One Heartbeat

By: Eric Johnson, Director of International Missions

One! What a small and yet phenomenal word. The word one is repeated twenty times in the book of Ephesians. We know from the Bible and from history that the churches of the New Testament were impacting their world with the gospel and were poised to impact the world. 

Yet, as was the case for all the churches in the New Testament, there was a growing risk for the church in Ephesus. Most of the references to the word one in Ephesians are speaking to the unity that exists in Christ with other believers in the church. They were no longer two (Jew and Gentile) but instead, in Christ, the two have been made one. 

God has always been about reaching people from all nations, but this concept was new to many people in the New Testament. There were many issues that the churches would face, but God was showing them a new thing.

By the grace of God, Baptist Missionary Association (BMA) churches are impacting the world with the gospel. Starting new churches is
the beating heart of BMA Missions. Through the ministry of local churches, the gospel is proclaimed to the world, disciples of Christ are made, and the kingdom grows.

We can see this work of church planting happening on three levels in international missions. 

1. Individual local churches planting new churches. 

I recently returned from the Philippines where we had a church planting mentorship training. There, as in other places where I travel, I am often encouraged that church planting is the expectation of every church. Many people are hearing the gospel as churches continue to start churches.

2. National churches working together to plant churches in their countries. 

These churches are pooling their resources and combining efforts in order to reach places where it would be impossible for one church to reach on her own. We call this “association.” 

Over the years in BMA work, God has grown associations of churches in many countries that are working together to plant churches in new areas of their respective countries. Working together isn’t always easy, but there are great opportunities in this approach. 

National churches have intimate knowledge of the mission field because they are from there. They are already equipped with the language and cultural skills for their given context. Associations also help provide a nearby support and accountability structure for those who are being sent. We are blessed to be able to partner with national associations of churches to grow the Lord’s work in these countries.

3. National churches working together to plant churches in other countries. 

There is a growing number of national BMA churches that are sending church planters to other countries through their associations. There is a growing global vision in BMA churches around the world. A few years ago, the prospect of national associations being able to send missionaries to the nations was just a dream. Today, BMA churches in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, as well as in the African Continent and Asia, are sending missionaries beyond their borders. 

This is a new and growing development in BMA missions. This greater vision is made possible as churches work together. Together we can do more. Together we can reach more people with the message of Christ. Together we can reach farther than we ever have before.

As was taking place in Asia Minor during the ministry of the Apostles, the Lord continues to grow his church. More places are being impacted with the gospel. Even with all of the things we have to praise God for in BMA Missions, we have only just begun to see what God can do through his churches.

God is opening doors for the gospel that previously were closed. There are many changes taking place around the world that present us with distinct challenges and yet great opportunities for the gospel.

A shift in the geographical center of Christianity has been steadily taking place.

In the early 1900s, 83 percent of professed Christians lived in Europe and North America. It is projected that by 2050, 72 percent of those who call themselves Christian will live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. There is an openness in much of the world that is relatively new, historically speaking. There are many reasons for this, and false religion is growing there; but as God’s people, we should gather that the Lord has called us to preach the gospel unto them.

Add to this that these very countries are exploding in population. There is a steady trend of urbanization as people move from their traditional homelands to large cities. In the year 2000, an estimated 47 percent of the world’s population lived in a city. That number is steadily growing, and by the year 2030, it is believed that more than 60 percent of the world will live in cities. The world’s population is now approaching 8 billion people. The majority of them do not know the Lord. The harvest is plentiful. To the glory of God, every one of them needs to hear the gospel of Christ.

God has called us to this time! It is an exciting time for missions. Please continue to pray and support BMA Missions. May the Lord use his churches in the BMA of America to share the message of Christ to more people than we have before.