Jesus said, “Go!” Not “think about going,” not “talk about going,” but “Go!” We are commanded and commissioned by our Lord Jesus Christ to “go and make disciples.” This is the essence of missions. There is no mission work outside of this command. Whether across the street or around the world, we are to be about making disciples.

Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (HCSB)

This is the “Great Commission,” not the “Great Suggestion” or the “Great Option.” We have the privilege to be engaged in the beautiful mission of our Lord Jesus: to make disciples of all nations.

All means all. We can go because our Savior, Jesus Christ, has “all authority.” We are willing to go anywhere because we are to make disciples of “all nations.” We disciple by teaching “all” Jesus commanded. And we know that He is “always” with us.

With this commission, we find healthy balance and synergy. Our goal as we “go” is to find balance in joining with others on mission, whether locally or globally. We also find balance in cooperative missions and direct missions.