The Mission of God
Anyone who has lived and worked alongside those who are materially poor and oppressed, understands the immense complexities in seeing transformation realized. Having worked with children living on the street, I recognize that changed lives often take long-term commitment and the presence of God working in and through both the recipient and the giver.
There really is no better place to start in talking about transformation than with the Mission of God. The great missiologist David Bosch recognized, “Mission has its origin in the fatherly heart of God” (1980, 240). We see this mission exemplified in God’s initial response in the garden as He speaks to His fallen creation: “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). It’s here where we see God desirous of a restored relationship. He is pursuing His creation – seeking to find those that have turned their back on Him and seeking a renewed relationship. This is a critical point for those who sense a deep feeling of separation and stigmatization. Because mission is an integral part of who God is, mission continues to be the primary means for Church engagement around the world, even as we seek justice and work for healthy development.
“He has shown you, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
- – Micah 6:8
Development and Justice 