Genesis 1:26
“Let us create mankind in our image”

“Fill the earth”

For eternity past God had experienced a perfect, intimate, and loving relationship among the Trinity. He had an extravegant plan to share that joy with a new creation: mankind. He made a man and a woman in His own likeness, with His very characteristics and commanded them to fill the earth.

In the beginning God had a mission:
Fill the earth with image-bearers who could experience the deep satisfaction and joy of living in unhindered intimacy with their creator and with each other. 

Instead, that man and woman chose to live for their own mission and rebelled against their Creator. All of human history would be framed in that rebellion. God’s image on the earth was shattered.

“Among all ethnos”

But God did not abandon His creation. In response to their rebellion, the Creator Himself took on flesh, and made a way for His image to be restored on the earth. He then commanded His restored image-bearers to go into all the world.

The mission He gave them was unchanged:
Make disciples and restore His image-bearers once again among all ethnic peoples.

“A new creation … filled”

His mission WILL be finally & fully accomplished:
A perfect earth filled with His image-bearers from every people, tribe, tongue, and nation. Men, women, and children experiencing the deep love and joy of perfect intimacy with their Creator and with each other. 

But that’s not the entire painting. While we, His perfected image-bearers, will be lost in the glory of our Creator & Savior, there will be countless numbers of people lost in the torment of a Godless existence. God is going to survey all of mankind and welcome in His family. All others will live an eternity apart from Him.

We have a behind the scenes look at how this all ends. We’re in the final act right now. As God’s image-bearers, we’ve been given a critical role to play. We are the representation of our God & Savior here on this earth.
Our mission is to restore image-bearers among all people, and our choice to rebel or engage will determine the eternal destiny of many. 

“It’s worth it”

We’re convinced that this mission is worth giving our lives to. It’s an overwhelming task; it’s far bigger than us, but our Savior has been given all authority and has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us.

There are people destined for hell because they were born in the wrong part of the world where God’s word has not yet been taken. We have a command, a mission, and an opportunity to see image-bearers restored in those parts of the world among people who have not yet had the chance to hear.

Imagine the moment when we’re all standing around the throne of our God worshipping Him because He is so worthy.
Imagine looking around and seeing all the people who are there because we were willing to obey and sacrifice for God’s mission!
Imagine looking around, seeing no one there because of you, and realizing that your whole life had been wasted on your own tiny mission.

“This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, because we trust in the
LIVING GOD,
who is the savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”