Part 2 EVERY CHRISTIAN is CALLED to play a CRUCIAL ROLE in JESUS' GREAT COMMISSION - A "GOD AT WORK IN THE WORLD" series

Jesus’ Great Commission: Who is it directed to? Does it apply to me?

In the introduction to our new GOD AT WORK IN THE WORLD series, entitled EVERY CHRISTIAN is CALLED to play a CRUCIAL ROLE in JESUS' GREAT COMMISSION, we explored the answers to some big questions related to Jesus’ Great Commission: Who is it directed to? and Does it apply to me? Why is it that we can so quickly disregard Christ’s invitation to play an active role in His beautiful plan of redemption across the world? What else did Jesus say about our role as His witnesses to the world? Now what? Should you start exploring flights to reach the unreached in Morocco or Bangladesh? and finally, Could there be more than one way to make disciple-making across the nations come to fruition? We will explore this question together and more right now. If you’d like to read, listen in, or further explore the Biblically-based answers to these questions, click the link to our introductory post below.

Now, onto Part 2!

Could there be more than one way to make disciple-making across the nations come to fruition?

The answer is: Yes!

Let’s look into the life of an ordinary man who responded to Jesus’ Great Commission.

A Case Study on William Carey

Born in 1761 in England, William Carey, a shoemaker turned mission-driven preacher, went on to write “An Inquiry Into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens,” in other words, “A study on whether Christians are responsible to actively do something to help bring the Gospel to those who’ve never heard it.” Put another way, “Should Christians take action to help reach the lost with the Gospel—and what should that look like?”

This book was a catalyst for the early modern missions movement and Willian Carey followed through on his own words and recommendations.

Now, it’s worth noting that leaving your homeland and family as a missionary was a lot less common in the late 1700s than it is today. In a day when most believers saw foreign missions as unrealistic or unnecessary, Carey was deeply convicted by the truth of Christ’s Great Commission.

He believed that those who have been entrusted with the Gospel are not only invited—but commanded—to make it known among every nation, tribe, and tongue. His faith was not theoretical—it was active.

Within a year of writing the book, Carey boarded a ship with his family and a close friend, setting sail for India, where his gospel witness would bring lasting fruit—transforming language, education, social justice, and above all, souls for Christ.

With God’s help, Carey translated the Bible into over 40 Indian languages and dialects. He founded a theological university and opened schools that welcomed women and people from lower castes, that is, the lower social classes of Hindu society. He also strongly advocated against the practice of sati in India in which a Hindu widow would ritually immolate herself on her husband's burning funeral pyre, meaning she would throw herself into the flames. By God’s grace, this practice was eventually outlawed in Carey’s lifetime.

Carey also emphasized that missions required long-term, strategic, and sacrificial efforts. In doing so, he laid the groundwork for modern missionary equipping and sending organizations.

William Carey eventually died in India in 1834. It’s clear, he responded to the Good Shepherd’s call in the Great Commission, as it is declared in Matthew 28:18-20,

18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Christ’s call is clear, but does this mean every follower of Jesus is called to leave home and live overseas? Not necessarily. Nevertheless, Carey understood that missions is the work of the whole Church, not just those who go. Before departing, he famously told his friend Andrew Fuller,

“I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the rope.”

Fuller took that charge seriously. He became a key founder of the Baptist Missionary Society, working tirelessly to support Carey from England—raising funds, preaching, and stirring the hearts of believers to care about the salvation of the lost across the nations.

So, did Andrew Fuller “go”? No. But he obeyed the Christ’s call to play his part in the Great Commission. He held the rope.

Are You Faithfully Playing Your Part in the Mission of God?

All of this brings us to a deeply important question: Are you playing your part in God’s Great Commission—His call not only to reach those nearby, but to make disciples of all nations?

The command of Jesus is unmistakably clear:

Go, make disciples of all nations, baptize, and teach all that He commanded us, knowing all the while that He is with us. (Matthew 28:18-20)

This is not a special assignment for a select few—it’s the calling of every follower of Christ. We each have a role in God’s global mission. That doesn’t mean everyone is called to pack up and move overseas, but it does mean that no one is exempt from playing their part.

Holding the Rope

Not everyone goes to the nations—but everyone can hold the rope.

What that looks like may differ from one Christ follower to another, but there is a role we’re all called to take up without exception: PRAY.

William Carey once said that prayer is “perhaps the only thing in which Christians of all denominations can cordially and unreservedly unite.” Why? Because we all know this truth—salvation belongs to the Lord. Only our God can open blind eyes, soften hearts, and transform lives. And time and again, He does this in response to the prayers of His people.

Prayer is not a passive role—it’s active and powerful. It’s often the first and most essential act of partnership in missions.

Is What I’m Doing Enough?

You might wonder, “How do I know if I’m doing enough?” The answer isn’t in comparing yourself to others, but in abiding in Jesus and walking in obedience to His Spirit.

God hasn’t called you to carry the entire mission alone.

He’s called you to faithfully play your part—to obey Him where you are, and remain open and available to where He may lead. Stay attentive and responsive to your Good Shepherd.

Some plant, others water, but it is God who brings the growth (see 1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

Here Are Some Ways We Can Respond

PRAY, GIVE, GO ACROSS THE STREET, GO TO THE WORLD

First, sow seeds and water them through prayer. Our God is ready and willing to act.

