What remains to be done?

God is doing great things in the world today! Yet, there is still much to be done! I'd like to try to give you an idea of the mission field in 2010. These statistics need to challenge us but not scare us. If you believe the Bible, and I do...every word...then we can be encouraged by what it says:

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Rev. 7:9-10

The Bible is very clear, time and again, that people from every nation, tribe, people and language will be in Heaven, worshipping at the throne of our Lord. But for this to happen, there are still many more nations and people groups that need to be reached.

God created each person precious in His sight! And each one needs to be precious in our eyes. I remind myself that each person was someones little baby, some mother held that child, just like I hold my own, and dreamed dreams, made wishes and said prayers for that child as she gazed lovingly down into its face. Each person's life has just as much importance and significance as my own daughters or son. Yes, they speak a different language, eat different foods and most likely live in a much different, poorer lifestyle than my own. Yet, they have the same hopes and dreams for themselves and their children. 

But imagine...a life with none of the hope that comes from knowing Jesus as our Savior. I can't imagine that. I was born hearing the name of Jesus from my parents' lips. I have never known a day that I didn't know the Lord. But there are so many...so very many people just like us who have NEVER even heard the name Jesus. This has got to break our hearts and get us to act!

I have compiled a list of statistics that describe the state of the mission field today. These stats come from the books 2020 Vision by Bill and Amy Stearns and the Church is Bigger Than You Think by Patrick Johnstone. I highly recommend both of these books!

- Generally speaking: 10% of world population of approx. 6 billion are committed Christians; 20% are nominals Christians; 40% are non-Christians living in people groups where there are churches and a Christian witness; 30% of the world population are unreached/unevangelized people (approx. 2 billion people)

- 97% of the unreached live in the “10/40 Window” which encompasses Northern Africa, Southern Asia and the Middle East...to reach the unreached, we must reach the 10/40 Window! I'll talk more about the 10/40 Window in my next blog.

- There are 6,600 Unreached / Least-Reached ethnic people groups out of 16,300 total groups in the world. (“Unreached - Least-Reached” is defined as less than 2% evangelical individuals and less than 5% Christian adherents in the people group.)  A people group is defined as a group of people who have a distinctive language and culture from those around them.

- 3,700 of these Unreached / Least-Reached groups are small, under 10,000 in population, so the task isn’t as large as it first appears.

- Approximately 70% (4.6 billion) of the world’s population have heard the gospel in some form. Unfortunately, 30% (2 billion) have had virtually no exposure to the gospel message.

After looking at those statistics, there are so many people who still need to hear the Good News of Jesus. But why are we to complete the task? Why not let someone else do it or just let God do it Himself?

Not because it is our duty, though it is.

Not because it will bring eternal life to many, though it will.

Not because it will improve the living conditions of the poor, though it will.

Not because it will improve stability in the world’s institutions, though it will.

Not because it will improve environmental stewardship, though it will.

Not because we will be rewarded in Heaven, though we will.

We should disciple the nations because Jesus is worthy to receive their honor, glory and praise.

Yes, He is so worthy!!! More worthy than anything else I could spend my time on!

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Rev. 5:12