Live on Mission

Tony Sammut - October 31, 2021

In this past Sunday’s message, we were reminded that one of the ways we grow is by “Living on Mission”. And our mission really comes out of the mission that Jesus lived on.

Jesus was on a mission to build His Kingdom. But that didn’t mean to set up a new government or conquer an area of land. Jesus’ mission was all about people. He came for the poor, the captives, the blind the oppressed. He came to bring them good news, healing, freedom, and renewal.

And then he told his followers, “Just as the Father has sent me, so I’m sending you” (John 20:21). He’s sent us into the world to reach out to these same groups of people with the same good news of healing, freedom and renewal.

So it begs the question: Who are those people in your life? Your friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, classmates? Your home group, alpha group, someone from our Ladies Night ministry?

We took a moment in the service to consider this with a simple exercise of imaginative prayer. Go back into that prayer with Jesus and remember what he said to you. Or, if you missed the message, do it for the first time.

Picture you and Jesus sitting at a table.

Jesus has a smile on his face, and he’s leaning forward, excited to show you something. He unrolls a piece of paper, that almost looks like a rolled up map, but there’s nothing written on it. Then he draws a circle on it and says, “These people are the ones who I’m sending you to.”

Who is the first person or first group of people that come to mind for you?

How do you respond to Jesus in light of this?

Ask Him:: “Show me how you’re working in that person’s life. Show me what you want me to do to bring a glimpse of your Kingdom to them.”

Take a moment and share with Jesus how you want to respond.

Day 2: Read Matthew 28:16-20

Many of us are more than familiar with these famous words of Jesus – His “Great Commission”. These are some of Jesus’ last words to his first followers, and it’s no mystery as to why Matthew included them as the last word of his entire account too. They’re meant to be words that direct all of us.

With that said, perhaps one important question to ask as we consider what it means to “Live on Mission”, is: What exactly was Jesus’ command here?

Maybe that sounds like an unnecessary question for you. Just read the verse. It’s right there. But in the original language, there is only one word in this whole statement that was an “imperative” – a command. The emphasizing directive. And the rest helped to describe what that one main directive was to look like.

So, what’s the directive?

Was the command to “Go”? Was this about spreading the Good News of Jesus far and wide, to all the other nations? Was this primarily about geography? Covering ground? Well, we know based on the book of Acts that that was certainly part of the outworking of the disciples’ obedience to the Great Commission. But, believe it or not, “Go” was not Jesus’ imperative. That word is actually probably better translated as, “As you go…”.

Was the command to “Make”? Was this about making believers out of non-believers? Making converts? Making people who didn’t follow Jesus into people who did follow Jesus. Well, this was another something that we know happened as a result of the disciples following Jesus’ words. When they spoke and acted, people believed! But, believe it or not, “Make” wasn’t Jesus’ imperative either.

So what was it then?

Well, unfortunately in our English translation, it’s harder to pick up. But the one word in this statement that held the heart of Jesus’ commission to his first followers and to all his followers that would follow was this:

“Disciple”.

Not as a noun, but as a verb. Disciple.

Disciple, as you go about your every-day life – whether that’s close to home in your regular daily activities, or far away to intentionally bring the Good News of Jesus to others, Disciple.

Disciple, as you interact with people. All people, from all nations – whether near or far.

Disciple, as you share with doubters and skeptics and non-believers. Some will believe and become disciples (and disciplers) themselves – which is when they’ll get baptized.

Disciple, as you interact with others who are journeying themselves with Jesus – as we all learn to obey (put into practice) all that Jesus has commanded.

Disciple, knowing that we don’t follow Jesus’ command to do this on our own, but He is with us. He goes with us. He disciples with us. We disciple others as we bring His presence along with us to them. And He continues to disciple us along the way as we follow His call to disciple others.

Take a few minutes to reflect on the commission that Jesus has given you to disciple…

Reflect on the people you will be meeting and interacting with today. What could it look like for you to bring Jesus with you into those interactions? Ask Jesus if He has anything He wants to share with you about that.

Just as it says in v. 17, we too can respond to this command with both a sense of worship and faith, as well as doubt. Share any mixed emotions you have with Jesus. Ask Him to strengthen you with His power to live as a discipler wherever you are.

