Mission Without Limits: “Think Global and Act Local”
By: Mitzi Villegas
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” —Lamentations 3:22-23
Mission Without Limits is a short missionary project that arose from the need to fully minister to our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This missionary opportunity consists in groups of volunteer missionaries of 3-10 people serving their community for 7 days, while observing all pertinent health indications. This initiative emerged from the Global Missions ministry as a way of thinking about missions in a glocal way. This term is made up of the words: global and local. And Missions Without Limits sought to be glocal because teams of young missionaries served locally, while always keeping in mind the global impact of the Kingdom of God. At the same time, participants connected before, during, and after the event with people from other countries and cultures, since the project took place simultaneously in different areas of our region.
For two weeks (from December 14th to 20th, 2020 and from January 4th to 10th, 2021), The Mesoamerica Region saw a massive mobilization of youth, adults and children in 41 sites within 10 countries: a total of 248 participants! Each local group had begun by praying and observing the needs of their neighbors and adapted to their varying contexts. In some places, no in-person activities were permitted by government authorities, so the participants adopted Mission Without Limits to a virtual modality. The Gospel was shared through caravans of clowns and biblical stories, nutrition and recycling workshops, sports championships, medical and cleaning brigades, Bible schools, donation of hygiene kits, school supplies and food and clothing, repairing of neighbors’ roofs and houses, and more!
God is really interested meeting his children’s needs in creative ways – even during a pandemic! He has no limits, nor does his reconciling work, and his Church is alive through his Spirit. The Mesoamerica Region is witness to this, since no borders, languages or cultures were crossed during the activity, but God surpassed all limitations. Young people bravely and responsibly abided by all safety and health measures while continuing to share the gospel. Hygiene guidelines of each country were followed and creativity in serving was the norm. Each small group was led by the Holy Spirit to transform its own community while adapting to a rampant global healthcare crisis!
Narda Abigail Paz Ruíz, who participated in the virtual site in Mexico, shared the following: “My experience in Mission Without Limits was beautiful and surprising, because I discovered a different way of doing mission. I was discouraged because my site had been canceled due to the many cases of the virus. But God provided a way for me to participate online, and I could see that God’s mission really has no limits. I was filled with joy to see that people I love were able to hear the message of salvation through video calls and receive Him in their hearts. I also thank God that we were able to work with the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries of the Oaxaca District to give shoes to the windshield wipers and to the vendors at traffic lights. I hope all these activities that have been taking place in the region can inspire other brothers and sisters to share the love and hope we have in God in creative ways.”
Mission Without Limits transformed communities and the volunteer missionaries, as well. This project was characterized by the new: new callings, new ministries, new believers who need to be discipled, new churches planted, and a new way of thinking about missions. Let’s keep dreaming about how to continue serving our communities. Let’s remember that the Word of God never returns empty and that the fruit of the Lord is abundant and remains. He will fulfill his eternal purpose and finish his work; His success is not measured in numbers, but in transformed lives. His love does not end, his compassion does not run dry, and his mission has no limits!
Transform the Globe 