A New Wave of Discipleship

The history of Christian missions is filled with extraordinary courage. Generations of believers have crossed oceans, learned new languages, and laid down their lives so the name of Jesus could be heard in every corner of the earth. Their sacrifices have shaped the world and brought the gospel to billions.

We honor that history. And now, we stand on its shoulders—looking toward a future where the Great Commission can be completed faster than ever before.

The Need Remains

Today, 3.42 billion people—over 42% of the world’s population—live in unreached people groups (Joshua Project, October 4, 2023; Operation World, 2023; Lausanne Movement, 2023). These are communities with little or no access to the good news of Jesus: no local church, no Christian witness, and often no Scripture in their language.

While technology, travel, and global communication have transformed our ability to connect, these billions remain out of reach unless someone is intentional about going—or sending.

From the West to the World… and Back Again

For much of modern mission history, the primary flow of missionaries was from the West to the rest of the world. That model bore incredible fruit. But in this generation, we’re seeing something new: believers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are rising up as mission senders, reaching across their own borders and even into the most difficult-to-access areas on earth.

This “new wave” of missions is being led by local, national believers and church planters—men and women who already understand the culture, speak the language, and live close to the unreached.

Why This Changes Everything

When we equip and resource these leaders, the gospel can move faster, further, and deeper than ever before. Instead of taking years for a foreign missionary to learn the language and adjust to the culture, national believers are already positioned to start making disciples now.

This is not about replacing traditional missionaries—it’s about multiplying the impact of the whole Church by working together, sharing resources, and focusing our energy where the gospel has yet to go.

The Opportunity in Our Generation

Global migration has brought many unreached people groups into major cities worldwide. Technology allows us to share the message of Jesus instantly. Partnerships between churches across continents are growing stronger.

All of this means the Great Commission is not just a distant dream—it’s a reachable goal in our lifetime if we focus our efforts where the need is greatest.

The Invitation

We can be part of this new wave—honoring the past by accelerating the future. Together, we can ensure that the billions who have never heard the name of Jesus finally have the opportunity to know Him.

Join us in empowering local, national believers and church planters to reach the unreached—faster, there and now.

Sources:
Joshua Project. (2023, October 4). Has Everyone Heard? https://joshuaproject.net/resources/articles/has_everyone_heard
Operation World. (2023). Status of Global Christianity. https://operationworld.org
Lausanne Movement. (2023). State of the Great Commission Report. https://lausanne.org