- Second, prepare for gospel ministry in your city. Urban mission demands serious preparation. Study and teach the biblical view of the city: Not only are urban centers concentrations of sinners and sinfulness, they are also hubs of creativity and influence. Much of Jesus’ ministry and that of the early church took place in cities.
- Once you’ve prayed for insight into the opportunities in your city, open your eyes and look around. Research the history and culture of the city. Find out who lives there and who is coming to live there. One of the distinctive marks of “urbanness” is diversity—cities are filled with both rich and poor, young and old, educated and uneducated. Every global urban center is drawing people from practically all tribes, tongues and nations. Good research will better equip you to find those who need to hear the gospel, know where and among whom churches should be planted, and how best to connect with people in a busy, crowded, fast-moving culture.
- And study good missiology. The foundational issues of missions (cross-cultural communication, contextualization, etc.) are the same whether you work in a rural African village or an upstart Asian megalopolis. Learn the basics and how to apply them to the urban context.
- Finally, preach the gospel in your city. When doing ministry in the city, it’s easy to get caught up in people’s needs. Poverty, homelessness, sexual exploitation and other urban problems can drain an urban missionary’s energy and focus, as can working with the ultra-wealthy and influential. Urban ministry means caring for those in need, and there will be no shortage of need, but the truth of Romans 10:13-15 is as true in cities as anywhere: To call on Jesus, people must hear, and to hear, someone must speak the gospel. Governments and social agencies do lots of good in cities, but they don’t bring the best news that urban peoples need to hear. You do.
Consider cities. They are the next last frontier of Christian missions.
