Our Jerusalem: Faithful Where God Has Placed Us

Jesus has called every one of His followers to make disciples. In Matthew 28:19–20, He commands us to “go” and make disciples of all nations. Acts 1:8 gives us a pattern for gospel mission—to be His witnesses beginning in Jerusalem, then extending outward.

The Great Commission includes both proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. We proclaim the good news of God’s Kingdom, calling people to turn from their sin and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. But Jesus also commands us to teach those who follow Him to obey everything He has commanded.

This is why our Jerusalem matters. How can we walk with people, disciple them, teach them, and encourage them to grow in obedience to Jesus if we are never present where they live? Gospel mission is not simply about having one conversation and moving on. We want to see people come to Christ and then walk alongside them as they learn to follow Him.

For me, that meant looking at the town where God has placed me—Tillsonburg.

Through The Cross Current, I have been equipped to have everyday gospel conversations. I have joined GO Teams and stepped out in other communities, but I realized I had not intentionally stepped into my own Jerusalem.

So this summer, I began setting aside time almost every Thursday to go out, pray to the Lord of the harvest, and ask Him to make me one of the laborers He sends.

And He has been faithful to open doors!

One Thursday, my sister Sue, my seven-year-old niece Melina, and I were walking down the main street of Tillsonburg. We saw three women sitting together at a table. We tried to make contact, but it seemed the door was closed.

As we walked past, Melina said, “Mom, I think that’s the lady we talked to last week!”

So we turned around and asked. Sure enough, it was Kayla, a woman my sister and another sister in Christ had already met and shared the gospel with. God used a seven-year-old to recognize someone He had already placed in our path!

We were able to reconnect with Kayla and meet Tina and Tammy. We shared food and drinks, shared the gospel, prayed with them, and gave Kayla a Bible. I had placed a gospel tract inside the Gospel of John and told her to start reading there, while encouraging her to read through the whole Bible. She received it with joy.

What an open door!

This reminded me that gospel faithfulness is not reserved for evangelists, pastors, or adults. It is for every believer—and it is never too early to model gospel faithfulness for the next generation.

So, what is holding you back?

First, honestly recognize before God where you have been hesitant or disobedient. Second, pray for open doors and boldness to speak, as Paul did (Colossians 4:2–4; Ephesians 6:18–20). Third, step out in faith and trust God with the results.

Nettie Neufeld serves as Gospel Partner Relations Lead with The Cross Current, where she is passionate about encouraging believers, strengthening churches, and helping God’s people grow in unity and maturity in Christ. She lives in Tillsonburg, Ontario, with her husband, Herman, and their son, James.