In this five-part series, which began in the March 18 issue of the Baptist Trumpet, Derrick Bremer has traced Europe’s missionary legacy, its spiritual decline, and the need to rethink strategic missions in light of global influence. This final installment calls churches and believers to move from reflection to response by rekindling a shared commitment to the Great Commission. The other articles in this series are available in the March 18, March 25, April 1, and April 8 issues, and online at BaptistTrumpet.com.

In previous installments, this series traced Europe’s missionary legacy, its spiritual decline, and the need to rethink strategic missions. In this fourth article, Derrick Bremer focuses on France as a case study in global influence and gospel need.

In the March 18 and March 25 issues of the Baptist Trumpet, the first two articles in this series traced how Europe became a launching point for global missions and how it later become a mission field itself. In this third installment, Derrick Bremer challenges us to rethink how we define “strategic” missions today, calling attention to places where the gospel’s absence carries global influence.

In the March 18 issue of the Baptist Trumpet, the first article in this series traced how Europe became a launching point for global missions, sending faithful believers to the ends of the earth. In this second installment, Derrick Bremer examines a sobering reversal — how the same continent became a mission field itself. Understanding this shift not only clarifies Europe’s present spiritual need but also challenges our churches to consider what happens when conviction fades, and comfort replaces calling.

This five-part series traces how Europe once sent missionaries to the world, how it became a mission field, and what its story teaches us about renewing the Great Commission today.

   The witness of heaven marvels at the fellowship of local churches. When a church supports missions, the congregation extends its shared obedience across cities and nations. When believers encourage one another, they participate in God’s chosen means of perseverance and growth.

      God works through communities of redeemed people. He delights to display His wisdom through congregations. He magnifies His Son through the shared life of believers who covenant together in doctrine, worship, and mission.

People who reject God can still demonstrate real wisdom. They may live prudently, exercise discipline, show patience, act courageously, give generously, and practice restraint. They may build stable families, operate ethical businesses, and live peaceable lives. They do not possess saving wisdom, but they are wise nonetheless.

      Why? Because wisdom is embedded in the structure of reality itself.

      To live wisely is to live with the grain of God’s world. To reject wisdom is to live against the grain of creation. Just as ignoring gravity carries consequences regardless of one’s theology, ignoring God’s moral and relational design produces damage no matter who does it.

      It is no surprise, then, that Proverbs often reads like observations about how life actually works.

  The most fruitful moments in ministry come when a church member says, “I’ve heard that word for years, but I never understood its meaning.” When we take time to bring people along, we honor the priesthood of believers and affirm that theological growth is not reserved for experts. We strengthen the whole body when we work to lovingly define terms rather than assuming there’s understanding.

      Churches don’t need pastors who talk over their heads. For that matter, pastors don’t need churches that are perpetually shallow. Shared understanding is built upon patient teaching, honest dialogue, and mutual grace.

Time and experience have helped me to find the people who are really growing. My prayer is that I could help you find them in your life, too. Look for the people who are humble and willing to learn. The people who have it figured out hardly ever know half as much as they think they do. Look for the people who can talk honestly about their failures and their wins. The people who can’t admit their failures normally want to play pretend. The people who downplay reasons for celebrating are play-actors aiming for humility. Look for the people who take criticism well. Those are the people whose identity is in Christ rather than public opinion.

        Instead of chasing after people who look like a finished product, look for fellow travelers who are still learning.

Western missions and church revitalization are necessary expressions of the Great Commission. They represent the church breathing in so that she may breathe out again. They call for leaders who will tend the trellis — strengthening doctrine, discipleship, and gospel clarity — so that the vine may continue to grow.

      Christ’s command has not changed. The fields remain vast. The need remains urgent. Faithfulness today means rejoicing in what God is doing around the world while responding humbly to the gospel vacuum in our own cultural backyard.