Continuing our missionary service in England

“Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous works among all the peoples.” (Ps 57:9)

Now as a resident of Oxford, England, I have

been struck by how so many of the nations

reside at my back door. I am observing this

place to be of great international influence as a

university city where some of the brightest

future leaders of the world are my neighbors.

From meeting fellow moms from places like

Nigeria or Turkey to leading a discussion

group about the Bible with college students

from places like China and India, it is

becoming obvious to me that I am living in a

unique context and season for global missions.

God keeps expanding my vision towards all

the peoples of the earth. Globalization and

migration are creating more opportunities

among the nations simply where I am planted.

Moreover, when I read the Bible, I am further

convinced of how God has been calling

believers to reach out with His love to the

nations. In the Old Testament alone there are

over 40 different times where God commanded

the Israelites to care for the foreigner in their

midst.

So I also want to encourage you to think

outside of traditional boxes for reaching the

nations. As a Christ-follower, we each have a

call to the nations. It is on God’s heart. Just go

to the book of Psalms and see how often the

words “glory” and “nations” are written.

This is not a time for business as usual. So think

for a moment, who are your newest neighbors? I

want to exhort you to recognize how mission has

come to your door. A plane taking you to the ends

of the earth is not the only option. There are also

people from many different ethnic groups coming

to the United States for education or job

opportunities. Foreigners coming to your

neighborhoods would be so blessed if you would

take the time to offer radical hospitality, build

friendships, and share about the difference Christ

has made in your lives. Some of the people coming

are even from closed countries or unreached

people groups who may not be able to own a Bible

in their own land, let alone legally talk to someone

about Jesus. I pray that we all will have eyes to see

and ears to hear how we can be in ministry to the

nations wherever we are planted. —Nicole