Before we moved into our home in 2018, I had a rectangular plaque made for the top of the doorway. The last picture we placed on our wall was that plaque. The plaque reads, “You are now entering the mission field.” This serves as a reminder that, as Christians, we’re all called to be missionaries.

As Christians, we’re all called to be missionaries.

However, churches sometimes compartmentalize their missions, making it a one-time-a-year conference or event that focuses solely on missionaries serving overseas. While those people are important to invest in, it is also essential for children, especially teens, to know that mission opportunities happen the moment they step out the front door.

As parents and grandparents, you as a family may only participate in missions through monetary giving to missionaries serving with a specific organization, or attending a missions conference held at our church. However, that missional mindset is rarely sustained throughout the year.

So, how do parents and grandparents teach their kids that missions happen everywhere?

Acts 1:8 says, “And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you’ll be my witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV) Becoming an Acts 1:8 family means understanding that you can be on mission in your local community, your surrounding towns, and overseas.

Families can participate in all three of these areas, making a difference not only in their local community but also in the world. Here’s how families can best understand and live out the Acts 1:8 model by being missional in their own Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth:

Judea

As a family, choose a mission project. This can be something they contribute to, making a difference in the local community regularly. For example, they can donate food to the local food pantry or volunteer as a family at the pantry. They can volunteer at a local crisis pregnancy center or other nonprofit organization that is seeking volunteers. Although families have other commitments, such as sports and school activities, becoming a missionary family is easier than they think.

They can choose to volunteer once a month or once a quarter. They can invest their time, but they can also invest their resources. For example, teens who have just started working a job can designate part of their money to this new project. Be sure that they choose a project that they feel passionate about. Gen. Z wants to know they’re making a difference in the world. Help them discover that by choosing a project in their community for which they can invest their time, money, and resources. This will not only make a difference in their community but also help them think outside of themselves and help the greater community.

Samaria

Geographically, Samaria and Judea were north and south of Jerusalem. The disciples were able to minister by crossing over into different areas. In the same way, with the proliferation of cars and other technology, families can minister in surrounding towns, sometimes without leaving their home. For example, they can volunteer with their own church or another organization and travel together to do a project in a nearby city. Cities often lack volunteers in areas known for high crime and high traffic.

This is a prime area for families to minister effectively. For example, they may not see many homeless people or poverty in the suburban area where they live, but they may see an abundance of it in a nearby city. Help your teens or grandkids see how other people live. It is easy to become consumed with one’s own areas of interest and overlook the surrounding areas. Helping them to see how fortunate they are will not only help refine their character but also help them to see that there are greater needs out there than they were even aware of.

Helping [children] to see how fortunate they are will not only help refine their character, but also help them to see that there are greater needs out there than they were even aware of.

Sacrifice a Saturday and go down as a family for the day to an area to help the homeless, feed the needy, or minister to those involved in addiction. If it’s physically impossible to make it down due to busy schedules, resolve as a family to sacrifice a little of each person’s paycheck to donate to the cause. Grandparents, parents, and teens can all participate.

It can be one lump sum, or a family can designate a particular jar to put any extra dollars they receive at the end of the week into the jar. At the end of a month or even 2 months, count the money in the jar. Whatever the amount is, double-check and send it to your designated organization. Your family may find that even just a few dollars can make a big difference in their world.

Ends of the Earth

By helping kids and grandkids think missionally right outside their front door, they can see the global need for impact. As Christians, we know Christ is coming back. Matthew 24:14 puts this into perspective: “the gospel will be preached as a testimony to the nations, and then the end will come.” The more we spread the gospel to those who have not heard it, the more we become ready for Christ’s coming. Alll unreached people groups must have the opportunity to hear about and accept Jesus as their Lord. We, as his disciples, are tasked with the responsibility to spread the gospel to as many people as possible. Consider joining your church for an overseas trip to help spread the Gospel.

Study the region and discover what types of needs may be present. For example, many children in third-world countries do not have access to clean water, healthy food, education, or supplies. Choose one of those areas and seek to make a difference. Donate regularly to your church’s missions fund or commit to attending a missions trip in that area. As a family, commit to teaching children the word of God and partnering with missionaries already working in that region to find out precisely what is necessary. Ask your pastor or other leader in your church if you can begin a supply drive in your church to help meet the needs of that area. Volunteer to pack the supplies and ship them as directed.

Finally, mission opportunities are not always found in grand acts or gestures. Being a missionary means standing up for someone at school who does not speak up for themselves. It means being a friend to those who may be ostracized. Help your teens and grandkids understand that simply giving money or time to a cause is not the only way missionaries are made. Help them to see that God refines people’s characters when they seek to be on mission with him.