God is moving powerfully in Central and Northern California! As we gather momentum, it’s time to reflect on what if…for California and His kingdom.
Recently, while conducting my annual review for The North American Mission Board, I was confronted by a thought-provoking question: Of the values we uphold at Send Network, which one is the least implemented in your area? For me, the answer was clear—Engaging the community with the Gospel.
Despite my fervent passion for planting churches and making disciples, I realized that I had become so absorbed in the process that I overlooked the fundamental principle Jesus modeled for us: engaging communities first.
Vance Pitman, our president at Send Network, has been casting this vision since he started: “Start by engaging the community with the Gospel, make disciples, and then plant the church.” This sequence reflects not just a strategy but the heart of Christ’s mission.
Matthew 9:35-38 captures this beautifully: “And Jesus went throughout ALL the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom.” He saw the crowds and had compassion on them, acknowledging their need for shepherds. Jesus was not passive; He actively sought out every town and every village, ensuring that no one was left untouched by His message.
So … what if?
What if California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) pastors, churches, and congregants collectively chose to pray for God to send workers into the harvest of communities without a Gospel witness?
What if each church committed to engage a specific community, just as Jesus did—sharing the Gospel, meeting needs, making disciples, and ultimately planting churches?
Consider this. California boasts:
- 3,150 communities,
- 483 cities, and
- 58 counties.
Many of these areas lack a vibrant Gospel presence. This is our moment! When we approach community engagement with the heart of service, we not only share the Gospel but also love our neighbors as Jesus taught.
Each one of us has a role to play. Whether you are a pastor, a church member, or someone passionate about outreach, this is a call to action. The Great Commission and Great Commandment is Jesus’ call to every believer.
Think about the people in your community who are “harassed and helpless”—those in need of hope, belonging, and transformation (Matthew 9:36). How can we, as the body of Christ, be the hands and feet that reach out to them?
The process begins with prayer. Let’s fervently seek God’s guidance as we identify communities that lack a CSBC Gospel church presence. Together, we can strategize ways to engage them. By meeting practical needs and sharing the Good News, we plant seeds of faith that will bear fruit in ways we cannot yet imagine.
No one should be overlooked—not one of the 200 language groups in our diverse state, not a single person regardless of their background. This vision of inclusive engagement can spark a church-planting movement like none other in North America, igniting an awakening that many of us, including our Send California Director Will Browning and Executive Director of the California Southern Baptist Convention Pete Ramirez, have been praying for and working toward for years!
I have seen it happen before: when we start small, we can build a movement that creates a ripple effect. Just like a seed sown in fertile soil, our efforts may initially seem insignificant, but with time, those seeds will grow into a mighty harvest. Together, we can witness an extraordinary transformation across our communities.
The stakes are high. With 40 million souls in California, we have an incredible opportunity to impact lives for eternity. Imagine the stories that will emerge as we engage in this mission—stories of hope, healing, and new life in Christ.
So, here’s your action step: Pray. Pick one community without a CSBC Gospel witness. Engage that community with the Gospel. Make disciples. Plant a church. Your efforts will lead to a revival that reshapes our state.
Let us rise together in faith and obedience, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Let’s engage every corner of California, loving our neighbors and sharing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. The time for action is now.
Engage Every Community with the Gospel
A Family of Churches Planting Churches Everywhere for Everyone.
