To boldly go… 

Since the 1960s, those three words signal adventure and exploration. While you may not be tackling the frontiers of space, you probably have an assignment in life that requires you to go…and to go boldly. 

Jesus gave a mission to those called by His name. People like you and me. We call it the Great Commission.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV).

Go and make disciples.

Go boldly because you go in the authority of Jesus.

Go with boldness and confidence because He is with you.

Boldness characterized the first disciples and apostles as they went out with the Good News of Jesus. They spoke boldly before earthly authorities (Acts 13:46); they were bold in explaining the message of Jesus (Acts 18:26; 19:8). Opposition, abuse, prison, even death did not diminish their boldness.  

Disciples of Jesus boldly go even today. To do their part in fulfilling Jesus’ Commission, men and women, young and old, all over the world are going boldly and often where no one has gone before…or had the courage to go.

People like Franco and his disciple-making friends on motorbikes.

Franco is a pastor in Mexico, and he directs a Global Disciples leadership development program. When he and several others completed the training, they sensed God directing them to boldly go to the unreached places—where no others are willing to go.

They realized they needed to approach it creatively. Since several guys had motorcycles, they called themselves the “Christ Lions” and rode out to the hard places. So far, they have visited 30 communities, have led at least 70 people to faith in Jesus, and planted seven house fellowships.

In one community, a marauding gang had burned the church building and left it in ruins. They had chained then beaten the pastor and left him broken and terrified. Afraid to continue preaching, the pastor had disappeared, along with others from the little fellowship

The Christ Lions rode in, to the great curiosity of the townspeople. Franco and the other “lions” shared the Gospel and worked with the children. Many heard the message and put their faith in Jesus. The Christ Lions decided, “Let’s go to the river and baptize these new believers!” That’s when they noticed the crowd growing—coming out of the jungle were 80 people from the church—the pastor among them. They’d been hiding out since the building was torched! 

Franco and the bikers took everyone back to the burned-out church and held a worship service. They saw God move in amazing ways. This small fellowship has resumed meeting, worshiping together, and adding new believers.

The Christ Lions provide discipleship and encourage the local believers. With their motorcycles, they continue to boldly go, making Jesus known!

What about you? How will you go boldly to accomplish the Great Commission of Jesus?

Go. To your neighbor or over the cubicle wall and share the Good News of Jesus. Go into your community, across the country, even around the world, as God sends you.

Go and make disciples. Introduce people to Jesus, help them grow in relationship with Him, and then pass it on.

Go boldly because you go in the authority of Jesus.

Go with boldness and confidence because He is with you, even to the end.

By the way, you can also help people like Franco to boldly go with the Good News of Jesus. Join THE REACH, with a monthly gift to Global Disciples. Your gifts will help equip and send out people just like you—to share Jesus with unreached people in hard places. Start today!