From Mystery to Mission: Embracing Our Calling as the Church
Inspired by the message “Could One Truth Unite A Divided World?”
What drives someone to give up everything—comfort, security, even family—to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth?
More than 150 years ago, Hudson Taylor answered that question not with words, but with his life. At just 21, Taylor left England with a burden for the unreached people of inland China. At the time, most missionaries stayed along the coastlines, but Taylor saw the deeper need. He founded the China Inland Mission, a movement that would eventually send over 800 missionaries and plant churches, schools, and hospitals across the country.
It cost him everything—his wife, children, and health. Western Christians criticized him. He endured sickness, poverty, and profound grief. And yet, he stood firm. Why? Because Taylor understood something many of us forget:
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered—it’s a command to be obeyed.”
“I am no longer anxious about anything, for God knows, He loves, and He reigns.”
This kind of bold, gritty faith doesn’t come from comfort—it comes from clarity. Taylor had moved from mystery to mission. And now, Church, it’s our turn.
Our Mission at Village Parkway
Ephesians 3:9 says our purpose is:
“To bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.”
The Gospel was never meant to be stored away in our Sunday routine or our personal comfort zones. It was meant to be spread. And here at Village, we exist to help people share Christ and know Him more.
The more we treasure Christ, the more we long for others to experience the richness of His grace. This mission isn’t limited to people we naturally connect with or those who look like us. It’s for everyone—the overlooked, the wealthy, the broken, the powerful. The Gospel tears down the walls we build and unites us under one name: Jesus.
Don’t Let Comfort Cement Your Feet
Sometimes we treat our faith like a recliner—comfortable, predictable, and immobile. But we weren't saved to sit. We were saved to go. The mission is not to build holy huddles; it’s to proclaim Christ boldly to each other, to our city, and the world.
God’s wisdom, revealed through His Church, is meant to be on display not just in worship services but in rulers, authorities, and heavenly places. That means our faith is supposed to shake things up. It should challenge systems, confront darkness, and shine light in every corner of culture.
From Mystery to Movement
This is why Village Parkway isn’t just a place to gather. We are a community on mission, fueled by the Gospel and empowered by unity. From local outreach to global missions, our calling is clear:
To illuminate the mystery and move forward as a people sent.
Let’s be a church that treasures Christ, speaks with boldness, and brings light into the darkness—together.
Want to get involved in the mission?
Check out vpbc.net/missions to learn more about our local and global outreach opportunities.
