There’s something unforgettable about the way Jesus met people. He didn’t wait in a synagogue or build a big event. He met fishermen on the shore, sat with a woman at a well, and taught on hillsides where people gathered. He walked into their lives, right where they were, with words that touched their hearts.
In so many ways, this is what the church in Southern Africa today is called to be. Not a building, not just a Sunday event, but a people ready to step into the world around us. We’re called to go where the people are. And we don’t have to look far; they’re all around us—in shopping areas, street corners, workspaces, homes, schools, and, yes, even on the other side of a screen. The mission field isn’t just out there somewhere. It’s in the very places you and I walk every day.
A Church Without Borders
Think about it for a moment. What if the church isn’t just a place we go to, but something we take with us? Every community in Southern Africa has places where people gather, stories waiting to be heard, and needs that can only be met with the love of Christ. It’s the local clinic where people queue to receive care. It’s the taxi rank where people wait for transport. It’s the schoolyard after class. It’s the quiet space on a digital feed, where someone scrolling might just need a word of hope. Jesus didn’t limit His message to certain spaces or certain times. He was constantly moving, constantly meeting people right in the middle of their daily lives. What if we did the same?
Imagine the power of a Corps willing to step outside its doors and see every place as holy ground. To walk into communities and be the hands and feet of Jesus where people already are. It’s not about big programmes or fancy events with special themes or dress codes. It’s about sitting down and truly seeing people—loving them, engaging them right where they are.
The Digital Mission Field
In a way, the mission field has grown larger than ever. Today, people across the country and the globe connect through the digital world. For many, their phones and screens are where they share their lives, seek advice, and search for meaning. It’s a new kind of gathering place, and we have a chance – and a responsibility- to bring hope into that space too.
When we reach out in this way, we’re not just sharing words; we’re stepping into people’s stories. Imagine if we approached our online spaces with the same heart we have for our physical communities—sharing encouragement, posting messages of hope, and using technology to bring the love of Jesus into a place that desperately needs it. We don’t need big plans or perfect words. We just need to show up, to love deeply, and to be willing to let God use even the smallest acts of care and kindness online to touch someone’s heart.
Small Gatherings, Big Impact
We often think that making a difference requires something huge. But the early church was built in homes, around small tables, in intimate gatherings. They met in everyday spaces, and their faith grew strong because it was close and personal. What if we, as The Salvation Army, returned to this model? Imagine small groups meeting in living rooms, under trees, or in a neighbour’s backyard. Think of the power in gathering around a shared meal or praying together at someone’s home. These small gatherings don’t need to be complicated. They just need to be genuine. And when we let people see the love of Jesus in these simple, honest spaces, lives are changed.
Focusing on People Over Programmes
Let us remember that we’re not called to build programmes; we’re called to reach people. And people are everywhere, waiting for someone to truly see them, to walk with them, to care for them. Programmes are tools and are extremely helpful, but people are the heartbeat of our mission.
So let’s keep our eyes open for the simple, everyday opportunities around us. Who’s sitting by themselves, needing a friend? Who in our neighbourhood could use a prayer, a kind word, or just someone willing to listen? When we focus on people, God’s love flows naturally, and real, lasting impact happens.
Go, Trust, and Watch God Move
We may feel unprepared or uncertain about stepping out in new ways. But we don’t go alone. The same God who walked with His disciples to new places is with us today. Jesus’ last words to His followers were, “Go and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19) He didn’t say to wait for them to come to us. He said, “Go.” And when we go, He goes before us, preparing hearts, opening doors, and making a way.
Imagine what could happen if we took that first step, if we stepped out of our comfort zones to meet people right where they are. A Salvation Army that is willing to go where the people are, to love fiercely, listen deeply and point people to Jesus —that’s the kind of church that changes lives.
So let’s take His hand, walk where He leads, and be the church that goes where people are. God has gone ahead of us, and there’s a world desperately needing the hope only He can bring. Let us save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity. The world is waiting …