Every Journey Matters: Mission Force 2025
“Mind The Gap!” Have you heard that phrase before? It’s the most common phrase we associate with London’s Underground tube, followed by “See It. Say It. Sorted.” As the leaders sat on the tube this year, numb to those phrases we’ve heard for years, surrounded by the fourth team of “Mission Forcers” taking it all in, our attention was drawn to a small detail in the midst of the big city. An often overlooked, but powerful detail. One that has been right in front of our eyes each one of the 40 days we’ve spent in London since 2022. Three words below the British Transport Underground logo:
“Every Journey Matters”
There’s a certain beauty to the Underground tube. You might laugh at that statement! Most likely because when I said that, you envisioned dirty train tracks, a crowded space, maybe some trash on the floor, an occasional critter, and the distinct hot air smell that I won’t be able to explain in words here. But in true Underground fashion, let’s look below the surface for a moment. On average, the tube accommodates up to 5 million “journeys” a day. You read that correctly: 5 million journeys per day. And British Transport says that every one of those matters. I think we can say with confidence that Jesus would agree. A CEO hops on and sits next to a worker going in for his first day. Two people on their first date run in holding hands and sit next to a couple who has been married for forty years - still holding hands. A tourist visiting Big Ben rushes in a bit lost reading the tube map and sits next to a worker of Parliament. And then a team of 10 New England missionaries catches everyone’s eye as they flood the tube with joy (and sometimes singing) and sit next to countless people who don’t yet know Jesus, but are now one seat closer to knowing Him. Like I said before: there’s a certain beauty to the Underground. The beauty of every journey ~ mattering.
The 72 in 72
We were blessed this year to continue our yearly partnership with “The Living Room Club”. This is a cafe that is operated by missionaries who work half of the week serving coffee and the other half leading interest groups of their choice to build relationships in the community. These can be ESL courses, cooking classes, a book club, a soccer program, photography classes, and so much more! This year was a special year because we got to participate in their program called “The 72”. Inspired by Luke 10, we were sent out all over the city, two by two. We would spend the morning learning about missions and topics related to our role as the church and we would spend the afternoons doing outreach and hosting events in the community. Our team was split up and went to Camden, Dalston, Canary Wharf, and SoHo. Activities included prayer walking, playing with kids in the park, a sushi making class, a flash mob, evangelism tabling, and sports ministry.
Crossing Paths at King’s Cross
One of our favorite visits every year is what has become our home church when we are in London ~ Kings Cross Baptist Church. KCBC is a multi-cultural, multi-generational church that seeks to live and proclaim the great news of Jesus to the city! Their diversity says something powerful and profound to this world: that people from every age group, nation, and background are invited to be part of God’s family through Jesus. They currently have over thirty nationalities in their fellowship and it is such a glimpse of Heaven when we get the opportunity to join them on Sunday morning. We are also always so blessed by our time together with their pastor, Alan, and his wife, Anya. They never fail to make us smile, encourage us, and challenge our ideas and vision for ministry in such an impactful way that leaves us getting on the plane thinking and saying... what now, Lord?
Redemption Station Via Chapter 10
We took a new approach this year to our team’s daily devotional. Usually, we would try to focus on one book of the Bible or do a topic or character-based study. However, because we were so focused on Luke 10 as a part of “The 72” experience, we decided to explore different “Chapter 10’s” of the Bible and how they relate to missions. It was definitely a unique approach, but it really highlighted to our team that the Bible is a story of His glory. It is a story of redemption, from Genesis to Revelation. It is a guidebook on how to share the Gospel and how to make disciples of Jesus. So with that in mind, you will never be lacking in receiving wisdom in regards to missions anywhere in the Bible, whether it’s Chapter 1 or Chapter 150 (thanks, Psalms). After all, isn’t that what it is all about? So, if you’re interested, here is our tube map to Redemption Station via Chapter 10. Mind the Gospel! Oh, I mean gap!
The Museum of HIS-tory
Each year, we bring the team to The British Museum. We don’t just go because it’s free (although that is a bonus), but we go so that our team can see that history is really HIS-tory through the historical evidence of the Bible. If you ever get the opportunity to visit London (perhaps it will be with Mission Force), be sure make these stops: The Cyrus Cylinder (c. 539 BCE) from Babylon and inscribed with the decree of Cyrus the Great allowing exiled peoples (including the Jews) to return to their homelands and is often linked with Ezra 1:1–4 and 2 Chronicles 36:22–23. The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (c. 827 BCE) from Nimrud (ancient Assyria) depicts Jehu, king of Israel, bowing before Shalmaneser III and is one of the earliest known depictions of an Israelite figure. Lachish Reliefs (c. 701 BCE) from Nineveh, Assyrian palace of Sennacherib, a wall carving depicting the siege of Lachish, a fortified city of Judah and corroborates the biblical account of Assyrian campaigns during King Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kings 18:13–14). The Flood Tablet (Epic of Gilgamesh, c. 7th century BCE) from Nineveh and contains a Mesopotamian version of the great flood, closely paralleling the Genesis 6–9 flood account.
Bubbles, Basketball, Busking, & Balloons
What do these all have in common? Nothing! But, they are effective ways to do outreach in London. They are also ways we could do outreach right here in New England. We’ve found over the years that the ministry leaders and missionaries in London have a great skill of being able to turn everyday activities into relational and Gospel opportunities. As one of our partners in ministry there says, “We do anything to talk about something”. Whether it’s bubbles, basketball, busking, or balloons, these are just a few examples of doing something to have some fun, create relationships ~ and prayerfully ~ have opportunities to share the life-changing love and hope of Christ. What kinds of things might work in your region of ministry?