Proclaiming the Gospel

It is only through the gospel message that mankind can hear the good news about Jesus Christ and receive the gift of eternal life (Rom 10:11–15, John 3:16). Therefore, this good news must be shared with the world (Matt 28:19). While the gospel must be adorned by good works (Titus 2:10, 1 John 2:4, James 2:14–17), the gospel message itself must be proclaimed (Rom 15:20, 1 Cor 1:17, 9:16). Sadly, at times, as in the New Testament (Gal 1:8), false “gospels” have been spread throughout the world, tragically giving people false hope and leaving them in sin (Matt 23:15). Urgent supports ministries that understand and proclaim the true and good news of Jesus Christ so that many may be saved.

Discipling Believers

One of the great tragedies in the world of missions has been an emphasis on “reaching” the world with the gospel, but without spending the time needed to disciple new believers. As a result many new believers have been abandoned without a mature faith to protect them. The author of Hebrews chastized those who ought to be teachers but still require milk (Heb 5:11–14, 1 Cor 3:2), people who are at risk for being led astray by false teaching (Eph 4:11–14, 2 Cor 11:3) resulting in, at best, unfruitful Christians (1 Cor 3:15) and, at worst, those who abandon the faith (1 Tim 5:12, 6:21). Urgent supports evangelistic ministries that are active in discipling new and existing Christians to ensure that the indigenous church in unreached locations is built up to a maturity that will last and bear fruit.

Developing Leaders

Leaders are God’s gift to his church (Eph 4:8–12), shepherds to care for his saints (1 Peter 5:1–5, Acts 20:28, Heb 13:17). Leaders are vital to the growth and nourishment of the Church (Eph 4:12–13) as they build up and protect God’s flock (Titus 1:9). Similar to the reality that many Christians have not been discipled, thus many Christians have been given leadership roles without being biblically qualified (1 Tim 3:1–7) and many Christians have been left without biblical leaders to guide them. One of the greatest needs in unreached locations is for new indigenous leaders to be raised up and multiplied to serve, protect, and sustain local churches. Urgent supports ministries that are committed to raising up and deploying new indigenous leaders to serve the church in unreached and underserved areas.