2 MIN READ

Why Local Missions Matter—And Why They Can’t Be the End of the Story

When it comes to missions, many of us feel the pull between local and global. Should we focus on serving our neighbors here at home, or should we pour our energy into the nations that have yet to hear about Jesus?

At There and Now, we believe the answer is a resounding both/and.

We celebrate the incredible work happening in local missions—food banks feeding the hungry, churches serving their neighborhoods, believers caring for the sick and the marginalized. These efforts reflect the heart of Jesus and bring the kingdom of God into everyday life. They are beautiful, essential, and worth every resource we give them.

But the story isn’t finished there.

The Unreached Still Wait

Across the globe, 3.42 billion people—over 42% of the world’s population—live in unreached people groups where there is little or no access to the gospel (Joshua Project, October 4, 2023). These communities have no nearby church, no local Christian witness, and often no Scripture in their language.

While we invest in our communities here at home, we also have the privilege—and responsibility—to ensure that the good news of Jesus reaches those who have never heard His name.

Not Competition—Completion

Local and global missions are not in competition. They complete each other. One strengthens the other. The same passion that moves us to serve the poor in our city should propel us to serve the spiritually poor around the world.

And here’s the good news: in today’s interconnected world, the line between “local” and “global” is thinner than ever. Migration has brought many unreached people right into our cities and neighborhoods. Loving our neighbor can mean reaching someone who, in turn, will carry the gospel back to a part of the world where it’s never been heard.

The Fastest Path Forward

The most effective way to reach the unreached is by empowering local, national believers and church planters already living among or near them. They know the language, understand the culture, and can share the gospel in ways that are natural and sustainable.

When we equip and resource these leaders, we multiply the mission—locally and globally—at the same time.

The Invitation

This is the moment for the global Church to rise to its full potential:

• Keep loving your city well.

• Keep meeting tangible needs.

• And also, lift your eyes to the nations—especially those still waiting to hear.

We are not choosing between here or there. We are saying yes to both, because Jesus said yes to the whole world.

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

Sources:
Joshua Project. (2023, October 4). Has Everyone Heard? https://joshuaproject.net/resources/articles/has_everyone_heard