World Mission Sunday | Pastor Ray Burgos Jr.

The sermon delivered centers on the vital theme of missions and the responsibility of the body of Christ to actively engage in spreading the gospel beyond the walls of the church. Pastor Ray emphasizes that the mission of God is not confined to attending church services but entails going out into the world to reach those who have never heard the gospel. Using Romans 10:13-15 as the foundational scripture, the message unpacks the chain of salvation—calling, believing, hearing, preaching, and sending—and highlights the urgency and necessity of being sent to preach the good news.  

The sermon is part of a broader series focused on missions, progressing from recognizing the need, understanding that everyone is called regardless of their vocation, acknowledging the cost of caring, and culminating in the current message about carrying the call. Key statistics illustrate the vast global and local mission fields, noting that over 42% of the world’s people groups remain unreached, with 3.4 billion people having never heard the name of Jesus. Furthermore, Pastor Ray addresses the misconception that the United States is fully reached, pointing out that 29% of American adults are religiously unaffiliated and only three out of ten attend church regularly, underscoring the domestic mission field’s importance.

The sermon challenges believers to move beyond comfort zones and complacency, insisting that love must move feet—action is required to respond to the call. It stresses that the gospel advances through obedient people who say “yes” to being sent, even when it means discomfort, sacrifice, or misunderstanding by others. The call to carry the mission comes with honor, symbolized by Paul’s quote from Isaiah that “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.” These “beautiful feet” are not pampered but scarred and dusty from faithful obedience. The message closes with encouragement that, despite hardships and doubts, saying “yes” to God’s call is worthwhile because it enables others to also say “yes” to Christ.

 Highlights  

- The mission of God transcends church walls; it involves actively reaching unreached people worldwide and locally.  

- Romans 10:13-15 outlines the necessity of being sent to preach the gospel for salvation to occur.  

- Over 42% of global people groups remain unreached, equating to 3.4 billion people who have never heard Jesus’ name.  

- The United States still represents a significant mission field, with 29% of adults religiously unaffiliated and only 30% attending church weekly.  

- Everyone who follows Jesus is called to a mission field, whether secular or full-time ministry.  

- Carrying the call involves sacrifice and discomfort but comes with divine honor, described as “beautiful feet” in Scripture.  

- Saying “yes” to God’s call enables others to also respond to Christ, making the mission’s impact eternal and communal.

 Key Insights  

- Mission is a Continuous Lifestyle, Not a Monthly Theme: The sermon stresses that mission is not confined to a single month or event but is a perpetual calling for every believer. This mindset challenges the church to integrate mission into everyday life, fostering a culture where outreach and evangelism are habitual and not seasonal.  

- Salvation’s Chain of Urgency Requires Being Sent: Paul’s words in Romans 10 build a logical progression—people cannot call on God without believing, cannot believe without hearing, cannot hear without preaching, and cannot preach unless sent. This chain underscores the critical role believers play as sent ones, making mission an active obedience rather than passive hope.  

- Global and Local Mission Fields Are Vast and Urgent: The statistics reveal the staggering reality that billions remain unreached globally, emphasizing that mission work is far from complete. Simultaneously, the domestic mission field is equally pressing, with millions in the U.S. disconnected from the church and gospel, dispelling the illusion that some places are “done” missions-wise.  

- Everyone Is Called, Regardless of Role or Vocation: The sermon dismantles the false dichotomy between full-time ministry and secular work, affirming that wherever one is placed is their mission field. This insight empowers all believers to view their daily environments as strategic mission fields where God can use them to influence and reach others.  

- Compassion Motivates Missionary Action, But Caring Has a Cost: The example of Jesus’ compassion leading to sacrifice frames the cost of caring as an unavoidable aspect of mission work. Believers are called to embrace discomfort, sacrifice, and sometimes misunderstanding, reflecting Christ’s own costly love and commitment to the lost.  

- Obedience to the Call Results in Divine Honor, Not Necessarily Earthly Reward: The concept of “beautiful feet” honors those who faithfully carry the gospel despite challenges. This biblical metaphor reframes success in missions as faithfulness rather than comfort or recognition, encouraging perseverance even without visible or material reward.  

- Saying “Yes” to the Call Multiplies Impact: The closing insight that one person’s obedience enables another’s salvation highlights the communal and eternal effects of mission obedience. It reminds believers their yes is part of a larger divine movement, offering both encouragement and accountability to respond to God’s call.  

This sermon skillfully combines biblical exposition, personal storytelling, and practical application to motivate believers toward active participation in missions. By grounding the message in Romans 10, it provides a clear theological foundation that frames mission as not merely a good idea but an essential element in the chain of salvation. Pastor Ray’s use of real statistics about unreached people groups and unchurched populations in the U.S. powerfully contextualizes the urgency and scope of the mission, breaking through cultural complacency that often hinders outreach efforts.

The emphasis on “carrying the call” rather than just “hearing the call” shifts the focus from passive reception to active responsibility. This transition is crucial for churches and individuals who may feel inspired but unsure how to move forward. The sermon acknowledges the realities of discomfort, sacrifice, and opposition, which serves to prepare and strengthen believers rather than discourage them. The metaphor of “beautiful feet” effectively honors faithful obedience and reframes suffering and hardship as marks of honor in God’s eyes, not signs of failure or folly.

Moreover, the sermon’s inclusive approach to calling—recognizing that mission fields extend beyond traditional ministry roles into workplaces and everyday settings—empowers all believers to see themselves as vital participants in God’s mission. This democratization of the call breaks down barriers that limit mission involvement to a select few, fostering a holistic view of the church’s role in the world.

The personal anecdotes about Pastor Ray’s own experience, as well as references to local pastors and missionaries, add authenticity and relatability to the message, making it more impactful. The sermon’s final encouragement—that one’s yes to God’s call has ripple effects beyond what can be seen—provides a profound motivation to persevere despite challenges.

This sermon is a compelling call to action that balances theological depth with practical urgency, encouraging the church to move from awareness to active participation in the global and local missions mandate. It challenges complacency, invites sacrifice, and promises divine honor for those who faithfully carry the call.