I don’t remember memorizing Matt. 28:19-20 as a child. These verses, commonly known as the “Great Commission,” were heard regularly at church as I moved through children’s and youth programs.
They have echoed through sermons and songs in every church I have ever attended. Becoming familiar with and memorizing the words of these verses is simple. Yet taking them to heart and living them out is much more challenging. Hudson Taylor, the 19th Century missionary to China, once said, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
Since this command is central to the mission of every Christ-follower, it is never too early to teach the command and to practice putting it into action. This is exactly what children across Oklahoma did recently as they attended Mission Ignition.
Mission Ignition is a hands-on day of missions learning, team building, and gospel sharing. This year more than 800 children and sponsors attended Mission Ignition at four locations: Duncan, Immanuel; Moore, First; Tahlequah, First; and Tulsa, South.
Children and their leaders had the opportunity to hear from individuals and families who have carried out the Great Commission as they served short-term or long-term as missionaries near and far, in places like Tulsa, Utah, New York, Mexico, Peru, Ireland, Kenya, and Tajikistan. Missionaries serving in more restrictive areas of the world—the Middle East, East Asia, and West Africa—also were represented. Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children shared about different aspects of their ministry across the state at each location.
We pray that as children hear from missionaries and learn how God is at work around the world, some of them will be inspired and called to serve in the future. The day didn’t end there. In Moore and Tulsa, children were taught simple methods of sharing the Gospel so that when they left Mission Ignition, they could have a tool to help them obeyed the Great Commission right away. In Tahlequah, children had the opportunity to make “Kid Kits” and hygiene bags for Fostering Hope, Inc. These bags will be given to foster care workers to give to children who find themselves in difficult situations. It is a blessing to see children encouraging kids, pointing them to Jesus!
There are many churches who give children the opportunity to engage in missions learning and missions projects throughout the year. Each year at Mission Ignition, we are able celebrate churches who tell us about their missions projects through the Mission Ignition Challenge. This year, 20 churches were celebrated for helping children learn to obey the Great Commission!
How can your church give children the opportunity seek and accept the opportunity to live out the Great Commission? A day of missions learning is a good place to start.
To find out more about Mission Ignition and the Mission Ignition Challenge, visit
oklahomabaptists.org/missions-ignition.
