Answers

Q:

Why are missionaries still needed? Can't we complete the task of spreading the Gospel to the whole world by using radio and television and the Internet? Hasn't God now given us the tools to complete the Great Commission?


A:

We all should be grateful to God for the tools He has given us to reach those who have never heard the message of Christ. Millions of people have come to Christ in recent years as a result of these new technologies, and if Jesus were alive today, I’m sure He’d make use of them.

But missionaries and evangelists are needed today more than ever before. For one thing, the world’s population continues to grow at a startling rate. In addition, vast numbers of people still do not have access to the message of Christ in a language they can understand. Jesus’ words to His disciples are just as relevant as when He first spoke them: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2).

Never forget too that God’s will isn’t just for people to believe in Jesus, but to become His disciples and follow Him every day. This is why the latter part of Jesus’ so-called “Great Commission” to His followers included the command to teach new believers “everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

Often we think Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel only applies to missionaries who are sent to far places. But what about those around you who don’t know Christ? Are you praying for them, and are you asking God to use you to tell them about Christ and His salvation?