Charity.

Missions isn’t charity. Somehow, over the past few decades, “missions” has morphed into charitable acts.
The truth is that purpose and true meaning of missions has not changed, even though many people try to redefine it. The mission Jesus gave His disciples (and us), is quite simple, and extremely clear

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)

Jesus said “GO.” Go means do not stay where you are. We must intentionally go to places the Gospel is not known. Should we be evangelists right where we live? Yes! That is baseline Christianity. Jesus is not just asking but commanding His followers to go and reach people with the message that He died for them, rose again, and they must repent of their sin, and accept Him as both Lord and Savior of their lives.

So what is “missions?” It is not simply charitable deeds, which indeed are necessary, but are a methodology for opening the door to someone’s life, heart and mind. It is definitely not ‘voluntourism’, which is a mix of doing good deeds in exotic places, alleviating a guilty conscience while seeing some cool cultural sites. Actual missions is also not taking pictures in foreign environments and posting them on social media for a personal dopamine hit (missionaries have been operating for centuries before electricity or screens were invented). Missions is sharing the Gospel in areas of the world where people do not know who Jesus is, and seeing them convert, discipled and released. Missions is strategically strengthening the Church and undergirding our brothers and sisters in Christ for the purpose of expanding the Kingdom of God.

Jonathan Haward, President & Founder
Global Infusion