Defining the Missionary Task: Establish (Part 2)

Why must missionaries seek to establish churches?

In part two of a four-part series on the missionary task, Alex and Scott move from evangelism to the next step: establishing healthy local churches. They explore why the church is not a Western institution or an optional addition to missions, but central to God’s plan for his people. Those who trust in Christ are saved into a community where believers gather to hear God’s word, observe baptism and the Lord’s Supper, care for one another, and grow together in faith.

Alex and Scott also discuss what a biblical church can look like across cultures and why missionaries should focus on more than seeing individuals come to faith. Without healthy churches, new believers can lack the teaching, leadership, fellowship, and accountability they need to mature and reach others with the gospel. And while not every missionary will serve as a church planter or pastor, every missionary can use his or her gifts to help establish and strengthen local churches that worship God and make disciples.

• Why establishing churches is central to the missionary task
• What Scripture teaches about the nature and purpose of the church
• The biblical marks of a healthy local church
• Adapting church forms across cultures without losing biblical foundations
• The dangers of making disciples without establishing healthy churches
• How every missionary can play a role in church planting and growth

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