I often share that our God—the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—is made visible to others through our character and testimony. This inner growth and outward expression is often called living a missional life. As followers of Christ, saved by grace, we are sanctified through faith in Jesus, who died for us. His resurrection and promise of return give us hope to live heaven on earth. We can now try to live a life free from sin and pursue an intentional, purposeful existence. This purpose-driven life brings responsibility: to let others see and experience the invisible God, made visible through us. You and I are chosen and called by God to represent Christ and His character.

It is not our natural instinct to love people outside of our family and friends. We are born to be selfish. Every child is delivered with all fingers tightly closed and sometimes even grabs their own umbilical cord, their lifeline of nutrition/oxygen in their mother’s womb. Sharing with and loving others are learned traits. Christlike character and obeying His command to love one another are not instinctual. It is motivated by Christ, who died for our sins, who did not judge us for our sinful and selfish nature, but was willing to forgive with His sacrificial death so that we can live free from sin.

To grow Christ-like character, we must first commit to living a life free from sin. In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees bring before Jesus a woman “caught in the act of adultery," reminding Him that according to the law of Moses, she should be stoned. Jesus, however, challenges them to consider their own sinfulness, saying, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." One by one, they leave. Then Jesus turns to the woman and says, "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Living intentional, missional lives to become Christlike in our thoughts and actions requires both personal and communal practice. We cannot fully embody love and support for one another without being part of a local community, like ECC. In the ECC community, we have opportunities to actively practice our faith, hope, and love through sharing the Good News together. The ECC Ministry of Local Evangelism offers platforms and organized efforts to reach and serve the people in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and social circles—contributing to the greater good while bearing witness to Christ and His gift of salvation.

As our faith and commitment to Christ grow, I have witnessed and been encouraged by many members—young and old—who have taken time off from home and work to serve on missions, sometimes for several weeks. The ECC Missions Ministry, along with its dedicated committee members, provides training, support, and prayer for those called to serve even beyond a few weeks. Some members commit to serving for several months, and others devote themselves to long-term missions, reaching out to those who have not yet heard the Gospel. ECC, as a community of Christ followers, offers a place to grow in Christlikeness by engaging in missional living through the Local Evangelism and Missions Ministries.

May God’s grace be with you as you live out missional lives, both individually and as a community.