UCCMA WORLD-WIDE CONVENTION FOREIGN DELEGATES: All requests for invitation letters for Visa purposes must be received between October 1 and January 31 (no exceptions). Everyone will be subject to screening by national director.
At the close of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus told His disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (16:15).This charge, vast in scope and incalculable in prospect, must have stunned the imaginations of the tiny group of untraveled and unlettered Galileans who heard Him. All the world? They had never been out of Palestine, and had little concept of lands beyond the Roman Empire. Every creature? They were Jews, whose strict religious code prohibited their intermingling with other peoples. None of them had ventured into the insanctity of a Gentile home, and some would sooner starve than taste non-Jewish food.
Jesus Himself had never visited far from His native land, except for one brief foray into the regions of Tyre and Sidon. He had ministered to non-Jews only on four singular occasions. Other than these instances, Jesus had devoted His entire ministry to His own people, of His own race, language, culture and religion.
How could He expect His humble and limited disciples to do more, to go to all the world and every creature? Besides, even if they had the linguistic, financial, and diplomatic abilities to embark on such a venture, it would take a multiplicity of their own lifetimes to even begin the accomplishment of such a purpose.
Matthew’s version of Jesus’ charge contains something of an answer to the dilemma: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . . Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (28:19, 20).
So Jesus Himself promised to go with them as they visit the nations. He would remain with them to the end of the world. Did He mean the end of the world in terms of time, or in geography? Whichever, it was understood that the world’s history would culminate only when the world’s whole geography was evangelized. Jesus had already told His disciples, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).
But in what way would He go with them? He ascended into heaven. How would He go with them, but not return until the task was completed?
Luke records other worlds of Jesus just before He ascends: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Thus Jesus lays out a grand plan. He will be with them as the Holy Ghost, empowering them individually from within, not only to teach but to bear witness of His presence through signs and wonders. They will begin the “Great Commission” among their people, language, and culture (Jerusalem and Judaea), then among people of slightly different language and culture (Samaria), and at last among the peoples of all languages and cultures (the uttermost part of the earth). It would not be a task accomplished within their lifetimes. They were to “teach” the Gospel to others, making new generations of disciples who would continue the work, which would carry on until the end should come.
We Christian ministers of the 21st century are the continuance of the work, teaching, and demonstrating a Gospel conveyed to us through a hundred generations of disciples, and a Power imparted to us through a vast chainy network of apostles and martyrs and missionaries stretching across history and geography through 20 centuries and on every continent and island. The charge is ours now.
For our part, United Christian Missions was begun through the efforts of Bro. H. Richard Hall and Sis. Amelia Hall in their early work in the Caribbean Islands. Others licensed in our ranks followed suit in Latin America, India, and Africa. Bro. Jim Pursifull began planting churches in Mexico.
In 1979, Bro. Hall appointed Mike Shreve to go to India and me, Pat Hayes, to go to African to organize ministerial associations. Since then United Christian has gained ministers throughout India and Africa.
United Christian preachers have ministered to presidents, kings, prime ministers, tribal chiefs, and diplomatic representatives in many countries. Some of United Christian national (native) ministers have been persecuted, some have been tortured and martyred or have seen family members murdered. In parts of Africa, some United Christian churches have been burned. Still the work goes on.
My missions trips are funded by your offerings to United Christian Church and Ministerial Association. All travel expenses for these missionary endeavors sponsored in full by UCCMA. If you desire to see UCCMA Missions continue to fulfill the Great Commission, send your offering today to UCCMA, PO Box 700, Cleveland, TN 37364. You may also make a donation on this website. Won’t you help spread the Gospel of Jesus today?
When you send your tithes and offerings to United Christian Church and Ministerial Assoc., you are part of the missions, the printed page, TV production, evangelism and Bible courses. You are part of every outreach United Christian sponsors. Every soul who is won through any United Christian ministry is because of your faithfulness to the work of the Lord. We could not do this work without your offerings. Please send your tithe or offering today.
UCCMA ministers from around the world are welcome to attend the UCCMA Annual Campmeeting Convention in Cleveland, Tennessee, USA.
Invitation letters may be obtained through the UCCMA appointed representative in your nation. UCCMA WORLD-WIDE CONVENTION FOREIGN DELEGATES: All requests for invitation letters for Visa purposes must be received between October 1 and January 31 (no exceptions). Everyone will be subject to screening by national director.You will find the list of representatives and their contact information in printable form below. (This does not apply to US ministers since they do not require invitation letters.) If your country is not listed, please contact the UCCMA Missions department at:
uccministry@gmail.com
