While hunting with my son in the remote jungles of the Yucatán, I had an experience that gripped my heart and wouldn’t let go.
We were miles deep in the wilderness—no cell service, no GPS, no road signs—just rugged dirt paths and scattered mud huts. In a place where modern conveniences felt a world away, I saw something that made me stop the truck: a weathered Coca-Cola sign, nailed to the side of a grass-roofed hut.
Coca-Cola… here?
I snapped a picture, shaking my head in amazement. When we got back to the lodge with Wi-Fi, I did a little digging. Turns out, Coca-Cola is available in nearly every country in the world—almost 200 of them—except for a few like Cuba, North Korea, and Russia. The reach of Coke is staggering. A product born in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, has been successfully delivered to virtually every corner of the globe in less than 140 years.
But here's the part that broke my heart.
In all the places I visited—small villages and big cities—I saw Coke signs, but not once did I see a church sign. No Christian school billboards. No flyers for a revival. No evidence of the gospel message. Just Coke.
Coca-Cola has fulfilled their commission. What about us?
Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus gave His followers a greater commission. In Mark 16:15, He said:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
This commission wasn’t about branding or sales. It wasn’t about products. It was about souls. About eternity. About transformation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in John 20:21:
“As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
He didn’t send angels, He didn’t assign the job to birds or rocks or mountains—He entrusted it to us. You and me. With all our flaws, busy schedules, distractions, and limitations, He said we are the ones who carry the most life-changing message in the history of the world.
And yet, Coca-Cola has done a better job of delivering carbonated sugar water than many of us have done delivering living water.
The Great Commission Is Greater
Unlike Coke, our message doesn’t fizzle out. Coke brings a moment of refreshment. Jesus brings eternal transformation.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples:
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses... to the ends of the earth.”
That starts at home—your city, your school, your workplace, your team—and stretches outward to your state, your country, and the globe. Whether it’s your neighbor across the street or someone across the ocean, we are called to bring the good news to them all.
Whatever God has placed in your hand—your computer, your car, your job, your hobbies—use it. Use everything to share the gospel. You don’t need to be famous, you don’t need to be rich, you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be available.
34 Years of Ministry—And We're Just Getting Started
When June and I came to Pensacola in 1991, we started knocking on doors, one by one. We had no staff, no budget, and no big launch team—just a calling to reach people. The first family to join us was Mickey and Debbie Price. Today, we have over 100 small groups, multiple thriving campuses in Pace, Beulah, and Molino, a Christian school at full capacity, daycares, a thrift store, and thousands attending outreach events like Spirit of Christmas, Sunrise Service, and Sportsman’s Night Out.
But none of that matters if we lose sight of the why.
Everything we do is about the gospel. It's about changed lives. As of today, we've seen over 35,000 people come to Christ. Each number represents a soul. It’s not about attendance—it’s about transformation.
Three Questions That Matter
Do you know for sure that if you died today, you’d go to heaven?
Scripture says you can know (1 John 5:13). If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again—and you trust Him alone for your salvation—you can know you have eternal life.
Have you followed the Lord in believer’s baptism and joined a Bible-believing church?
Baptism isn’t salvation, but it’s your way of publicly saying, “I belong to Jesus.” And being part of a gospel-centered church matters—it’s where you’re taught, challenged, and surrounded by community.
Are you connected with other believers?
You can’t live out your faith alone. Small groups and Christian fellowship provide the accountability, encouragement, and growth you need to stay faithful.
The Mission Is Still the Same
Coca-Cola has accomplished its mission.
It’s time the Church does the same—with far more urgency and passion.
We're not pushing a product. We’re sharing a person—Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
So whether you're in North Pace, Molino, Beulah, Pensacola, or anywhere else… the Great Commission is yours.
Not just the preacher’s.
Not just the missionary’s.
Yours.
Take the gospel wherever God has placed you.
Because Jesus changes lives. Forever.
