News & Peace: What Does It Mean to Be a Missionary in America?
- Boundless Team
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
When we think of "missionaries," we often imagine remote villages or distant continents. But what if the greatest mission field in the world was actually right outside your front door in the 901?
What does it mean to be a missionary in America?
Being a missionary in America means recognizing that your neighborhood, from Memphis to Cordova, is a harvest field. It involves living with the intention to Seek the lost, share the message of Salvation, and be Sent by the Holy Spirit into your daily life to serve others.
The Harvest in the 901 and Beyond
For many of us in the Memphis area, mission work feels like something we support through a monthly check or a special missions Sunday. We think of the great work being done in Africa, Asia, or South America. And while that global work is vital, the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions is sounding a trumpet for a different kind of focus: the harvest at our doorstep.
From the quiet streets of Bartlett to the bustling energy of Cordova and the historic heart of Memphis, there is a deep, spiritual hunger. Statistics show that the United States is now one of the largest "unreached" nations in the world. This doesn't mean people haven't heard the name of Jesus; it means they haven't experienced the transformative power of a Spirit-led community that lives out the Gospel in practical, loving ways.
AG U.S. Missions: The "Seek, Save, Send" Vision
The Assemblies of God U.S. Missions recently introduced a framework that is changing how we view our own backyard: Seek, Save, Send. This isn't just a catchy slogan; it’s a biblical blueprint for church mobilization.
Seek: We are called to proactively look for those who are hurting, isolated, or spiritually seeking. In Memphis, this might mean looking for the neighbor who just moved in or the co-worker struggling with anxiety.
Save: This is the core of our faith. We believe in the power of Jesus Christ to save and restore. Our goal is to lead people to a saving relationship with Christ, followed by the empowering baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Send: Every believer is a sent one. Whether you are a teacher in Bartlett, a nurse in Memphis, or a stay-at-home parent in Cordova, you are sent into that space as an ambassador of the Kingdom.
Stories of Mobilization: The River of Life Example
One of the most inspiring examples of this mission-mindedness comes from a small town in Nebraska. The River of Life church plant is a beautiful story of what happens when we prioritize the Kingdom over our own "brand."
River of Life was started not just by one church, but through an incredible interdenominational collaboration. Multiple churches and denominations came together with a single goal: bringing the full-gospel message to a community that desperately needed it. This is exactly what Church Mobilization, the construction and evangelism arm of U.S. Missions, is all about.
Through the work of missionaries like Dan and Libby Zitterkopf, who oversee RV Ministries in states including Nebraska, teams of volunteers travel to help churches build their physical structures while simultaneously building spiritual bridges. These "RV-ers" aren't just carpenters; they are evangelists with hammers. They save churches tens of millions of dollars in construction costs, but more importantly, they model what it means to be a missionary in America: serving where there is a need, without fanfare, for the sake of the Gospel.
Why This Matters for FA Memphis
You might wonder, “How does a church plant in Nebraska affect us here in the 901?” It matters because the same Spirit that mobilized River of Life is the same Spirit moving through First Assembly Memphis.
When we support U.S. Missions, we are part of a larger ecosystem of grace. We aren't just a local church in Memphis; we are part of a national movement of Pentecostal churches dedicated to making sure no neighborhood is left behind. Whether we are serving our local community through outreach or connecting with a global audience through Boundless Online Church, we are living out the "Seek, Save, Send" mission.
Practical Ways to Be a Missionary in Your Neighborhood
Becoming a missionary in America doesn't require a plane ticket. It requires a change in perspective. Here are a few practical ways you can begin to "Seek, Save, and Send" right where you live:
Action Step | Memphis Context | Spiritual Impact |
The "Driveway" Mission | Spend more time in your front yard in Cordova or Bartlett. | Breaks isolation and builds trust with neighbors. |
Intentional Prayer | Pray specifically for the 5 houses to your left and 5 to your right. | Softens the spiritual soil of your street. |
Serve Local | Volunteer with a local Memphis outreach or school. | Demonstrates Christ's love through action. |
Digital Discipleship | Share a service from Boundless Online Church with a distant friend. | Extends the reach of the Gospel beyond geography. |
Holy Spirit Boldness | Ask the Holy Spirit for an opportunity to pray for someone today. | Activates the power of God in everyday moments. |
Defining Our Mission: Key Terms to Know
As we engage in missions, it's helpful to understand the biblical foundations that guide our work as an Assemblies of God community:
Salvation: The gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from sin and restores our relationship with Him.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: An experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, as seen in the Book of Acts.
Sanctification: The ongoing process, led by the Holy Spirit, of being set apart for God and growing in holy character.
Divine Healing: The belief that God still heals the sick today, providing for our physical needs as well as our spiritual ones.
The Harvest is Plentiful
Jesus told His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" (Luke 10:2). This is as true in Memphis today as it was in Galilee two thousand years ago. The "harvest" isn't a project; it's people. It's the family down the street in Bartlett dealing with a health crisis. It's the young professional in downtown Memphis searching for purpose. It's the homebound senior in Cordova who just needs to know they aren't forgotten.
When we join hands with movements like AG U.S. Missions and Church Mobilization, we are saying that we won't let the harvest go to waste. We will be the ones who go. We will be the ones who seek. We will be the ones who love.
A Life-Changing Takeaway
Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. When you live as a missionary in your own community, you make the invisible God visible. You don't have to be a pastor or a theologian; you just have to be willing.
Are you ready to see your neighborhood as a mission field?
Whether you are joining us in person at our Memphis campus or connecting with our global family online, there is a place for you in this mission. We are one church with many doorways, and every doorway leads to a life that can be changed by the power of Jesus.
We’d Love to Connect With You
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person to experience our community and find your place in the mission. You can find more information about our local gatherings at www.famemphis.org.
If you are outside our area or unable to attend locally, you are a vital part of our global reach! Join our online church community at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org to find discipleship, care, and connection from wherever you are.
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
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