Day 3: Live on Mission in Bolton

Read Isaiah 58:9-12

As part of this week’s “Live on Mission” theme, we thought it would be fitting to give you some time learn about the missional opportunities at each one of our sites and to pray for God to build his Kingdom in each of the places where we live and worship at The Well.

Today, we focus on Bolton – a town of multi-faceted dimensions. In Bolton…

City meets country. On one hand, there are many people who are connected to the bigger cities that surround Bolton – they work in the city (Toronto or Mississauga or Vaughan), or have moved there from the city. But on the other hand, Bolton is a stone’s throw away from the country, and there are all kinds of country connections that make Bolton the town that it is.

Young meets old. On one hand, there are many people that have lived in Bolton for decades and have witnessed the town grow and develop over the years. Alongside this group, many younger people have moved into new developments to begin raising their families.

Future Development meets Past History. Bolton is host to an historic downtown, and has roots that go back to the 1820’s. Yet the town’s development continues, with new housing, industry, and a projected new highway that will likely bring not just more traffic, but more people into the area.

Need meets Affluence. There is a very diverse socio-economic range that makes up the town of Bolton. Multi-million dollar mansions stand within a few-minutes’ drive to our local food bank, which supplies food support to 350+ families in the community.

As a church community, we want to be in the community and for the community. There are many needs that exist here. Some are very visible. Others remain behind closed doors, more difficult to see at first. But we want to be a church community that is known for loving and serving our neighbours in Jesus’ name.

Pray that we would be able to establish and build on partnerships with local organizations who are serving the practical needs of people in the community.

Pray that our Sunday services at the Albion Bolton Community Centre will be noticed by many who come by the ABCC for other reasons, and that people will be drawn to our church.

Pray that God will use our people as agents of healing and hope for their friends, neighbours and colleagues.

Pray that God would continue to renew our church, so that we can be a greater source of renewal for others.

Day 4: Live on Mission – King
Written by Melissa Jurik

Read: Luke 10: 25-37

Maybe my confession will surprise you.
People often make assumptions about me because I talk a lot and smile and welcome people to church each week. It’s fair to say I’m generally pretty friendly.
But I am a terrible neighbour. Horrible, actually.
I grew up on 10 acres, where my closest visible neighbour was my Grandmother. So the concept of being friendly to those living in proximity to me didn’t practically apply for the first 18 years of my life. But I carried that habit forward – I didn’t speak to any of my neighbours in any of the tiny, walk-up apartments I lived in around Toronto. So, even though I would see the same people over and over again, I would avert my eyes, keep my head down and make a bee-line for my door.
The first house we purchased as a married couple was semi-detached and I still have no idea who my neighbours – WHO I SHARED A WALL WITH – were.
Not their names. I don’t even remember their faces.
We then moved to a detached house and I would pull into the garage and enter my house and not ever, ever, ever turn around to see if anyone on my block was around. We strangely ran into our old next door neighbour from that house over quarantine. When he saw us, he immediately pulled over, called out Ruben’s name and asking all about us and our kids – by. name. I couldn’t even remember HIS name, let alone his 2 kids. It’s been 10 years since we moved from that neighbourhood and he was so happy to see us that he literally started searching through his car to give us a gift.
(By the way, his reaction? That’s all because of my husband, Ruben. He is clearly a wonderful, memorable, thoughtful neighbour.
And thank the Lord, he remembered his name)

I believed it when, at church, we would read the passage from today and be taught to broaden our definition of neighbour. We were taught that neighbours weren’t just those technically living beside us. That we are called to be neighbours to anyone in need, anyone God places in our life.
And that gave me the perfect excuse to continue ignoring those in my physical community and just focus on those I choose be around.

So I see now that I believed a lie.
The lie that the people who lived near me weren’t really factors in my life unless they were suffering on the side of the road.
And of course, like any lie, the minute we say it out loud we see how foolish it is. Of course Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan wasn’t saying NOT to care for our actual neighbours…but to care for them AND anyone else in need.

And now, here I am, tasked with planting a church in my neighbourhood. Caring for my neighbours – figuratively AND literally. Honestly, it is hard for me. I have no problem caring for my friends, my family, even those who decide to come out to a service or event at our church.
But what about those I see at the grocery store. At school drop-off. Or my actual neighbours.

