The way I hear people on our team talk about Global Disciples is changing significantly. I’ve noticed is that as we introduce people to Global, more of us start by explaining why we do what we do.

Why Global Disciples exists gets to the heart of the matter. It’s about our motivation. And it’s about the need.

We believe that God our Savior “wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). The more intimately we know Jesus, the more we understand His heart, the deeper our passion becomes for others to know Him as their Lord and Savior!

How can it be that 2 of every 7 people in our world today still have not had an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus in a way they can understand and respond to?

It moves my heart and calls me to action! When I share with other Christ-followers that more than 50,000 people die daily*, having never had an opportunity to choose Jesus, it grips their hearts. “For Christ’s love compels us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

With today’s travel and communications technologies, it should be possible for every person to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. The Bible tells us that God does not want anyone to perish but for everyone to come to faith in Christ (2 Peter 3:9). That’s why Global Disciples was started more than 23 years ago. And it’s why we do what we do today.

In the last few decades, the number of people dying of malnutrition and related diseases has steadily declined. Physical poverty is being alleviated, even though we know many still suffer. But the number of people in spiritual poverty—those without access to the Good News of Jesus—continues to grow. This is the challenge before us.

To find long-term, locally sustainable solutions, it’s best to work with people who live near those in need. It’s a wise approach in responding to physical needs. And it’s true as we respond to spiritual needs. We believe near-culture mission is the answer.

That’s why we as Global Disciples do what we do in the way we do it! And the results and outcomes we see verify that the Spirit of God is moving powerfully through what God has called us to do.

-Galen Burkholder, President/CEO