“Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” - Acts 13:2

In Acts 1:8, Christ prescribed that after one’s community (local evangelism), His servants should evangelize regions further and further abroad (missions).

Missions is not a vacation; it is not social; it is not for sightseeing or cultural education; it is not primarily for material aid (providing food, shelter, money, infrastructure, etc.).  It is for converting souls through the Gospel where no church exists or where churches need help.

Missions is for tested Christians. Missionaries are proven soul-winners on the local level (Barnabas and Saul) who can endure pressure and persecution where people are hostile to the Gospel (Acts 14:19).  A successful mission saves souls and plants or strengthens churches so that believers impact a community.

The Bible does not condone missions that are so short that they can make no lasting impact.  The Holy Spirit sets apart missionaries for a specific task that often requires years or a lifetime of commitment.

Grace Church of Sacramento has planned its first overseas mission for Manipur, India in October of 2011.