In John 17:23, Jesus prayed for His future followers, “…May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know you sent me, and that you love them even as you love me.” He was praying for us: that we would be united, but not just for the sake of unity. It was His mission that He had ultimately in mind…to make sure the world knows that God loves them and that He sent His Son Jesus to die for them.
It is this core prayer and vision of God that The Sending Project focused on. Yes, unity is important to us. We regularly and fervently pray for unity in the big “C” Church of Kansas City, and beyond. But we’re praying for unity for the sake of more people groups and individuals knowing the love of God. We believe that our extension ministry of the Kansas City Church will be most effective and beautiful when the churches of the KC area are working strategically together. This is not just a “gather ‘round the campfire and sing songs together” unity (which, by the way, is a great thing…I love to do that!). But this is a unity which is central to the person of Jesus Christ, and He clearly had, and has, world mission on his mind.
This task of world mission must have been so important to Jesus, as He prayed for it right before He was arrested and crucified. It must be one of His highest priorities. And I doubt very seriously if He stopped praying for it after He left earth. I believe He’s still praying for it today! So…when you get involved with this vision of “uniting the Church to eliminate physical and spiritual poverty,” which will make God’s name more famous among the nations, you’re a part of answering the prayer of Jesus!
Posted on
Tue, October 26, 2010
by Eric Rochester
filed under