah 2:1-7.  Nehemiah personally answered the call and made the determination that he would rise and build and then was able to challenge the remnant of Israel in verse 18 to let us rise and build.

Often times it is easier to answer a call to action when others are joining or have answer a similar call.  Others will act alone if there is something in it for them.

However, the challenge this year is a personal one. Who will answer that call that Bill Haybels call, “Holy Discontent”?  This he said is when something wrecks you from the inside, when your spirit will not rest until you respond to the call.

During this year’s convention we are focusing on the individual call to build.  Nehemiah was in a secure job that carries certain risk but it was a prestigious position.  Upon hearing the news of the destruction of the old city he was moved to act.  It is this initial conviction that placed him in a position to be able to encourage others to act.  As Christians, we have to first accept the challenge and then act on the challenge, if we are going to be effective at encouraging others to act.

This was not a hasty action, one that was not properly informed.  Nehemiah counted the cost. Ultimately, the decision he made could have cost him his life, but he was willing to take the chance.  This move was not for selfish motive but to accomplish the mission of God (redemption-restoration of a broken relationship).  Answering the call of God is worth the risk all the time.

I believe we are living in a time when the motivation to stand alone, on principles, seemed to be abnormal.  However, I have a strong feeling that many are standing alone but are not in the limelight. It will take a conviction of the Holy Spirit to motivate us to abandon our individual pursuits in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives.  What is holding you back from answering that “Holy Discontent”?

Ten years ago I felt this “Nehemiah Unction”.  I could not resist and I could not rest until I answered that call.  The result of that call is this church and this ninth year celebration. Those who are members and regular attendees have also answered that unction and today we reflect and celebrate God’s goodness together.

Many lives have been changed and have experienced that call to come up higher. Yes, it is because others answered the call why we celebrate today. Lives have been changed because you and I answered the call to “Rise and Build”.  Like Nehemiah you have left something or someone to follow God and today we rejoice together.

My prayer this year, is that we all look with ourselves and respond to the challenge of the Holy Spirit.  There is a lot of work to be completed and the challenge ahead is great but God can use a committed heart to do extraordinary feats.  I am praying that the power of the Holy Spirit will cause a “Holy Discontent” within our souls until we get up and act on the call of God on our lives.

What will stir our hearts right now to action? Right where you are what do you see and hear that will cause you to move?  What does God has to do to get you to move?

Individually, we have to see the need and make up our minds that we are not going to delay anymore, even if we are the only one-we will act.  We will not wait on anyone else to act but we will sacrifice everything to be where God wants us to be and to do what God wants us to do.

After Nehemiah answered the call he was able to challenge others to build. If together we are going to build, then individually we have to rise and build.

This year, this is an individual challenge.

Kingdom People Living By Kingdom Principles – Part 4

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When one finds meaning to life, he or she will find it easier to deal with issues of death and dying, pain and suffering. The pastor has to take the lead role in helping to change the pre-conceived notions about end of life issues of the community, beginning with the congregants.  Since the average life span is increasing, the pastor should play a more active role in educating the congregation about these issues.   The internal structures and systems of the church have to include pastoral care with emphasis on end of life and death and dying issues. We have to become “missional” from a holistic framework without losing the basic understanding of mission as laid out in the Bible, addressing the body, soul, and spirit. The individual has a soul, which we are preparing to meet God in eternity, but he or she also has to live in this life and both body and spirit need to be ministered to, thereby completing holistic missions.  When the structures and systems of the church are addressed from a holistic point of view, then the church will be more successful in bringing the Gospel Message to the community.  This message is wrapped in the principle of love; we must love God and love each other.  Jesus said that if we do not love, then we are not His children.  This is important because it is only the children of God that will inherit eternal life with God.  John wrote in his epistle in 1 John 4:20, “If someone says, ‘I love God’, but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?” This principle of love is critical to the understanding of the missional church.

The challenge as to how to be truly missional requires those persons who consider themselves to be disciples to engage their communities in their everyday lives.  This has posed a challenge to the church: how will missions and being missional in the 21st century be different from the 1st century to the 20th century? How can one truly and radically live out the mission of the Church? To capture the full essence of missions, we should look:

1) To raise awareness by helping to clarify the nature of the structures and practices of the church relating to its missional focus;

2) To develop a better awareness of local missions;

3) To develop a process that will assist persons to live out the mission by engaging their communities.

The idea of being missional is not about the church coming up with some program and fancy name, but more so, it is about understanding the needs of the community – spiritual, social, financial – and how to live in ways that can help transform the community.  Every person must begin at his or her own doorstep.  According to Dave Black, the practical application of missionary congregations is actually to “live out their spiritual life not only as the Church, but also as God’s people in the world.[1]”  According to Rick Warren, “The Church is God’s people living in this world and acting as catalysis for change.”[2]  The Church’s basic mission is to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God; this message has social and political aspects to its application.  We are called, commissioned, and authorized to go with the gospel.  This is the fundamental responsibility of the Church, but this message is holistic, and affects the total person: body, soul, and spirit.

