The Unexpected Path to Global Impact: Weak People, Strong Churches

In the wake of an inspiring mission conference and stirring testimonies from the field, many of us find ourselves asking, "What about us? What can we do now?" The answer may surprise you. It's not about grand gestures or heroic feats, but rather about embracing our weaknesses and building strong local churches. This unexpected path to global impact is beautifully laid out in Romans 12, offering a blueprint for how everyday believers can play a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, presents a compelling case: weak people make strong churches that send faithful missionaries. This counterintuitive approach flies in the face of worldly wisdom, yet it's at the heart of God's design for His church and His mission.

At the core of this approach is a transformed mind. We're called to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This transformation isn't some mystical experience reserved for spiritual elites. It's simply seeing ourselves as we truly are: sinners saved by grace. It means embracing the humbling truth that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Timothy 1:15).

This renewed perspective is the exact opposite of what the world encourages. While society pushes us to climb ladders and seek acclaim, the gospel calls us to "not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think" (Romans 12:3). It's only when we see ourselves as weak that we can truly discern God's will for our lives and offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1) for His purposes.

But how does this weakness translate into strong churches? Paul paints a picture of the body of Christ, where each member has different gifts and functions. Some teach, some serve, some encourage, some give generously, some lead, and some show mercy. The key is that no one has all the gifts. God has intentionally limited us, making it impossible for any individual to fulfill the church's mission alone.

This divine design serves as a constant reminder that we aren't God, we can't save anyone by our own power, and we are fundamentally weak. Yet when brothers and sisters come together in a local church, each offering their unique gifts with humility, something beautiful happens. A strong, healthy body emerges – one that's ready to do gospel work and thrive in its mission.

What does this strong church look like in practice? Paul provides a vivid description:


These aren't isolated commands but interconnected aspects of church life that flow from the gifts and transformed minds of its members. They create an environment where the gospel can flourish and from which it can be sent out to the world.

But how does all of this relate to global missions? Paul's entire letter to the Romans was essentially a missionary update, written by a man longing to take the gospel to unreached places like Spain. He needed a strong, healthy church in Rome to support and send him. The principles he lays out weren't just for their benefit, but for the advancement of the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Consider the story of Caleb, a missionary who faced unimaginable tragedy when his family's plane crashed shortly after arriving on the field. Despite life-altering injuries and ongoing challenges, Caleb's reflection after five years reveals the fruit of a strong, gospel-centered church:

"God does not choose to act through churches or ministers who think they are mighty, but through those who know we are weak without His grace... The Lord was kind to give me limitations, lest I run over his sheep... He is more concerned with the health of our souls than our productivity for his kingdom."

This is the kind of missionary that emerges from churches built on the principles of Romans 12 – those who can face setbacks and suffering while still praising God and remaining faithful to the mission.

The path to sending out such missionaries and making a global impact isn't through sudden, dramatic changes. It's through the steady, faithful practice of loving one another, exercising our gifts, and reaching our communities – all while recognizing our fundamental weakness and dependence on God's grace.

As we embrace this approach, we'll find ourselves better equipped to reach our local communities and send the gospel to the furthest corners of the earth. We'll be able to say with the apostle Paul, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).

We can start by seeing ourselves rightly – as weak sinners saved by a gracious God. We can commit to being active members of our local churches, using our gifts to build up the body. We can love one another deeply, serve sacrificially, and pray fervently. And as we do, we'll find ourselves part of something greater than we could have imagined – a strong church ready to impact the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The journey from weakness to global impact isn't always glamorous. It's filled with ordinary moments of faithfulness, small acts of love, and steady growth in grace. But it's through these very things that God chooses to work, using weak people to build strong churches that send faithful missionaries to the ends of the earth. May we embrace our weakness, celebrate God's strength, and join Him in His mission to reach the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.