A Vast Mission Field Awaits
Bunbury Youth, have you ever thought about the millions of people who have never heard about Jesus? One of the largest unreached groups in the world is Buddhists, making up over 520 million people. Many live in Southeast Asia, where less than 1% of the population has accepted Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are called to share the Gospel with all nations, including those who have never encountered Him. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” This includes Buddhists, many of whom have never had the opportunity to hear the Good News. The mission is unfinished, and God is calling young people—like us—to step up and be part of His plan. Are you willing to answer the call?
Jesus’ Command: Go to All Nations
Jesus’ final words on earth, known as the Great Commission, were a command to His followers to go into all the world and make disciples. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:18-19, NKJV). This includes regions where Buddhism is deeply rooted, such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. In these nations, Christians are a tiny minority, and many Buddhists have never heard about Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.
Understanding Buddhism: A Different Perspective on Salvation
Buddhism is an ancient religion with three major branches: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. While their beliefs vary, most Buddhists strive for enlightenment by following moral principles and practicing meditation. However, many struggle with the assurance of salvation. Unlike Christianity, which offers salvation as a free gift through Jesus Christ, Buddhism teaches that people must achieve their own salvation through personal effort. This is where the Good News of Jesus makes a difference—He offers salvation not based on what we do, but on what He has already done.
Reaching Buddhists: Love in Action
Sharing the Gospel with Buddhists requires wisdom, patience, and love. Instead of debating beliefs, we should focus on building friendships and showing Christ’s love through our actions. Simple acts of kindness, like sharing a meal or offering to pray for someone, can open doors to deeper conversations. Jesus Himself used practical ways to connect with people, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and showing love to the outcasts. When we demonstrate Christ’s love, we create opportunities to share the message of hope.
Breaking Barriers: Making Christianity Relatable
One of the biggest barriers to reaching Buddhists is that they often see Christianity as a foreign religion. To overcome this, we must live out our faith in a way that speaks to their hearts. Mark 6:7 says, “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, knowing that the mission would be difficult. Today, God is still calling us to go—whether that means praying for the unreached, supporting missionaries, or even going on mission trips ourselves.
No More Delays: Prioritizing God’s Mission
The story of the Israelites in Haggai 1 reminds us that sometimes we delay God’s work, thinking it’s “not the right time.” But God calls us to put His mission first. “You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor… Why? Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses” (Haggai 1:9, NLT). This passage challenges us: Are we prioritizing our own plans over God’s mission? If we truly believe in Jesus’ command to reach the lost, we must act now.
How Can You Get Involved?
Bunbury Youth, we may not all be called to travel overseas, but we can still be part of the mission. We can pray for Buddhists, learn about their culture, support missionaries, and share the Gospel with people from different backgrounds in our own communities. The mission is not yet finished—will you be part of God’s plan to reach the unreached?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the millions of Buddhists who have never heard about Jesus, that their hearts will be open to the Gospel.
- Pray for missionaries working in Buddhist-majority countries, that they will be protected and guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that God will give us a heart for missions and the courage to share His love with those who do not know Him.
- Pray for opportunities to show kindness and build relationships with people from different backgrounds, so we can share Jesus’ love effectively.
- Bunbury Youth, the mission is still unfinished. Will you take the next step?
Join Us This Sabbath!
We’re inviting you to our youth-led fellowship and prayer on 22-03-2025 at Bunbury SDA. Whether you’ve been part of the group for a while or you’re looking for a community to belong to, this is for you! Come for worship, connection, and encouragement as we step deeper into God’s mission together.
Also, if you have any prayer requests or questions, we invite you to use our chat bot to reach out—we’d love to support you! 💙
