The mission of every disciple is simple: be a messenger of the Good News.
The Good News is not merely information to understand. It is an invitation to receive. When the Good News is believed and received, a disciple is born. And every disciple of Jesus Christ is then sent to tell that same Good News to someone else.
That is your mission. You are a messenger.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His followers their assignment:
Matthew 28:17–20, NIV 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The final words of Jesus before His ascension are not confusing. They are not reserved for scholars, pastors, missionaries, or people with seminary training. They are clear, direct, and filled with purpose. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
That command was given to ordinary people who had walked with Him, learned from Him, failed Him, trusted Him, and followed Him. Some worshiped. Some doubted. Yet Jesus sent them all.
That means, every disciple included in the mission. Every disciple sent to tell the Good News.
The mission begins with the authority of Jesus. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). This means the mission does not depend on our confidence, talent, personality, or experience. Its rests on the authority of the risen Christ.
We go because Jesus reigns. We go because the world needs the Savior we know. We go because we have the hope people are searching for. We go because peace is missing and Jesus gives peace abundantly. We go because we have been found and we know others who are still lost.
We do not go in our own strength. We do not go for our own glory. We go in His power, under His authority, and with His promise. As Jesus promised, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). That means we are never sent alone. His presence goes with us into every conversation, every relationship, every invitation, and every opportunity.
From the rising of the sun to its setting, we live on mission as messengers of the Good News. Mission is not only something the church schedules on the calendar. Mission is the daily calling of every believer. Wherever we go, we are to help someone take one step toward Jesus. At home, at work, at school, in our neighborhood, in our conversations, in our friendships, ordinary moments can become holy opportunities.
Every disciple is a sent messenger. The mission continues whenever someone shares the Good News of Jesus, invites another person to follow Him, and walks beside them as they grow in faith. That is the life of a disciple. We receive the Good News. We live the Good News. We share the Good News.
Because every disciple has a mission, and the mission is to be a messenger.
In Christ,
Rev. Kari Howard
Associate Conference Superintendent