11 Sep 2025, 09:51Careen LawrenceWimbledon, Merton, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Every Member a Missionary: SEC Personal Ministries Director Challenges Wimbledon SDA to Serve
God expects personal service from everyone to whom He has entrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time.” (Welfare Ministry, p.16)
The most evangelistic force in the church is not the Pastor. Instead, it is the members. Each individual, especially those at Wimbledon International SDA, should be involved in ministry. These were the opening words from Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo on Sabbath 6th September at Wimbledon International SDA while he shared his message Every Member a Missionary.
Pastor Kwadwo shared that Adventist theology tells us that “the laity are not an audience, but the frontline army of Christ.” Additionally, the congregants were reminded that Total Membership Involvement is therefore not a slogan, but these are the things we are to do, not only in the church, but within our community also.
It was shared that through understanding that the church is the body of Christ, we will be able to understand that we are all important. Through the use of 1 Corinthians 12:12–30, congregants were reminded that as individuals, we all have different talents and this is the reason that none of us are unimportant. From Christian Service, p.68, it says, “It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soul saving depends alone on the ordained minister.”
There were biblical examples shared where being a missionary shone through in the day-to-day lives of individuals. These examples were Paul being a tentmaker, Lydia being a businesswoman, and Daniel being a government official. These examples show that our call does not stop when we are at work, or at school. Pastor Kwadwo shared that “evangelism must move beyond the pulpit and crusades” and move into the spaces we spend most of our time, physically and virtually. While doing this, we must be willing to be used and go to God humbly, asking that He uses us as we are.
The question was posed: what does it mean to be a missionary? And the agreed answer within the sanctuary was “to work for God.” Missionary work, as explained by Pastor Kwadwo, embodies Christ, flowing from a relationship with Him, and not from performance. Building a good rapport with God will show outwardly to others, causing our lives to become the sermon for others. In relation to our lives being a sermon for others, Pastor Kwadwo reported four things said by Mark Finley on Personal Witnessing:
1 – telling your story to others about what Christ has done in your life
2 – living a reflective life
3 – listening to others
4 – being ready to point an individual to Christ at any moment
With knowledge of personal witnessing and what it means to be a missionary, it is key to note that the local church can be—and should be—used as a training hub for mission. In training, the church Pastor and Elders can lead the training sessions. By doing this, we can develop visitation teams, prayer teams, hospitality and literature teams, all while working together in our departments. For the church to effectively move in this direction, it needs to move away from being the host of a maintenance mindset.
In closing, Pastor informed everyone that the church needs to be seen within the community, engaging with them and inviting them to join us. We must be able to build relationships with those in the community so they will be drawn to God. Practical strategies for this include cultural bridges, professional platforms, intergenerational ministries, and neighbourhood mapping. Pastor Kwadwo reminded the church that “any person who comes through the door is a potential member.” Additionally, this is something good to be kept in mind, as well as how best to keep members who come through the church doors. Pastor then ended with a final reminder to the church:
The mission of the church does not belong to a few, it belongs to all. Every member is not just a receiver of grace, but a channel of the Gospel.
God expects personal service from everyone to whom He has entrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time.” (Welfare Ministry, p.16)
The most evangelistic force in the church is not the Pastor. Instead, it is the members. Each individual, especially those at Wimbledon International SDA, should be involved in ministry. These were the opening words from Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo on Sabbath 6th September at Wimbledon International SDA while he shared his message Every Member a Missionary.
Pastor Kwadwo shared that Adventist theology tells us that “the laity are not an audience, but the frontline army of Christ.” Additionally, the congregants were reminded that Total Membership Involvement is therefore not a slogan, but these are the things we are to do, not only in the church, but within our community also.
It was shared that through understanding that the church is the body of Christ, we will be able to understand that we are all important. Through the use of 1 Corinthians 12:12–30, congregants were reminded that as individuals, we all have different talents and this is the reason that none of us are unimportant. From Christian Service, p.68, it says, “It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soul saving depends alone on the ordained minister.”
There were biblical examples shared where being a missionary shone through in the day-to-day lives of individuals. These examples were Paul being a tentmaker, Lydia being a businesswoman, and Daniel being a government official. These examples show that our call does not stop when we are at work, or at school. Pastor Kwadwo shared that “evangelism must move beyond the pulpit and crusades” and move into the spaces we spend most of our time, physically and virtually. While doing this, we must be willing to be used and go to God humbly, asking that He uses us as we are.
The question was posed: what does it mean to be a missionary? And the agreed answer within the sanctuary was “to work for God.” Missionary work, as explained by Pastor Kwadwo, embodies Christ, flowing from a relationship with Him, and not from performance. Building a good rapport with God will show outwardly to others, causing our lives to become the sermon for others. In relation to our lives being a sermon for others, Pastor Kwadwo reported four things said by Mark Finley on Personal Witnessing:
1 – telling your story to others about what Christ has done in your life
2 – living a reflective life
3 – listening to others
4 – being ready to point an individual to Christ at any moment
With knowledge of personal witnessing and what it means to be a missionary, it is key to note that the local church can be—and should be—used as a training hub for mission. In training, the church Pastor and Elders can lead the training sessions. By doing this, we can develop visitation teams, prayer teams, hospitality and literature teams, all while working together in our departments. For the church to effectively move in this direction, it needs to move away from being the host of a maintenance mindset.
In closing, Pastor informed everyone that the church needs to be seen within the community, engaging with them and inviting them to join us. We must be able to build relationships with those in the community so they will be drawn to God. Practical strategies for this include cultural bridges, professional platforms, intergenerational ministries, and neighbourhood mapping. Pastor Kwadwo reminded the church that “any person who comes through the door is a potential member.” Additionally, this is something good to be kept in mind, as well as how best to keep members who come through the church doors. Pastor then ended with a final reminder to the church:
The mission of the church does not belong to a few, it belongs to all. Every member is not just a receiver of grace, but a channel of the Gospel.
