Empowered to Reach the Nation

Spirit empowerment is critical to reaching the ever-increasing diversity of the United States. On our own, we each may be able to reach a few in our close-knit communities, but there are millions of people here in the United States who need to know how much Jesus loves them, and how Spirit empowerment can change their lives.

As followers of Christ, you and I are called to share the good news and make disciples in all nations throughout the world. Assemblies of God U.S. Missions (AGUSM) strategically partners with the Church to fulfill the Great Commission here in the United States.

Titus 3:5 declares, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” We received Him at conversion, however, He is released through the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus understood the importance of needing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives. The baptism in the Holy Spirit isn’t for our enjoyment, it’s for our employment. It has purpose and enables us to go beyond what we could do on our own. In fact Jesus told His followers to wait for it. In Acts 1:4,5 we read, “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” Jesus knew that without Spirit empowerment, the disciples wouldn’t be able to accomplish the assignment He had given them.

Look at Paul. He was a Pharisee, educated by the top leaders in the Jewish community at the time. As knowledgeable and as rooted in the Jewish faith as Paul was, it was the baptism in the Holy Spirit that catapulted him into his assignment.

Since our formal founding in 1945, AGUSM has existed to reach people in communities across our nation who may never come to Christ, nor have an interest in church attendance. Through U.S. missionaries, chaplains, and project volunteers, the U.S. Missions team befriends the unseen and undesirable, and through relationship leads them to Christ.

With over 18,000 “boots on the ground,” we will never have a large enough field team to reach everyone in the United States with the gospel. As we partner with congregations and individuals to lead, train, and work hand in hand with those in our Fellowship, we can make a far greater impact on our communities through Holy Spirit empowerment than any of us could do on our own. Scripture declares this to be so, stating in Zechariah 4:6, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Spirit empowerment enables us to live more like Jesus rather than just through the words we say. How we believe and how we act every day is how others witness the change in our lives because of what Christ has done. We should be reminded every day that we live a Spirit-empowered, kingdom lifestyle in such a way that our day-to-day activities will advance the Kingdom in the community in which we live. It’s a partnership of heart that is more than giving and praying.

U.S. missionaries and chaplains have developed skills and insights to the people and culture groups in your neighborhood. They have a deep desire to help you reach your community. The U.S. Missions team is available to lead, train, and walk alongside as you reach people with the love of Christ. Together, through the power of the Spirit, we can make an eternal difference in our nation.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the magazine Pentecostals.