How should we prepare for the upcoming PCA Global Missions Conference in Atlanta, November 1–3? Missions conferences are opportunities for God’s people to rally together, worship, and commit to furthering God’s mission. Perhaps we are already thinking about what we could do for missions. But before we jump into what we can do for missions, we might reflect on what God has done for us.

Think about the Old Testament saints. On Mount Sinai, God’s people received the law of God and promised, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8; cf. 24:3). Toward the end of Joshua’s life, he gathered the people of God and challenged them to “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). The people responded, “We will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:21; cf 24:24). But of course, the people could not keep their covenant promises. And so God had to come and establish a new covenant, a new people of God, a new kingdom that would last forever.

Did the disciples know the significance of what was happening as Jesus gave His sermon on the mountain? “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven …” (Matthew 5:3). They were there to listen to their rabbi. He was there as the One greater than Moses, teaching the ethics of the kingdom of God. And toward the end of His life, Jesus, the One greater than Joshua, would defeat our enemies of sin and death on the cross and open a way for us to enter the heavenly promised land. What we could not do, Jesus has done for us.

How do we prepare for the upcoming Global Missions Conference? We first reflect on what Jesus has accomplished for us. We then ask to be filled with His Spirit. Finally, we come expectantly listening to His Word preached and applied to us. Can you imagine a gathering of thousands of people, hearts full of gratitude for the gospel, filled with His Spirit, awaiting God’s call for their lives?

Even if you are not attending the conference, may this be your preparation at every Sunday worship service. May every Sunday be a missions Sunday. If there is anything that should unite us as a denomination, it should be the good news of Jesus Christ and its propagation to the ends of the earth. Please pray with us to this end.