God created Adam and then, from Adam, He took a rib and created Eve. To me, that shows how God intends for a husband and wife to be deeply connected. He took something from the man’s side, closest to his heart, to create the woman. Then, God told Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth. From them came children, then grandchildren, and so on, until humanity filled the earth.
God is big on the human family, but let me tell you something else—He is also big on the spiritual family.
The Spiritual Family: God’s Church
When you get to the New Testament, you see that God created a particular family: His church. God’s family exists worldwide, consisting of every person who has ever trusted Jesus as their Savior. No matter where they live, they are a part of God's global family. But God also established a local church family, which serves as the hands and feet of His work in specific communities.
In John 3, we read about a man named Nicodemus. He was well-educated and religious, but he was lost. He came to Jesus at night, seeking answers. Jesus, who has a way of making profound truths simple, told Nicodemus, "You must be born again." Jesus explained, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." In other words, being born into the human family is one thing, but being born into God's family requires a spiritual rebirth.
People all over the world are part of the human family, but not everyone is part of God’s family. Some, like Nicodemus, are searching for spiritual truth, not realizing that they need to be born again.
Baptism and Church Membership
When you get saved, the Holy Spirit baptizes you into the family of God. That’s spiritual baptism. But to be part of a local church, believers are also baptized by water immersion. This outward act symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is a public declaration of faith.
The local church is essential. It’s where believers worship, serve, and bring others to Christ. The church is God's plan to spread the gospel locally and worldwide. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His followers to "Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Jesus gave this commission to His disciples, the foundation of the church, and through them, He entrusted the mission of spreading the gospel to the whole world.
The Early Church and Its Mission
The early church took this mission seriously. On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 people were saved and baptized in one day. Soon after, another 5,000 were added. The church spread rapidly as believers shared the gospel everywhere they went. Missionaries were sent out, and the message of salvation reached new lands.
A Vision of Heaven and the Church on Earth
Revelation 7:9 gives us a glimpse of heaven, where a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language stands before God’s throne. This is a picture of the universal church—a diverse family of believers worshiping together. The local church should reflect this diversity. The church should not be confined by geographical borders, social status, or race. It is a global movement of God’s people, unified in Christ.
The Role of the Local Church in Global Missions
The local church plays a crucial role in fulfilling the Great Commission. Recently, our church had the privilege of partnering with mission efforts in Africa. We helped dig wells in remote villages, providing clean water to thousands. But even more importantly, these wells opened doors to share the gospel. We witnessed people’s joy not just for clean water, but for the living water—Jesus Christ.
In one village, as soon as the drilling equipment arrived, people gathered, dancing and clapping with excitement. When the fresh water finally gushed from the ground, the entire village rejoiced. But beyond the water, we shared the message of salvation, and many came to Christ.
We also visited a Christian hospital where over 186,000 people have been saved through medical missions. This hospital provides free care to children with conditions like cleft palates and club feet. Before every surgery, families hear the gospel, and many come to faith in Christ. It’s a beautiful example of how the church’s mission includes both physical and spiritual healing.
What Can You Do?
The question now is, what can you do? There are three ways you can be involved:
- Pray – Pray for missionaries, for lost people around the world, and for opportunities to share the gospel
- Give – Support missions financially so that wells can be built, churches can be planted, and people can be reached.
- Go – Consider going on a short-term mission trip. Whether it's to another country or a nearby community, stepping out to serve can change lives—including your own.
A Final Thought
One of the most powerful stories from our mission trip was meeting a man named Ben. He grew up in extreme poverty, sleeping in a hut with goats and chickens. His life changed when missionaries came to his village and installed a well. That clean water led to a greater gift—hearing about Jesus. Over time, Ben worked hard, started a successful business, and now gives back to his village. His story is a testimony of how the church, both local and worldwide, can transform lives.
God is gathering His family—both here on earth and one day in heaven. Let’s be part of that work. Let’s pray, give, and go so that all people can hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
