Did you know Cairn has an entire week devoted to missions? If not, now you do, and it’s called Global Mission Week (GMW). And it’s THIS WEEK.

To paraphrase Cairn’s mission statement for students, we are training to become men and women of godly character so we can serve Christ in whatever position we are called to. Global Mission Week is part of achieving that goal because we cannot serve the world if we don’t know who the people are and where to find them.

This year GMW centers around the flood of immigrants, refugees, and internationals entering America. The abundance of internationals here in Philadelphia can reshape how we prepare for missions. It is no longer necessary to fly a few thousand miles to experience new peoples and cultures. Instead, they’ve arrived on our doorstep. Philadelphia, being a prominent East Coast city, is home to a growing community of people who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We can literally access people from across the world by traveling only a little.

I know, it’s difficult to spare even an hour in the midst of a busy semester. There’s always another speech to prepare. A paper to write. A nap to take. Netflix to watch. But if we desire to show the world that we LOVE CHRIST, we need to set aside the time to LOVE THE WORLD. This week, that means taking time to know how we can love them.

As we prepare to experience a week focused on knowing and serving the world, let the words of John 13:34-35 echo in our minds: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” We’re becoming disciples of Christ right now. So loving others also starts right now.

Global Missions Week runs January 29 – February 2. Keynote speakers include local pastors and community ministry leaders who are already serving as the hands and feet of Christ in Philadelphia. But I won’t detail them, because they’re all right here:

Global Mission Week

There’s a handy-dandy schedule also available in the above link. Now you can’t say you didn’t know, because I’ve told you so. Disciples of Christ, take the time to go this week and discover ways to love the world that’s on our doorstep. Shift your schedule around and JUST GO.