In a recent meeting I attended, a NZ mission agency leader proposed that we no longer need to send workers overseas to do evangelism, suggesting instead that we should focus solely on training and funding nationals to reach their own people. The importance of equipping local leaders cannot be overstated, and we agree that national missionaries are best equipped to engage with their own people. However, this perspective overlooks a crucial reality that there are still billions of people in our world who have never heard the good news about Jesus and have no access to it within their own communities.

As New Zealand Christians, we must challenge this notion and recognize our ongoing role in directly reaching those who have no knowledge or opportunity to hear about the new life that Jesus offers. While churches in the Global South are taking up the challenge of sending Christian workers to unreached groups, there is a disturbing undercurrent of thought in Western Churches that the West should not be sending missionaries directly to those who have never heard about Jesus. Presumably, this means that it is now the job of non-Western Christians to do this role.

It is unfortunate that sharing the good news of Jesus has somehow become linked with colonisation in many Western countries. Could it be that we have forgotten that “mission” is always better coming from a posture of weakness and vulnerability instead of perceived “strength” and “wealth”? Is that why we see so many Christians from Western countries wanting to focus on social welfare, justice issues and training national leaders instead of simply following Jesus’ command to “Go and make disciples of all nations?” Are we prepared to lower ourselves into the new cultural context as learners rather than wanting to “save” those who are there?

Today, churches in Korea, Philippines and South America are sending out hundreds of missionaries each year without carrying this unhelpful, colonial, historical baggage. Effective cross-cultural ministry requires humility and deeply learning the language and the culture. This can take many years and flies in the face of expectations that we can see long-term fruit after a two-week short-term trip.

Consider the story of Hudson Taylor, a British missionary who founded the China Inland Mission in the 19th century. Taylor’s willingness to adopt Chinese dress, eat Chinese food, and learn the language helped him build trust and effectively share the gospel. The British government and missionary community of the time criticised his approach and called him crazy. Over time things changed. His approach has inspired countless missionaries to engage deeply with the cultures they serve. I worry that somehow that the Western church is giving up some of the important principles that make cross-cultural ministry effective and fruitful.

The Reality of Frontier People Groups

Consider this startling fact: one-fourth of the world's population lives in what missiologists call Frontier People Groups (FPGs). (www.joshuaproject.net/people_groups/dashboard)

These are communities where:

• There are no followers of Jesus
• There are no known movements towards Christianity
• The Christian population is 0.1% or less

In these groups, people have almost no chance of hearing about Jesus from someone within their own culture. Most of these unreached people will never meet a Christian unless someone from outside their community intentionally goes to them. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority group in Myanmar, with a population of about 1.5 million. (https://joshuaproject.net/frontier) They have faced severe persecution and displacement, and there are virtually no Christians among them. They are scattered among many countries outside their homeland where they are rejected by the general population and the churches near them. Who will go and embrace them with the love of Christ?

The Biblical Mandate Remains

The Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 still stands: "Go and make disciples of all nations." This call was not just for the first-century disciples but for all believers throughout history. While methods may evolve, the core mission stays unchanged.

Paul's words in Romans 10:14-15 are as relevant today as ever: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?"

The Unique Role of Cross-Cultural Missionaries

While training national leaders is vital, it's not always sufficient. In many FPGs, there are scant national believers to train. These groups need pioneer cross-cultural workers who are willing to learn the language, understand the culture, and share the gospel in culturally proper ways.

New Zealand Christians have a unique contribution to make in this endeavour. Our multicultural society, innovative spirit, and history of punching above our weight on the global stage position us well for cross-cultural mission work.

A Call to Action

As Kiwi Christians, we must not shy away from our responsibility and privilege to be directly involved in global missions. Here's how we can respond:

1. Pray: Commit to regular prayer for FPGs and for more workers to be sent.
2. Go: Consider if God is calling you to serve cross-culturally among unreached people groups.
3. Send: Support missionaries financially and emotionally who are working in FPGs.
4. Advocate: Share the need for reaching the unreached with your church and community.
5. Welcome: Engage with people from FPG’s who come to our country as migrants, temporary workers, students, or refugees. Share God’s love with them.
6. Partner: Collaborate with mission agencies focused on FPGs.

Let's not settle for a diminished vision of mission. Instead, let's use the gifts of adaptability, resilience and multicultural engagement that we have as New Zealand Christians to embrace the fullness of our cross-cultural calling. We have a vital role to play in ensuring that every person can hear and respond to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

The task is enormous, but so is our God. Will you join in this great endeavour?