Organization’s ‘Unfinished’ Magazine Features Renewed Emphasis on Reaching Groups with Little Access to Gospel At Home, Abroad
NORCROSS, GA — “Least reached people” are often considered those
without written or oral scriptures in their own language, often
overseas. But the world’s “least reached” can also be found in the
heart of the United States, in immigrant communities or the inner
cities, where residents have no Christian believers in their lives.
The Mission Society, which deploys Christian missionaries across the
globe, has re-examined its mission and re-affirmed its roots to reach
the “least reached” with the gospel. In the current issue of “Unfinished,”
the organization’s publication, ministry leaders explain a newly
galvanized attention on reaching those who have never really learned who
Jesus is.
“In the past, mission organizations have talked more about unreached
people groups,” says the Rev. Dick McClain, president and CEO of The
Mission Society. “But we’ve chosen to use the language of least reached
people groups, because it is a relative term, one we can all relate
to…. We all need to be thinking strategically about those areas and
population segments in our communities that may have little access to
the good news.”
The Mission Society prepares and sends missionaries, of late with a
heightened priority on reaching those overseas who have little or no
contact with the gospel. The organization adopted a new mission
statement in February 2010 to reflect its renewed focus: “The Mission
Society exists to mobilize and deploy the body of Christ globally to
join Jesus in His mission, especially among the least reached peoples.”
Currently, 40 percent of the organization’s missionaries serve or will
serve “least reached” populations.
But with the center of gravity of Christianity shifting, and only 35
percent of the world’s Christian population residing in North America
and Europe, The Mission Society officials say the Western church’s role
is changing. More and more its role is to be in support of those in
Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia who are increasingly engaged in
missions work themselves.
“We go into developing countries and train pastors and lay leaders to be
missionally focused, so that they no longer have the mentality of ‘When
is the West going to come and minister to us?’” says Michael Mozley,
The Mission Society’s senior director of international mobilization.
“They are saying, ‘God is calling us to be globally focused in
everything that we do. He is calling us to reach the least reached in
our own countries.’”
The Mission Society has also devoted itself to helping local U.S.
churches embrace that calling. Stan Self, the organization’s senior
director of church ministry, explains how The Mission Society offers the
local church the “three Ts” of transforming itself to reflect Christ’s
call: teaching, tools and training wheels. “Everything we do in our
teaching is about helping equip the church to go into all the world,”
Self says.
To learn more about the “three Ts” and The Mission Society’s growing
collaboration with missions efforts in the “global South and East,” and
to sign up for a free subscription to “Unfinished,” visit www.themissionsociety.org.
The issue also includes stories of people (including a Muslim and a
Buddhist) turning to Christ and the article “Money Well Spent?” which
explores whether Western missionaries are still necessary.
Founded in 1984 in the Wesleyan tradition, The Mission Society (http://www.themissionsociety.org)
exists to mobilize and deploy the body of Christ globally to join Jesus
in His mission, especially among the least-reached peoples. To that
end, the Mission Society recruits, trains and sends Christian
missionaries to minister around the world. It develops diverse programs
and ministries in keeping with its missionaries’ unique callings and
gifts, ranging from well-drilling and the arts, to more traditional
ministries, such as teaching English and church-planting. Its church
ministry department provides seminars, workshops and mentoring for
congregations in the United States and abroad, helping equip churches
for outreach in their communities and worldwide. Its vision is for the
Kingdom of God to advance among all peoples, bringing about redemption
and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. At present, The Mission Society
has more than 200 missionaries in 32 countries.
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