"So why do you and Taylor want to be missionaries in the UNITED STATES?"

Taylor and I have recently committed ourselves to be trained as United States missionaries. This has brought a little change to our lives. I left a job that I loved, we moved out of our first home and in with family, and we, God willing, will be moving 3 1/2 hours away to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in late July. This is all so that in turn we can move to somewhere up north or out west to be missionaries to our own country.

We're are about 2 or 3 months removed from this decision, and there is one common response that we get when telling people: "Oh...umm...that's...umm...WHY?"

An idea among some southerners, not all but some, is that there is nothing worth seeing above Virginia. Or, a "why go there when you could stay here" attitude. So why do we want to go there(to a different region) all the while staying here (the US)? Here are a few reasons...

1. There is Something Worth Seeing.

That which is worth seeing are families who don't have access to good bible believing churches come to have a saving faith in Jesus and there lives being turned upside down by the Gospel. I would say that is worth seeing. Being raised in the south most of us take it for granted that there are lots of bible believing churches. We take it so for granted that many southerners have grown desensitized to the good news of the Gospel to the point of it no longer having an effect on our lives. And, while we don't pay attention to what we have, others don't have the blessing of strong evangelical churches.

2. The Bible Commands It.

 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NLT)

That simple. Jesus calls us to take His Gospel into our homes, up the street, across the nation, and around the world. For some reason He has chosen to give us a strong passion for the "across the nation" part. That doesn't mean that we can forget the rest, but we feel like we know where we will be spending most our lives' time.

3. Our Nation Needs It.

Our families need it. Our neighbors need it. Our nation needs it. All the nations need it. Did I mention that our nation really needs it?

I am a firm believer that Christianity is on the decline in America. Our nation, for the most part, is not one that sees Jesus as Lord. We, for the most, are a country that ignores the grace that God has shown us. We should be a missionary destination.

The map below is one that I saw recently. It was produced by researchers at Gallup. This map shows the most religious and most nonreligious states in the US. We don't want to make the US more religious. We want to see our nation experience God and His goodness. I think this map should give us all a greater sense of urgency for the Gospel to be preached across our nation.


(Pinkest=Most Nonreligious/Darkest=Most Religious)

There are many reasons, and I could go on, but I think you get the point. Our nation needs Jesus. We must go. Will you?