Jesus announced that He would build his Church (Matthew 16:18) and the Apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus loves His church and gave his Life for the Church (Ephesians 5:2).
As Melvin Hodges, one of the greatest missionary heroes of the Assembly of God said, “The principle work of missions is establishing a local church.” So why plant churches instead of noble social projects? The Scriptures reveal much of the answer and here’s why:
The church is where disciples are made. (Matt.28:19-20) These early disciples were commissioned to go and to make disciples of all of the nations. The role of the church is to evangelize the lost but it doesn’t stop there. Once a person comes to Christ, the process of discipleship beings – to become a true follower of Christ.
The church has intrinsic value to God – the church has a special relationship with God. He wants a people called by his name as a kingdom of priests. (I Peter 2:9; Acts 15:14; Eph.5:32) A place where He might dwell! (Psalms 2)
The church is the place (as the gathering of Gods’ people) where worship and praise is offered to God. It’s every place where two or more are gathered together in His name! (Matt.18:19) The church is the place were Jesus is revealed and made manifest. I say To Church!
~ Tony Foster