At our King/Oak Ridges site we are starting from scratch.
No one knows we are even here. We don’t have a building. We don’t have a permanent sign.
We are a small handful of people living in and around this area of King/Oak Ridges and we are figuring out what it truly means to be a neighbour.
A neighbour to those that look like us, and those that don’t. Those who think like us. Those that don’t. Those that are suffering. And those that don’t appear to be.

Reflect:

Are you a good neighbour? To your literal and figurative neighbours? Are you believing the lie I did?
Perhaps you are feeling led to confess some of the ways you are falling short. Or maybe you are being prompted to rejoice in the rich relationships that you have where you live. Talk to God about this.

Pray: We are planting a 3^rd site (did you know?!?!?) We’d love for you to pray for us!

A little background on King/Oak Ridges:

Fastest growing municipality in York Region (2017 census)
Little to no thriving evangelical church in the area (people travel to Vaughan or Aurora)
Just north of Vaughan, 5 minutes off of Hwy 400, regularly accessed by people from Aurora

The Well in King City has 42 committed adults + 33 youth and kids!!!

Please pray for our New Congregation & New Leaders

For the 25 committed families – For eyes to see those around them who need Jesus’ love, and for the courage to be the neighbour we are called to be
For our Youth and Kids: For excitement, connection and joy with one another as we establish this new faith community

Please pray for the people we are called to reach:

These communities are generally financially affluent but spiritually poor. And they, like us, are emerging from a difficult season.
What if we could speak into their hunger for purpose, better relational health/connection, hope and joy by introducing them to Jesus?
Pray that people would see and experience God’s presence and beauty through this new church community. Through each one of us.
As we joyfully and faithfully follow the way of Jesus, together.

Day 5: Live on Mission in Vaughan
Written by Dave Au
Read Matthew 9:14-17

The pandemic has brought a lot of changes to our lives. We’ve stayed home a lot more, we’ve worked from home, we’ve found new ways to have fun at home, we’ve even worshipped and had our Sunday service at home for a long stretch of time.

Our habits have changed. Our practice of worship has been affected by this pandemic.

Now as the province is re-opening, we are starting to re-engaged in life, and Sunday worship services, home groups also need to find fresh and new ways to adapt to what the pandemic has brought about.

I love the passage we read today.

What Jesus said is simply this: When God is doing a new thing, our approach also needs to be in step with what God is doing. Even renewing our hearts and embracing new ways of thinking

One thing we need to be sure of, is that God is still God pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, or post-pandemic. And he continues to be at work, just as Pastor Vijay reminded us, we are part of God’s work.

Do you believe that God is doing a new thing?

Today we want to focus on Vaughan and pray for Vaughan. is a city that’s booming with new developments everywhere as young families are moving in. A new hospital was built and officially opened just this past June. As you can see there are lots of opportunities to reach people with the good news of Jesus.

That means the Vaughan sites also need to be organized and empowered to live the way of Jesus and to serve others.

Here’s a little bit about the Vaughan site:

1. There are over 8 home groups and 55+ families in The Well Vaughan!

Vaughan has the majority of families and children, with 8+ home groups. All that to say, the need there is huge within the church, but so is the potential to grow

2. Yes, Vaughan is booming, but outside of the spotlight, there is immense brokenness.

Here are some ways we’ve been serving those in need:

We have been serving those traumatized by human trafficking through the Ladies Night ministry; we also delivered 20+ care packages to women in need over Christmas
Divorce Care was held online in 2021, providing a path to recovery for those who have hurt by the pain of divorce

3. The King site launch has given way to new opportunities to raise new helpers and leaders here in Vaughan. Our in-person service team is looking for more helpers to serve!
The Vaughan lead team has been very active in helping with various ministry, serving at the in-person worship services as well as online and serving behind the scene

Pray for People

Those who are tired, exhausted to be rejuvenated with purpose
Those who have been active to be empowered to reach out
Those who have are divorced, or have been trafficked to find Jesus and healing

Pray for Fresh Rhythm of Ministry and Worship

Shaping our liturgy – A posture of openness to worship and respond to God in fresh ways on Sundays
Helpers – Re-entering a new rhythm and re-engaged to serve others
Fresh perspectives – Seeing God’s work through new possibilities