[1] Dave Black is currently Professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. http://www.daveblackonline.com/why_church.htm, Accessed 6/2010.

[2] Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Church, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), 238-40.

Kingdom People Living By Kingdom Principles – Part 3

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Part 3

As the Church develops a comprehensive and practical understanding of missions, this will propel Christians to act out their missional call.  For example, this message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ transforms not only Cornelius, but his entire family, and Peter as well, as stated in Acts 10.  God was the underlying connection between Peter and Cornelius.  God is both sending the seeker, Cornelius, and preparing the messenger, Peter the missionary, the disciple.  This circle of missions is the thrust of the project; it begins with the call of the Church and then the commissioning of the church.  As the Church carries the gospel to the world the Church is being transformed and then is re-commissioned.

Refocusing the mindset and view of missions requires change.  In order to foster a new paradigm we must deal with the issue of change within the Church with regards to the understanding of missions.  How does understanding the theology of change contributed to this process?  Theology of change refers to the understanding of all aspects of change and the philosophy that is buried in this word “change”.  We have to consider several aspects of change but will maintain as the foundation, what I term, the Circle of Missions.  This involves looking at the community where the work of missions is carried out, the congregation where training is done and the core (people) that is doing the work of missions.   Change is the agent that gets one from one quadrant to the next, form community to the core.

While there are many stories of individuals throughout Church history that have demonstrated a holistic approach to missions; our time is not void of individuals that are continuing this process.  These individuals are demonstrating in practical ways the Biblical understanding of missions and the Kingdom of God.  They are from different backgrounds and operate in different parts of our culture but are stirred by the Holy Spirit to carry out God’s mission.  Lives are being transformed and the Kingdom is expanding.  The application of Biblical missions will result in transformation, growth, and will bring glory to the name of God.

The Church must take the lead in being holistic in its approach to mission.  Fulfilling the call of mission requires the Church to approach this call from a holistic point of view.  The Church has done an excellent job in preparing people for the afterlife; but one of the areas in which we are lagging behind is preparing the church for end of life experiences and even traumatic experiences.  In order to address these issues adequately there has to be a deliberate effort taken to look at the religious structures and spiritual practices at work in the context of the community the church is ministering.  I believe issues of death and dying, euthanasia and Advance Directives as discussed by Dr. Martha Jacobs[1] in her book a Clergy Guide To End Of Life Issues is important as it relates to missions.

[1] For an informed discussion on end of life issues and information to assist the pastor in educating the church read Martha A Jacobs book, Clergy Guide to End-Of-Life Issues, (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2010), 17.

Kingdom People Living By Kingdom Principles: The Call of Missions, A Holistic Approach

daltonjenkins

The challenge to be truly missional requires that persons consider themselves to be disciples, and begin to engage their communities in their everyday life, to be incarnate.  This has posed a challenge to the church and seeks to answer the question: how will missions and being missional in the 21st century be any different from the Colonial Periods? The challenges that seem to be facing the Yonkers churches are similar to those which face the North American Churches.[1] Some of these challenges are diversity of the harvest, an increasingly large harvest, lack of harvesters, lack of focus in the Church, a dying Church and an unclear presentation of the Gospel. In the Book of Luke chapter 10 verse 2 it reads, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  This was Jesus’ view of the many souls that were not saved.  This picture is true today of the North American Church and begs the question “Has the Church lost its focus of the Great Commission?”  Many churches are declining, and even dying, while the ‘unchurched’ population is increasing.  Ed Stetzer and Mike Dobson state that three denominations – Assemblies of God, Nazarene, and Southern Baptists – all reported a decline in their membership.[2]  While many churches in these denominations are growing the greater portion is declining.

We do not have to travel miles and overseas to some foreign country to locate the mission field.  Right here, literally in our backyards, the world has come to us, as Sadiri Joy Tira, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization senior associate for Diasporas, said, “The world has become borderless.”[3]   The next challenge that Jesus identified was that the laborers are few (Luke 10:2).  Many churches lack disciples or self-feeders (Christ-centered persons) that are harvesters.  According to Ed Stetzer and Mike Dobson in the book entitled Come Back Churches, 70 to 80 percent (70-80%) of North American Churches are in decline and 3,500 to 4,000 U.S. churches close their doors every year.   To be truly missional requires a holistic approach that includes the Great Commandment, Great Commission and the Great Compassion, this I call “The Circle of Mission”.  It is about ministering to the total person and requires an investment into person’s lives of our time and our finance.

[1] In their book Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples, Geiger, Eric, and Thom S. Rainer, researched and present a clear and detail picture of the North American Church community.  The book is published by Kiev Russia: B&H Publishing Group, 2006.

[2] Mike Dodson,  and Ed Stetzer in their Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can, Too evaluated 300 churches that were declining and undertook a process that led to their turn around.  The book is published in New York by B&H Books, 2007.

            [3] Sadiri Joy Tira, “Evangelism vs. Missions” Christianity Today, July 2010.