Too often in ministry and missions, we see the breakdown of the family unit. Those on the front lines of the great commission are often the most vulnerable to fractures in their closest relationships as the stress of the mission field, persecution, and spiritual warfare wears on them. Jesus told us that the enemy seeks to steal and destroy, but He came that we would have abundant life. Even though living in obedience to Jesus comes with the daily battles “not against flesh and blood,” here at Global Catalytic Ministries we believe that we don’t have to compromise family in our efforts to fulfill the Great Commission.
Biblically we know that God values family. Again and again in scripture He lays out structure for the family unit (Ephesians 5) value for children (Psalm 127) and commands to dwell in unity and understanding (Psalm 133). He also calls every believer to the great commission, commanding us each to go and make disciples in all the world (Matthew 28). God’s commandments never contradict. Therefore, the pressure of ministry doesn’t have to destroy the family. We believe it can actually strengthen it.
Of course, family refers to those blood related, but biblically we also know that all Christians are considered family, brothers and sisters united in Him. In the Garden of Gethsemane, before His death, Jesus told His Father that He desired that we would all be one. Even just as He and the Father were one. We value unity because Jesus values unity. We value unity for every layer of the family unit, whether tied together by blood or bonded by mutual faith. This means that when done right, following God wholeheartedly should actually create new families, not destroy old ones. In the Kingdom of God, there is always growth and always room at the table.
But how do we value family in such a way that we can freely, relentlessly pursue the call of God on our lives without losing our most precious relationships in the process? Simple. We follow the word of God. We practice obedience to all the commands of Jesus. Too often, people begin to prioritize their work, even work unto the gospel, over the relationships in our lives. Yet God is first and foremost a relational God.
He values the family unit more even than we do. When we are in tune with His guidance and living according to His commands, we will value people rightly. In fact, if we are committed to obeying the Bible when it comes to the relationships in our lives just as much as when it comes to preaching the gospel, we will have the healthiest families around.
Here at GCM, we are not committed to missions above all else, we are committed to Jesus. Because of this, we obey every command and our relationships thrive. That’s what one of our value statements is that We will make family, not destroy them. Nothing is more fun than serving God with the people you love. When we are serving from a pure heart not only do our blood relationships grow stronger we also create family units in people not our own, bonded in love.
We move in unity, loving the people God has given us and serving alongside them. Because of this, both our relationships and our ministry can thrive. When we serve together in love, united in both fellowship and purpose, our bonds merely strengthen and our joy is made complete (Phillipians 2:2).
