GCBJM Vol. 4 No. 2 (FALL 2025)
Strengthening the Heartbeat of the Church
In the dynamic landscape of church ministry, there exists a profound tension between the local community and the broader global context. As stewards of the gospel message, churches are called to balance their commitment to serving those in their immediate vicinity with a broader mission that extends to the farthest corners of the earth. Let’s explore the importance of maintaining both a local and global mission emphasis within the church and outline practical steps to cultivate and sustain this vital balance.
At the heart of every church lies a deep-rooted connection to its local community. The call to love our neighbors as ourselves permeates the fabric of our identity as followers of Jesus, compelling believers to engage meaningfully with the needs and challenges present in their own backyard. Local missions provide churches with a tangible opportunity to demonstrate the transformative power of Christ's love within their immediate sphere of influence.
One practical next step for churches seeking to prioritize local missions is to actively engage with the needs of their surrounding community. This may involve partnering with local organizations, hosting community events, or launching outreach initiatives aimed at addressing issues such as homelessness, poverty, or food insecurity. By actively listening to the needs of their neighbors and responding with compassion and generosity, churches can become beacons of hope and healing in their local context.
I remember the first time I walked the streets of a neighborhood that many people said was unsafe. We began just by showing up door to door asking people how they were doing and asking a few questions about how to make the community even better. You would be surprised at the response! What we thought may be a 5–10-minute conversation lasted 30-45 minutes for some people. Each time we would end the conversations by asking how we could pray, and those moments were some of the most engaging moments as people began to open up and share. You would be surprised where these conversations would lead. We have had people share vulnerably, find hope, and even commit their lives to Jesus. When we love our neighbor and truly take time to listen, it is amazing how God uses these moments as tangible expressions of His love.
Luke 10:27 (NIV) - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Another crucial aspect of local missions is the cultivation of authentic relationships within the community. Building trust and rapport with local residents creates a foundation for meaningful ministry and enables churches to more effectively share the gospel message. Whether through mentorship programs, neighborhood gatherings, or service projects, investing in relationships fosters a sense of belonging and connectedness that transcends social barriers and fosters unity within the body of Christ.
One day while serving in the community, a gentleman asked if I would come and paint his house. He noticed that we were doing some minor home repair work in the neighborhood and wanted to see if he could get in on the action. Through a few conversations and some back and forth, I agreed to power wash his home to help him out. However, when I showed up at his house, I had two power washers. One for me and one for him. I told him I would power wash his home, if he would do it with me. We have become great friends, and he even began to advocate and serve others in the neighborhood. One day he told me that something was happening to him, and he couldn't explain it. I quickly responded to let him know that I believed Jesus was changing his life. He agreed. Building relationships that are genuine opens the door, as we serve, to growth and transformation in us and others in our community.
1 John 4:11 (NIV) - "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
While the call to love our neighbors begins at home, it does not end there. The gospel message is inherently global in its scope, reaching across cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries to proclaim the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ. Global missions enable churches to participate in God's redemptive work on a global scale, partnering with believers around the world to advance the kingdom of God and fulfill the Great Commission.
One practical next step for churches interested in global missions is to foster cross-cultural engagement and understanding within their congregations. This may involve supporting missionaries and mission organizations, hosting international guest speakers, or participating in cross-cultural exchange programs. By exposing believers to the diverse tapestry of God's kingdom, churches can broaden their perspectives and cultivate a heart for global missions.
Over many years of leading short term mission trips, I have learned to help individuals prepare for the context in which they will be serving. Many times, we think that God is at work only in our context and we are going to serve the poor who do not know Jesus. I remember one instance where we were serving in an East African context and the group began to learn what joy looks like in the midst of poverty. Many of the team had never worshiped like that before and returned home challenged by the way in which they saw God working around the world on another continent. God is at work around the world, and as we serve with Him and others globally it begins to challenge the way in which we serve him in our own backyard. Thinking globally can even sometimes help us engage missionally in a new and expanded way locally.
Revelation 7:9 (NIV) - "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 before the Lamb."
In addition to individual acts of service, churches can also leverage strategic partnerships to maximize their impact in global missions. Collaborating with established mission organizations, denominational agencies, or indigenous ministries allows churches to pool their resources, expertise, and networks to address complex global challenges. By strategically aligning their efforts with existing initiatives, churches can ensure that their global missions endeavors are both effective and sustainable.
We are truly better together. I am often amazed at how much more we can accomplish together as opposed to what we do on our own for the Kingdom of God. Once on a trip to Uganda, I was working with a local community pastor. We were praying about this vision that God had given him for his community. It was very apparent that the vision was bigger than any one person. So, God led us to have a community meeting and bring people together. Over the course of a few days, we began to see people, churches, governments, and organizations come together to bring clean water, church planting, education, and entrepreneurial opportunities to this community.
Today there is a thriving school, several churches have been planted, and the community has grown as a result of the way God used the local church as a catalyst for community transformation. This pastor has since moved to a new community and started the process over again establishing a growing network of church plants, community transformation efforts, and schools. It is amazing what God can do as we trust and follow him together.
This is the challenge for churches as we serve globally through strategic mission partnerships. Seek to serve alongside mission partners who are open to collaborative engagement locally. We are truly better together.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
Conduct a Community Needs Assessment. Begin by identifying the most pressing needs within your local community and prayerfully discerning how your church can best address them.
Establish a Missions Volunteer Lead Team. Form a dedicated missions team tasked with overseeing and coordinating local and global missions initiatives within the church.
Develop a Missions Strategy. Craft a comprehensive missions strategy that outlines specific goals, objectives, and action plans for both local and global missions.
Cultivate Partnerships. Build relationships with local organizations, ministries, and churches to collaborate on mission projects and maximize impact.
Provide Training and Support. Equip volunteers and mission teams with the necessary training, resources, and support to effectively engage in local and global missions.
As the hands and feet of Christ in the world, the church is called to embody the transformative power of the gospel both locally and globally. By embracing a balanced mission emphasis that prioritizes both the needs of the local community and the broader global context, churches can fulfill their calling to be agents of love, reconciliation, and hope in a broken and hurting world. May we continually seek God's guidance and empowerment as we strive to fulfill the Great Commission and advance His kingdom on earth.
Brandon Baca serves as the Do Good Director and Missions Pastor at The Bridge Fellowship in Texas. He graduated from Houston Baptist University with a degree in Christianity and Communications. Baca is passionate about equipping people to be who God has created them to be.