Neighbours to Nations

Team
Jun 18
5 min read

Why Global Reach Matters at Divergent Church

At Divergent Church—whether you’ve visited us in Canberra, Queanbeyan, Port Macquarie or elsewhere —you will hopefully hear the phrase: Neighbours to Nations. The phrase is more than just a memorable tagline. We hold the strong belief that Jesus’ love transcends geographical boundaries and cultural differences.

We understand that every Christian has an important calling to show deep care towards their immediate neighbours and all countries across the globe. Our mission exists in both local and global spheres because it encompasses both areas. From neighbourhood barbecues to unreached people groups, we carry one clear message: Jesus extends His love to everyone and His message of salvation reaches every nation.

Jesus never drew lines around His compassion. As people who follow Christ, we must engage both the locality of "here" and the distant "there." Our calling involves participating in an expansive global mission which originates in our local community and reaches every corner of the world.

These ten biblical reasons explain why global mission is essential for Divergent Church because we follow the Scriptural foundation and apply it within our communities while reaching beyond our borders.

1. God’s Heart is for All Nations

God's mission exists throughout Scripture from the very beginning until the end. God unveils His wish for all nations to recognise Him through the entire narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

"All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name." – Psalm 86:9 (NIV)

We demonstrate our commitment to worldwide mission as we mirror God’s universal heart. God created every human being and every nation because He seeks to form relationships with everyone.

2. Jesus Commanded a Global Mission

Jesus’ concluding words before ascending into heaven represented a worldwide directive rather than ordinary instructions.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." – Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV)

The words of Jesus “all nations” indicate His intention for every group to receive His message. The purpose of our work at Divergent Church originates from this divine instruction.

3. The Holy Spirit Empowers Global Witness

God does not send us to global mission through our own power. Jesus bestowed the Holy Spirit's power to fulfil a specific mission.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." – Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Through the Holy Spirit's power we begin our journey with those around us (our neighbours) before expanding our mission to the entire world (to the nations).

4. The Gospel is for Everyone, Everywhere

God shows no partiality because His grace reaches all people. God demonstrated His universal grace to the early church through Peter's declaration.

"I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right." – Acts 10:34–35 (NIV)

Our motivation to spread the gospel stems from the fact that people hold value to God not because they resemble us.

5. Heaven Will Be Filled with Every Nation

Our mission extends beyond our current actions to encompass eternal purposes. It’s a glimpse of eternity.

"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." – Revelation 7:9 (NIV)

Our efforts focus on creating a time when worship brings together people from all backgrounds. Our present actions and donations are guided by this future-oriented vision.

6. Love for Neighbours Naturally Extends to Nations

In response to a question about the most important thing, Jesus provided a straightforward answer.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength... Love your neighbour as yourself." – Mark 12:30–31 (NIV)

The expression “Neighbours to Nations” indicates that we should extend our understanding of "neighbour" beyond our local area. The existence of any person makes them our neighbour who receives God's love.

7. The Church Was Born Multicultural

The initial release of the Holy Spirit established the church as a global entity by nature.

"Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia... we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" – Acts 2:9–11 (NIV)

Pentecost wasn’t just a miracle of languages—it was a picture of what the church was meant to be: multi-ethnic, multilingual, and globally focused.

8. God Blesses Us to Be a Blessing

From Abraham until today God has maintained this plan:

"All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." – Genesis 12:3 (NIV)

Our received blessings—including spiritual and practical ones—are not meant for personal accumulation. Our blessings should reach beyond ourselves to those who have yet to encounter the gospel.

9. We Represent Jesus Wherever We Go

The global mission requires us to be emissaries of representation rather than just occupying locations. We are Christ’s ambassadors:

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." – 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

No matter if we stand across the street or across vast oceans we remain bearers of reconciliation’s message. We go as representatives of Jesus.

10. The World Is Waiting to Hear

Over 3 billion people worldwide do not have full access to the gospel. As Paul wrote:

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" – Romans 10:14 (NIV)

This situation represents a matter of justice beyond mere statistical analysis. All people should be able to learn about Jesus' message of hope and love.

At Divergent Church global mission represents active participation which does not require one to move overseas but includes praying and supporting missionaries along with training and sending local people to serve globally.

We actively send and release people to live and work cross culturally.
Our local churches in Canberra, Queanbeyan, Port Macquarie and beyond prepare and send people not just globally but locally.
We pray regularly for the global church.
We give generously through our Global Projects and support partners locally and abroad.

Global mission is an integral part of the church's purpose, nothing else works in discipleship unless we are headed toward the nations (Matt 28:18 - 20). We abandon the heart of Jesus when we lose our global vision.