Local Missions

Local Missions Strategy

Our strategy for local missions follows three points of emphasis: Cordova, Compassion, and Churches.

Cordova

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7

Every week our church gathers in Cordova, but there are thousands living in this city who drive past our building and never enter. What would happen if Bellevue closed its doors? Would Cordova notice any difference? In Jeremiah 29:7 God tells His people they are a sent people—sent by God into exile to seek the city’s welfare. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), we see again that God’s people are a sent people—Jesus’ disciples must go into the world to make disciples of all nations. God has sent Bellevue to Cordova to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We cannot neglect to take the Gospel to those right across our street.

Compassion

“The LORD of Armies says this: ‘Make fair decisions. Show faithful love and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the resident alien or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’” Zechariah 7:9–10 CSB

One way God’s people should be distinct is in the way they treat vulnerable and suffering people. In the Old Testament, there were laws that protected widows, orphans, sojourners, and the poor. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms that when believers care for the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, and those in prison, we show we are one of His followers (Matthew 25:31–46; Luke 10:25–37). This type of ministry is called “compassion ministry” because it requires one’s heart to be moved to action by another person’s suffering. When we are hopeless in our sin, Jesus had compassion on us. Shouldn’t we show compassion to the vulnerable around us?

Churches

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:4–5

Since God gave believers the Holy Spirit during Pentecost, the local church has been God’s primary way of spreading the Gospel. In Acts 13, the church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to make disciples in other cities. More churches were formed, and those churches made more disciples. God has placed churches throughout Memphis and the Mid-South, and Bellevue seeks to partner with and encourage those churches so we can engage our city with the Gospel. The more healthy churches there are, the more Jesus is shared. Imagine—what if every church in Memphis worked together to make disciples? Memphis would be different.