What the Bible Says About "Senders" and "Goers"

"Missions" is Not a New Concept

The call to send and support missionaries is not a modern idea—it is found throughout the story of Scripture. From Jonah, to Abraham, to Jesus, to Paul, God's people have been a dynamic force; taking His message wherever God commands.

Jesus’ Great Commission is the foundation of missionary purpose today:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:19–20).

Which nations are we to go to? ALL nations.

While some are called to physically go, the general command is given to the whole Church.

So, by deduction, although I may not be called to "Go" to Kabul, Afghanistan, I am not relieved of my disciple-making responsibility to the people of Kabul, Afghanistan.

Thus the dynamic we find in our churches where some are "senders" and some are "goers", but we are ALL (there's that word again) engaged in the mission of disciple making.

God's Design: Sharing the Load

In the New Testament, we see this co-working dynamic at work in Paul's missionary efforts. Paul was the most amazing "Goer" of all time. But he didn't do it alone.

In Philippians, Paul gives us multiple glimpses into what the "sender/goer" relationship looked like in his time:

³ Every time I think of you (the Philippian Church), I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)

“...you sent me aid more than once when I was in need” (Philippians 4:15–16)

And in Philippians 4:18:

¹⁸ At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)

The apostle John commended believers who supported traveling missionaries, saying:

⁵ Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. ⁶ They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. ⁷ For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. ⁸ So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. (3 John 1:3-5)

What an amazing design, by God, allowing all (Goers and Senders) to participate in His work!

He never gives us a command without giving us a way to fulfill that command!

Sending Out Goers

In Romans 10:14–15, Paul asks, “How can they preach unless they are sent?”

In Acts Chapter 13:2-6, in the Church at Antioch, we see how sending was accomplished in the early church:

² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off

⁴ The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. ⁵ When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. ⁶ They traveled through the whole island... 

The Church at Antioch were the Senders. Barnabas and Saul were the Goers.

The moral of this story: The mission advances when the whole Body functions together (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).

God's Glory

Supporting missions through prayers, encouragement, and giving is ultimately about God’s glory among ALL peoples.

Scripture promises a future where “every nation, tribe, people, and language” worships before the throne (Revelation 7:9). God has decided Senders and Goers will be his hands and feet in accomplishing this.

When we give, pray, send, and encourage missionaries, we participate in something eternal—helping people encounter Christ and become worshipers of the one true God.

Not everyone will board a plane or cross a border, but we are all called to join the cause. Until all have heard, the Church must keep sending, supporting, and proclaiming the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth.