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The
Process of Mobilization
Page
4 — Forces in the Gap
The
Church Congregation
The local church plays a most basic and essential role in the task of world
evangelization. From it comes the prayer, manpower, finances (and in some
cases, strategies) for missions. The job will get done only if there is dynamic
teamwork between congregations of believers and the sending and training structures
as together they seek to establish viable, indigenous churches among unreached
peoples.
Sent
Ones, Senders, Welcomers and Mobilizers
Every believer is called in either one of two ways to be involved in the task
of world evangelization. Both of the callings require the same consecration
to and confirmation of God's leading. A “sent one” is a cross-cultural
worker on the field. With today's massive influx of immigrants to various
countries throughout the world, the field is now in our own backyards. Those
who reach out to immigrants and international students and visitors have recently
been called “welcomers.” “Senders” are those believers
on the home front with a world vision who are actively involved in supporting
the “sent ones.” Last but not least are the “mobilizers.”
Whether positioned over a local church, city, region, country or continent,
mobilizers are those who channel key resources, training and vision for world
evangelization to the Body of Christ.
Closure
Our common goal toward which the entire Body of Christ is to labor is the
fulfillment of God's climactic vision as revealed in Rev. 5:9 and Rev. 7:9
where some from every tribe, tongue, people and nation are depicted as gathered
around the throne of the Lamb. Due to massive spiritual forces arrayed against
the missionary task of the Church (Satan knows well that world evangelization
will terminate his reign on earth), fortitude is needed to press forward through
trials and obstacles in finishing the task.
Seven
Years
This figure brings a sobering tone into our task of mobilizing. Just as the
average span of time between the moment someone first gains a World Christian
conviction and the moment that person ends up working within an unreached
people group is seven years. So the time to initiate a mission movement in
a fellowship, city and region may take three to seven years. If we refuse
to face this time factor realistically, we may begin the race well but not
develop the perseverance necessary to finish well. Once we accept this time
factor we can begin to prayerfully plan the key steps we should take to build
a movement in our city or region.
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