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A missions-minded church is an equipped church. The Great Commission is not just for individual believers—it is the responsibility of the entire church. For the gospel to reach the world, the local church must actively train, support, and send laborers into the harvest. Ephesians 4:11-12 explains how God has provided different roles within the church to accomplish this task: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” The goal of church leadership is not just to preach and teach but to equip believers to take the gospel outside the walls of the church and into the world. Missions begins with a prepared and mobilized body of believers.

Equipping the church for missions starts with discipleship. A believer cannot effectively share the gospel if they do not have a firm grasp of what they believe and why. 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs us, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Knowing God’s Word strengthens our confidence in sharing the gospel and enables us to answer the questions and objections that others may have. Church members should be regularly encouraged to deepen their understanding of Scripture, engage in Bible studies, and participate in discipleship programs that strengthen their faith. The more we grow in our relationship with Christ, the better prepared we are to introduce others to Him.

Beyond biblical knowledge, equipping also involves practical training in evangelism and missions. Many believers want to share their faith but feel uncertain about how to start a gospel conversation, how to respond to objections, or how to explain salvation clearly. The church should provide opportunities for hands-on training, whether through personal evangelism workshops, mission trips, or outreach events. Just as Jesus trained His disciples by sending them out to minister, the church should actively involve believers in real-life opportunities to witness and serve. Matthew 9:37-38 reminds us of the need: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” A missions-focused church does not merely pray for the harvest—it prepares and sends out laborers to bring it in.

This week, pray for our church to be fully equipped and empowered for missions. Ask God to strengthen believers in their knowledge of Scripture, to give them confidence in sharing their faith, and to open doors for them to witness. Consider how you can grow in your ability to reach others for Christ and how you can encourage others to do the same. Missions is not just for a few—it is the calling of every believer, and the church must be intentional in preparing its members for the task. Will you commit to being equipped for the Great Commission?