The Mission Never Changes: Sharing Jesus in a Changing World

The world around us is constantly shifting. Technology advances overnight, culture turns on a dime, and even the way we gather as a Church looks different than it did a generation ago. Sometimes it feels like everything is in motion. But one thing has never changed, and never will: God’s mission and His message.

Methods change, but the mission never does. Jesus is with us always.

The Gospel That Stays the Same

Twenty-seven years ago my home church,The Crossing, began with one small step of faith here in Las Vegas. From that step, God has grown it into multiple campuses, reaching thousands locally and countless more online. The methods have adapted, but the heartbeat has stayed the same: helping people discover Jesus and the journey.

We see this same pattern clearly in the book of Acts. Peter spoke to Jews in Jerusalem, pointing to Scripture they already knew. Paul preached in Athens by quoting Greek poets and philosophers. The gospel didn’t change — but the way they shared it did change.

That’s our calling too. Today, many people don’t know the Bible — quite often we're the only 'church' some will ever see lived out. Some people are skeptical of institutions, and some carry deep wounds from past church experiences. Like Paul, we’re invited to build bridges, find common ground, and meet people where they are — so they can discover Jesus for themselves.

The Great Commission for Every Generation

Jesus’ final words to His disciples, known as The Great Commission, remind us what this looks like in our everyday lives:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”— Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV)

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• The Mission: Jesus told His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations.” In Mark’s version, it says, “preach the Gospel to every creature.” Both carry the same heartbeat: the message is for the whole world. Jesus wasn’t speaking just to the Eleven that day — He was commissioning every believer across every generation to take up the call to share the good news.
  

• The Mark of Discipleship: He gave baptism as the sign of belonging — not just a ritual, but a way of being brought fully into the life and grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  

• The Ongoing Work: Making disciples doesn’t stop at conversion. Jesus told them to teach new believers “to obey everything I have commanded.” It’s both missionary and pastoral: reaching the lost, and then nurturing them in their faith.
  

• The Encouragements:  Front-end assurance: Jesus holds "all authority in heaven and on earth." Every power, every movement, every heart is under His sovereign hand.

  Back-end promise: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Not one day will pass without His presence with us.

Reflection

• Where is God giving me opportunities to build a bridge and share my faith?

• Do I most need to remember Jesus’ authority today, or His presence?

A Prayer for Today

Lord, thank You that Your mission never changes. Thank You for trusting me to carry Your good news into a world that desperately needs the hope only You can offer. Give me creativity and courage to share my faith in ways that connect with others, and remind me that I never go alone — You are always with me. Amen.