Missiologists are amazed at the rapid advance of the Gospel in places where the message of Christ has never penetrated or is proliferating where it was only scarcely known. Clearly, the wind of the Holy Spirit is sweeping our globe in an unprecedented manner. Never before in the history of the church have there been so many positive dynamics in place making it possible for us to realize the fulfillment of the Great Commission. In times like these, buzzwords or phrases are either born or popularized which clearly communicate key thoughts, ideas or issues related to the times. One of these current words is mobilization.
Mobilization can mean different things in different contexts.
This article is intended to be an introductory article in a series related to mobilization. Our intent is to address the issue of mobilization specifically as it relates to the local church. Dr. Ralph Winter has clearly sounded the clarion call for mobilizers. I could not agree more, yet the term mobilization can be confusing. I have focused my personal ministry as an evangelist, pastor, and mission agency leader for many years in this area of local church mobilization.