BY: Donny Parrish
Lifeword
lifeword.org

The Mission. His mission. 

Carrying out the mission of God is our reason for the existence of the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA) of America. Together we join hearts, hands, and resources to carry the glory of His saving message to the nations of the world. Christ’s Great Commission is a local church commandment. BMA Missions and Lifeword exist as tools to help local churches carry out that command. It’s a commandment that is world-wide in its scope. But, because it was given to the local church, it all begins at home. 

“Think Globally, Act Locally”…that is the theme set by BMA President, Jeff Swart, for our 2020 BMA National Meeting. This edition of Mission:World is centered around that thought. When we think of reaching the world for Christ, we can sometimes forget that the world means America, too. In fact, it means my hometown, my neighborhood, my next-door neighbor, my family. Christ’s Great Commission is easy to think of as missionaries being sent to a faraway land. But until the local church mobilizes for missions on a local level it is doubtful that efforts on foreign lands will bear much fruit. 

As you read this edition of Mission:World, ask yourself this question: “Is my local church acting on the Great Commission right where we live?” And then pray for the representatives of BMA churches from across America gathering in Waxahachie, Texas for our National Meeting to leave the meeting inspired to do more to fulfill His Great Commission around the world and at home. 

After all, missionary is our middle name. It’s the reason that we exist!