International Mission on U.S. Soil

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Spreading God’s Word to an Unreached People Group

Followers of Christ are called to actively spread God’s words and love to bring about spiritual transformation in the world — whether it be our loved ones or strangers from another country. God is moving the nations so that all will hear, and we, as Christians, have been commissioned to advance His Kingdom until He returns (Matthew 28:18-20). But, did you know that God is bringing some of the least reached people groups in the world to be our neighbors? One of those unreached people groups is the Mixtec people from Oaxaca, Mexico. Much to the surprise of the members of Bethany Place Baptist Church, they have been given the opportunity to serve as God’s missionaries to the Mixtec people — in Richmond, Virginia

Can you be a missionary and not leave home?

The term “missionary” is defined as “a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities,” according to dictionary.com. Bethany Church Mission Team Member Kim Satterwhite said, “I have always been fascinated by missionary stories, but I always thought that was work God had given to someone else. I listened and felt almost jealous because God had called them to serve people who are not like us, while I was as unequipped. I was amazed that God could and even would use me — a homeschool mom with no missionary skills and no seminary training.” Kim organized the first Richmond Mixtec Summit. God used her to equip others and prepare them to serve.

Mission Team Member Ben Ward wrote, “God has brought this group of people from thousands of miles away to our doorstep. It’s like an international mission without ever leaving U.S. soil.”

Are there missionary needs that are looking for you?

Many Christians have said to themselves, God has not called me to be a missionary. But Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples.” How much effort would it take to go to the next community and tell others what He has done for you? If we are grateful for what He has done, we will tell others.

Ben Ward wrote about his excitement to take the Gospel to the Mixtec people group, “It was stunning to learn that a group of more than 3,000 unreached Mixtecs — a people we knew nothing about, were living in Richmond right under our noses. We are excited about the opportunity we have to get to know the Mixtec people, to build genuine relationships and to share the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Can you grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ and not live on mission for Him?

If we believe God’s Word is true and take seriously the Great Commission, we will live on mission. Disciples of Jesus Christ will do as He did, “seek and save the lost” and “make disciples.” The fruit of a disciple will be more disciples (Matthew 7:16).

Who are the Mixtec? People of the Rain

The Mixtec are the third-largest group of native Mexican peoples. They call themselves the Ñuu Savi, “People of the Rain.” Their homeland is the Mixteca, a region, which occupies the western half of the Mexican state of Oaxaca and small parts of Guerrero and Puebla states on the northern and western borders of Oaxaca.

According to best estimates, there were about 500,000 Mixtecs residing in Mexico in 1999. (Bartolomé, 1999).

What is an Unreached People Group (UPG)?

An unreached or least-reached people is a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group without outside assistance (Joshua Project).