Living A Sent Life: Seeing and Meeting the Needs Around Us

“. . .As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21 NLT).

In this issue of Message of the Open Bible you will discover some wonderful stories of how God is using everyday people to touch and transform lives and communities. You’ll read how people are opening their eyes and hearts to show and share the love of Jesus by “living sent.” 

In my early years of ministry, I heard a phrase from well-known pastor Tommy Barnett that I have never forgotten. He defined ministry simply yet profoundly: “Ministry is seeing a need and meeting it.”  

While this may be a simplistic approach, it has stuck with me, perhaps because it encapsulates much of what we see Jesus doing in His ministry. The scriptures tell us that “Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38), and how He came “not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). 

Barnett’s quote also helps us see ministry as more relatable, practical, and attainable for every follower of Christ. It takes away the perception that ministry is something done only by pastors, or “super Christians,” or a few of the chosen. It expresses a biblical understanding of what every person can do to share the love of Christ with others. 

Finally, the quote brings ministry outside the walls of the church. Ministry is not confined to a designated place or a specific group of people; it happens both inside and outside of the church. 

This idea of ministry is consistent with our vision for Open Bible: “We see life-giving, disciple-making, Spirit-empowered churches [and people] . . . who possess a missional mindset, multiplying priority, and a mobilizing commitment.” It embraces the same principle of “living sent” that we want to embody in our movement. 

At the heart of our vision statement is a core value of being missional – reaching out to those who are disconnected from Christ, multiplying disciples who are growing, and building other disciples to be mobilized to serve and use their gifts both inside and outside the church walls.  

I love the local church and have served and led through it for over thirty years. I agree it is the hope of the world. But our goal is not just to go to church but to be the church (as the saying goes). Our goal is to live our lives on mission for the Kingdom. 

We tried to prioritize this at Life Church in Concord, California, where my wife Julie and I pastored for many years. We taught our church family to be missionaries in our communities and in the spaces where they had influence.  

One of our favorite annual outreaches was called “Summerfest.” This day camp provided a free, full-day and week-long experience for local kids. In an area where dual-income families are working to make ends meet, we provided a place where kids would have a blast, be cared for by dozens of volunteers, and experience God’s love. This simple camp blessed hundreds of families each year. That act of service opened hearts to the Good News. 

Outreach is not only about meeting physical and emotional needs but also addressing spiritual ones. It is about building relationships, creating trust, and opening avenues for people to experience the transformative power of God’s love. When we serve others, we reflect the heart of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. 

For me as we planted our church, this looked like making a few very practical investments in our community. My daughters played soccer, so I volunteered to coach (I was the only dad to volunteer, so I got the job). Through that opportunity, I connected with families in our community. One of the soccer dads then asked if I would be interested in playing on his men’s city league softball team. By saying “yes” to his invitation, I was able to connect with even more people in our community, and long story short, that father surrendered his heart to Jesus and was one of the first people to be baptized at our church.  

Serving people doesn’t always require a large-scale event or program. Sometimes, it is a simple conversation, a kind gesture, or a heartfelt prayer. As followers of Christ, we have the privilege of being His hands and feet in our own unique spheres of influence. When we shift our focus from waiting for the next church-led outreach to personally engaging with those around us, we unlock the potential for exponential, “multiplied” kingdom growth. One friend at a time, we can share the hope of Christ and watch as lives are transformed for His glory. 

Remember these words of Jesus: “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant” (Matt 20:26 MSG). Let us be intentional in our outreach, committed to serving, and faithful in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. 

About the Author

Michael Nortune

Michael Nortune serves as president of Open Bible Churches. He has ministered in the local church faithfully for 35 years. From his start as a janitor and groundskeeper to lead pastor of Life Church in Concord, California, Michael has had the opportunity to gain experience in every capacity within the church throughout his ministry. Not only does he have hands-on experience on the local level, but Michael has also led at the district, regional, and national levels within Open Bible Churches. Michael and his wife Julie currently reside in Colorado and love living near five of their six children and their spouses. They also treasure the time they spend with their other daughter who lives in Alabama with their first (but not the last) grandson!