“Go and make disciples of all nations …”
Matthew 28:19
What’s wrong with this picture?
It’s lunch time at Average American High School, USA. A group of foreign exchange students are assembled around one table – a young man from Sweden, another young man from Spain, a young lady from Japan and her girlfriend from France. A German student joins them without a word; this is their normal routine. Every day they sit together, learning about one another’s countries and comparing their experiences in America. They laugh at themselves as they practice their English, and they promise to visit each other when the school year is over.
Right next to this table is a table full of Christian students. After saying a prayer over their lunch, they chat excitedly about how great the youth group was the night before, and they brainstorm ideas for fundraising. After all, they have to raise enough money by the end of the month to go on a mission trip to Mexico so they can share the gospel and the love of Jesus with people in another country.
HELLOOOOOOOO?! News flash! There’s a mission field less than 10 yards from you! Going there is free! You don’t have to fund-raise! You don’t have to have a passport! You don’t have to get any shots! You don’t have to learn another language! The mission field has already done all that! Yes, THEY’ve done the hard work, they’re here, and now all you have to do is obey Jesus and “preach the gospel” – with or without words.
Maybe my description is an exaggeration. I hope so. But I remember having a French student living with us years ago. Her best friends at the local high school were the German student, the Japanese student, and an American atheist. These girls were always welcome at our house, but whenever they came over, I had to wonder – Where are the Christian kids? Are they clustered somewhere in their little prayer groups and Bible studies, or – worse – trying to remain incognito, with their faith visible only on Sunday mornings?
We have the message the world is literally dying to hear – that God loved all of us so much that He was willing to give His only begotten Son to die in our place, to pay for our sins, so that we could be forgiven, be adopted into God’s family, and live forever! Do we really believe that? Do we really believe what Jesus said about being the only way to eternal life – that without Him we are utterly and eternally lost? (John 14:6) If we do, then our hearts should be breaking for anyone who doesn’t know the Good News. If our hearts aren’t breaking over a lost and dying world, maybe it’s time to reevaluate our own faith.
Reaching out to the foreign students is a great idea, not only because it is far easier and more economical than mission trips, but also because it’s a great strategy. Think about it: most people in the world are fortunate if they have a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs, and food on their tables. The families that can afford to send their children to the US are usually wealthier, more influential citizens in their countries. Often these students are the sons and daughters of political leaders, even heads of state!
Imagine if you shared the gospel with the son of a prime minister, and he made a commitment to Christ. When summer arrives, that student goes home and is asked by family and friends (and the press) about his experience in America. And he tells about his experience in America – in other words, he gives his testimony! He doesn’t need to learn the language, he speaks it fluently! He doesn’t need to work at making connections and building relationships – he already has them! And his country is watching.
When I was in high school, our class had one exchange student. This year just one of our local high schools has 29 of them.
What a mission field! What are we waiting for?
Prayer: Father, You have told us to take the gospel into the whole world, and today there are so many ways in which it is easier than ever to do just that. Make us aware of every opportunity to reach out to others, offering them our friendship, so that through us You can offer them Life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Seeking Divine Perspective 
Amen Ann! I like this thought. Often times our politics effect how we think about our mission, and the truth is, for many of us a mission field is coming to us. Praise God! You can have a different political idea about the border and if it is safe and what laws or process we need, but if Jesus wants you to show God’s to someone standing in front of you, start there.
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Thanks for your kind words. Years ago a friend told me about a sermon on this concept. She knew I would get excited about it, because I already had friends from many different backgrounds. I have heard literally thousands of sermons in my lifetime, but only a few that have really had a lasting impact on me. This was one of them – and I wasn’t even there when it was delivered!
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Good idea in a perfect world, but have you ever felt like you must be speaking a different language even though it’s English? We are all foreign in our priorities, but there are times when a connection can be made, by the grace of God, so we can pray to be open to every opportunity and to be full of Gods love, ready to share and inspire each other at the most unexpected times! If someone asks, it will be given, may I be ready to serve with God’s help!
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Exactly why this is such a great opportunity! When an exchange student comes to the U. S., (s)he has a whole school year to learn about our culture – and we have 9-10 months to demonstrate the love of Jesus! We don’t have to preach a sermon on Day One. Some things are understood in any language – a smile, an invitation to share a meal, or a question showing you are genuinely interested in the individual. These are things that open the door for spiritual input down the road, as God leads – whether from you, another Christian, or God Himself.
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You are so right on! Some cities, like the one I live in, has thousands of immigrants! Maybe we should make sure all of these have heard the Gospel before we take off on a plane! Great point, Annie!
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Great!!! America needs missionaries too. Why do most people think that we are just so much more perfect and righteous then other countries??? The harvest is plentiful, where are the laborers.
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I suspect people think that because America seems to have a church on every corner that everyone here has heard the gospel, but we are very good at keeping the Good News a secret. True, we should be reaching out every day. For those who particularly want to share Christ in another culture, with world-wide implications, here’s a great strategy for doing just that, and it’s ridiculously easy. – THEY’ve done all the hard work.
Overseas or local, let’s get out of our little bubbles, take off the blinders, and obey the Great Commission.
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