THIS IS COMMUNITY MISSIONS

Community Missions unites churches, pastors, and believers in the shared goal of fulfilling the Great Commission. Every believer is called to actively participate, using their God-given gifts to reach local and global communities. Through strategic efforts led by Community Missions Representatives and supported by local and state missions boards, we address the physical, material, and spiritual needs of those we serve. Our mission is to demonstrate the love and power of God, fostering relationships and connections that transcend cultural and generational boundaries, ultimately advancing the kingdom of God across the world.

PHYSICAL

MATERIAL

SPIRITUAL

Medical Care
Nutritious Food
Clean Water

Shelter
Clothes
Shoes

Salvation
Discipleship
Church Planting

ABOUT COMMUNITY MISSIONS

Community Missions is open to all members of a Church of God who accept the Great Commission to "Go, preach, and disciple."

World Missions General Director, M. Thomas Propes, initiated the creation of Community Missions through which churches, pastors, and laity can be unified in a strategy for completing the Great Commission. In November 1971, Bill George created the idea for what was then known as Local Missions Representatives. That base has now evolved with a broader scope and intent.

The body of believers, led by the pastor and Community Missions Team, is charged to create strategic events that fulfill the command to obey the Great Commission by choosing to follow the guidelines of Physical Needs (medical care, nutritious food, and clean water); Material Needs (suitable shelter, appropriate clothes, and fitting shoes); and lastly, Spiritual Needs (presenting the plan of salvation, learning the tenets of discipleship, and providing help with church planting).

Who should participate in Community Missions within your local church?

Every believer is called to join the thrilling mission of making disciples for Jesus across the globe! Following His great command, we are to go forth, baptizing and teaching others to obey all He has instructed. We can do this with confidence, for our Lord promises to be with us always, even until the very end.

The objectives of Community Missions are to walk in harmony with God, loving the peoples of the world as He does. We are called to serve the local and global communities of the "Last, the Least, and the Lost," demonstrating God's love and power through actions that address physical, material, and spiritual needs. What an incredible opportunity!

Where should our efforts be focused?

Among individuals, church members, and within the diverse cultures and needs of the local and global communities where God has provided connections. The possibilities are endless!

And how should this missions work be carried out? In accordance with God's guidance and the perceived needs of the communities we engage. It should involve collaborative endeavors among church members, pastors, missions boards, and the global church. The work should be characterized by unity, purity, and a spirit of worshipful service.

The call to missions spans across cultures, age groups, and social strata. Let us enthusiastically join this movement to reach the world for Christ! The time is now—let's go make disciples together!

Understanding Local and Global Communities

We often think of community as signifying unity, a common bond, or geographical significance. But perhaps we should consider community in the broader context of "six degrees of separation," the idea that anyone on the planet can be connected to anyone else through a series of only six social connections. Our sphere of influence—our common community—is both more intimate in size and larger in geographical area than we might realize.

The world has come to our towns and cities. People from various backgrounds are now local and interacting with us daily. We can reach people in far-away places by ministering to the different cultures around us. Our search for community should include prayer, travel, and sensitivity to the Spirit of God as He speaks to us. God's will is for us to provide means for His name to be glorified in the uttermost parts of the earth.

Community Missions Representative

A designated person in a local church who receives and develops ideas, resources, and communication to work in tandem with the pastor for the purpose of making Christ known. The representative works to understand the missions vision of the pastor and the congregation, then carries out a plan to keep this vision viable in the ministries of the church.

All members of a local church's Community Missions Team with specified responsibilities are considered Community Missions Representatives. As such, they should register with Church of God World Missions through the link below.

COMMUNITY MISSIONS REGISTRATION

HOW TO GET STARTED

The pastor, Local Team Community Representative, and other representatives serving on the Community Missions Board should engage the congregation through strategic and timely events. Here’s how:

Prayer should lead the way for spiritual commitment and understanding of the Great Commission, the calling of all believers to follow and demonstrate Christ's love through discipleship. Prayer should include:

Focus on the global harvest field.
Prayer for the cultures in your local and global communities.
Prayer for wisdom and direction in ministry.
Prayer for the power and favor of God to be displayed in the lives of those who minister both inside and outside the church.
Prayer for World Missions, State Missions, and Missionaries.

It is important to plan and be prepared with wisdom and knowledge before engaging your communities. Ask questions to develop a clear vision of what God wants you to do, given the resources He has placed in your hands, such as:

To whom will you go?
What are the cultures in your communities?
Are there viable organizations within your community with whom you can partner and provide support?
Do you have any Unreached People Groups represented in your church or region?
What are the physical, material, and spiritual needs in the community, and what is the best way to meet them?
What are the goals of the State Missions Board and Church of God World Missions?

Plan to be strategic in your church, communicating the mission goals agreed upon by the pastor and Community Missions Team.

It is imperative that the local church engage and involve all believers strategically. Prayer, discernment, and communication should take place to allow people to fulfill the command and duty Jesus set in motion with the Great Commission. Plan for training in areas where your team can grow and stay motivated, such as:

Language development
Knowledge of culture
Communication skills
Leadership skills
Technical skills
Spiritual development

Organization will lead to the success and growth of your church and its missions outreach.

Communication with the congregation is vital. This includes personal notices, digital communication, printed materials, social media reminders, graphic illustrations, and ministry from God's Word. Motivational messages, target information, and reinforcement of the purpose, when presented in an age-appropriate manner, will help create a common vision and enable the congregation to carry out the goals strategically and efficiently. Communication between Church of God World Missions, the state administrative bishop, and the State Missions Board should flow to local church missions leadership and its congregants. Openness fosters relationships and connections for all involved.

While carrying out ministry, provisions should be made to obtain the necessary information for follow-up with those to whom you minister. There is great opportunity and privilege in helping someone in need find appropriate resources, fellowship, spiritual teaching, and more. Follow-up is where making disciples is birthed, shaped, and matured. It is as important as the initial presentation of God's desire for mankind.

Good always comes from Great Commission ministry. Just as Paul and Silas returned to Antioch and gave a report of all that God had done, it is imperative to report what God does to the people of the church, the State Missions Board, and Church of God World Missions. We are made overcomers by the word of our testimony. These reports will show the power of God at work, giving encouragement and strengthening the bond between those who send and those who go.

From children and student workers to young adults and adult practitioners, it is important to create relationships and assess individual skills to plug your people into optimal situations for successful events and outreach. Their motivation will come from relationships, preparation, and training for any technical or spiritual opportunity. When God is honored, your congregants will have open hearts for meeting new people, guiding them, and introducing God to them. It is in the doing that we can show the love and glory of God.