How we define “unreached” in missions determines:

Where we go.

How long we stay.

What activities we engage in while there.

A reached place is where there is lasting access to the gospel. Access is meaningful and lasting when it includes short-term and long-term investment in developing structures we see in the Bible like healthy local churches, pastoral training, gospel explainers in the local language, translations of Scripture, etc. At 8K Research, we are tracking the status of these important gospel structures in various locations around the world.

How do I know if I’m a good missionary? Can we define success by the results of the work - by baptisms and conversions? We should define success by how faithfully we are accomplishing the hard work that God has called us to do. But even then, how do I know if I’m being faithful?

The Bible teaches us that the local church itself is a beautiful and simple way to help believers and non-believers understand the gospel and the Kingdom of God. This is why faithful mission work must keep Christ’s bride central.

“We’ll never forget them. We’ll continue to care for them even if they’re far away! After all, we are the ones sending them, so it’s our responsibility to care for them just like the first missionaries from Antioch!” Are these sentiments wise is this? Are they consistent with what the Bible teaches about church membership? How should we think about our responsibilities to missionaries we send out?

Christians need their local churches. God provides Christians with nourishment through community with the believers (Col 2:19; Eph 4:11–16). This idea makes sense to Western Christians, because it is the norm. But what about missionaries who serve in hard places today—where there are no other Christians? “Church-by-Skype” seems woefully deficient. So, how can missionaries get the nourishment they need when there is no local church near them?

A strange thing happened after many years of church experience: I encountered Christian community for the first time. I don’t know why this happened, but one thing was sure: I was hooked. How can we help new believers experience life-giving Christian community?