Second, sow seeds and water them through generous giving. God will bring the growth. You can read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 to remember God’s love for cheerful givers. It says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8,

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Third, sow seeds and water them by going across the street. Build relationships with your neighbors and be ready to share the faith and hope you have in Christ. You have the best news ever to share. So don’t keep it from them! Ask the Lord for the grace and faith to share openly. He won’t give more than you can handle with Him. Seek opportunities to share. Knock, and He will open doors and open hearts. This is about Jesus seeking and saving the lost, not about our excellent oration or persuasion skills. Building meaningful relationships takes time, care, and intentionality. No need to rush. Simply plant seeds and water, God will bring the growth.

Fourth, sow seeds and water them by going to the world. Rather than plan your next holiday trip or vacation around your own desires, prayerfully plan a trip with the Lord. Try it. Ask Him where you should go, when, and why. As He leads you, go in faith. Know that wherever He leads you, you go as an ambassador of Christ and His Kingdom of Light. So, shine! Engage with people. Ask them how they are doing. Be real. Pray as you walk and explore. Seek to encourage people in your interactions. If you have experienced the love of God, share it! Know that it is our ever-present God who is guiding you step by step. With Him, not one interaction is random or insignificant. You’re engaging with eternal souls, meaning that through Christ at work in you, by His Spirit, you can make an eternally significant impact.

Every part matters, every seed sown and watered in faith. When over 3 billion people still have no access to the Gospel, it’s going to take the whole Church rising up in obedience together, responding to Christ’s call to fulfill His Great Commission for us.

When we live surrendered to Jesus, saying, “Here I am, Lord. Send me—have Your way, Lord, work in and through me for Your glory,” there is lasting peace and joy, even in the face of overwhelming need. The burden isn’t ours to carry alone—it is Christ’s mission. He is our Leader, our Good Shepherd. He is the One who provides. He alone saves.

We get to partner with the One who came to seek and save the lost!

How Can I Simply Share My Testimony?

I was…then Jesus…now I am…

How can you be ready to share your own personal testimony with someone else? Try this simple format.

I was…then Jesus…now I am…

I was [blank] and [blank]. Share a characteristic of the old you and another characteristic of the old you. (E.g. “I was full of shame and felt trapped” or “I was stressed and lost, pursuing what I thought would bring me happiness.”

Then Jesus [fill in the blank with how He encountered you in a particular way] and proclaim that Jesus has changed your life. (E.g. “Then Jesus met me where I was at and assured me of His love. He has transformed my life.”

Now I am [blank] and [blank]. Fill in these blanks with one of your new characteristics because of Jesus and another characteristic because of Jesus. (E.g. “Now I am free and unashamed” or “Now I am at peace and I know I am loved.”)

Speaking from personal experience, God has very recently opened the door to numerous ongoing discipleship opportunities with different people after He inspired me to simply share my own “I was…then Jesus…now I am…” testimony. This format is a power-packed tool for impact. By using it, I’ve seen God pave ways to go deeper in conversation, build lasting friendships, and share the Good News of Jesus.

I recently shared my “I was…then Jesus…now I am…” testimony with a guy who claimed to be an atheist. God used my simple testimony to inspire him to be open and honest about where he was at, including his openness to belief in God. We have continued the conversation over a few months, we’ve grown as friends, and he just let me know: “I can confidently say I am a follower of Jesus!”

Our God is so faithful and able to make His love, power, and presence known. In love for us and for the lost, our persevering Savior wants us to choose to partner with Him. Jesus is able to do extraordinary things through ordinary, willing people.

Sharing this “I was…then Jesus…now I am…” testimony takes a bit of honest vulnerability, but it makes Jesus the focal point and gives Him the glory for His transformative work in our lives. I am convinced that the Lord uses our Spirit-led vulnerability before Him and others to soften hearts and inspire others to be real and vulnerable in response.

The Gospel Transforms Lives Because Someone Is Sent

Think about it: Every follower of Christ has been reached and come to trust in Jesus because someone else faithfully stepped out in obedience. Maybe it was a parent. A friend. A preacher. A missionary. A video, podcast, or a page in a book. Whatever the case may be, someone heard the call and responded.

Likewise, if you look at places around the world today where churches now gather freely and joyfully worship Jesus, you can almost always trace their story back to someone who risked comfort—or even their life—to bring them the Gospel.

These communities didn’t arise from nothing. God sent someone.

So whether we “go down into the pit” or “hold the rope” for those who do, we do so because Christ first came for us, and now He calls us to join Him in making His name known among all peoples, languages, and nations.

Let’s live on mission together!Let’s not settle for less than what Jesus is calling us to pursue with Him.Let’s not be crushed by striving in our own strength—but instead walk in the Spirit as beloved sons and daughters of the King, trusting our Good Shepherd to lead us to do exactly what He has prepared for us to do.And let’s do it all through Christ, empowered by His Spirit—united.

Let’s play our part, for His glory, until all have heard.

We will go down into the pit, if you will hold the rope

Madison Rose & I are building a team to help mobilize us on the mission field. We can give you a call to fill you in on what God has called us to pursue.

If you’re interested in helping God’s Kingdom advance in Europe, let us know!

📧 Email: [email protected]

If you were blessed or positively challenged by this, feel free to leave a comment or share it with a friend.

May the Lord bless you and inspire you to prayerfully consider what role the Lord is inviting you to play in His Great Commission. My encouragement to you, spend some undistracted time in the Lord’s presence. Don’t shy away from silence. Come ready, anticipating that our Good Shepherd is ready and willing to speak to His beloved sheep. Remember His words in John 10:3-4

“…The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”

Jesus continued in verses 14-16:

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Our Good Shepherd says His sheep know His voice and listen to Him. By faith, bring a pen and notebook along as you pause, listen, record, and respond to the voice of your Good Shepherd. Remember, you’re not alone, as Jesus said in Matthew 28:20: “…behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”