Finishing the Great Commission and Intercultural Communication
Aaron T. Hamer
GLST650: Intercultural Communication (D01)
May 5, 2024
Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................1
The Lord’s Communication With Other Cultures................................................................2
The Role of the Holy Spirit’s Power........................................................................................3
Completing the Great Commission Per John 17....................................................................4
The Role of Intercultural Communication in Mission Work...............................................7
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................9
Bibliography..............................................................................................................................11
ii
Introduction
The Great Commission is a fundamental commandment given by Jesus to his disciples,
and by extension, to all believers, to go and make disciples of all nations. This mandate requires
the proclamation of the gospel message and effective communication of that message to people
of different cultures and backgrounds. To indeed obey the Great Commission, the church must be
intentional and strategic in its approach to intercultural communication.
All Christians must obey the Great Commission, and the power of the Holy Spirit is
central to our ability to communicate the gospel effectively to people of other cultures.1 The
Spirit empowers us to speak boldly and clearly, breaking down barriers of language,
misunderstanding, and prejudice. By relying on the Spirit, our communication of the gospel
becomes powerful and personal, tailored to the cultural nuances and context of the people we are
trying to reach.
Furthermore, our gospel communication should be prophetic, inspiring, and motivating.
This means we speak truth into the cultural, social, and spiritual realities of the people we
minister to. We can inspire and motivate by demonstrating how the gospel offers hope, healing,
and transformation. Addressing a particular culture's injustices, idolatries, and struggles can
ignite a fire of change and transformation, making our audience feel inspired and motivated.
Local churches and mission organizations play a vital and inclusive role in completing
the Great Commission as Jesus prayed in John 17. In some cultures, partnership is simply a
contract; in others, it is a built relationship.2 In either case, by working together in
________________________
1 Tim C. Chang with Ashley E, Chang, Christian Intercultural Communication (Dubuque,
IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2021), 15.
2 David Livermore, Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success, 2nd
ed. (New York, NY: AMACOM, 2015), 147.
1
unity and partnership, they can leverage their resources, expertise, and networks to reach every
nation and people group with the message of Jesus. This underscores the importance of each
individual and organization, making them feel valued and integral to the mission. Through
collaboration and cooperation, we can fulfill Jesus' vision for his followers to be witnesses to the
ends of the earth.
The Lord’s Communication with Other Cultures
God communicates with people of all cultures in various ways. The Bible teaches that
God has revealed Himself through creation (Psalm 19:1-4), through His word (2 Timothy 3:16-
17), and the person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3). God speaks to individuals through the Holy
Spirit, guiding, convicting, and comforting them (John 14:26, John 16:13).
In intercultural communication, God can communicate with people from different
backgrounds through dreams, visions, and supernatural encounters. Through awareness and
knowledge, Christians can further engage what the Lord has begun.3 The Bible shows examples
of God speaking to individuals in a language or medium specific to their culture and context. For
example, in the book of Acts, we see how Peter had a vision that challenged his understanding of
who could be included in the kingdom of God (Acts 10:9-16). This vision paved the way for the
gospel to reach the Gentiles powerfully.
Additionally, God often uses the community of believers as a communication channel
with people of other cultures. When people from different backgrounds come together in unity
and love, they tangibly manifest God's presence and communicate His message of reconciliation
and salvation through their actions, attitudes, and words. Awareness of cultural sensitivities
________________________
3 Stella Ting-Toomey and Leeva C. Chung. Understanding Intercultural Communication.
2nd ed. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2012), 7.
2
allows communication across borders and accomplishing the objectives Great.4
Ultimately, God is not limited in how He communicates with people of different cultures.
He is creative, loving, and purposeful in His communication, desiring that all people come to
know Him and experience His grace and salvation. As believers, the Lord calls us to sensitively
follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and remain open to how God may choose to communicate
His truth and love to people of all cultures.
The Role of the Holy Spirit’s Power
The Lord uses the power of the Holy Spirit through believers to reach other cultures in
various ways.5 One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to empower believers to be
witnesses of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth, which includes reaching people of different
cultures (Acts 1:8). Here are some key ways in which the Holy Spirit works to reach other
cultures:
Language and Communication: The Holy Spirit enables believers to communicate the
gospel message in understandable and relevant ways to people of different cultures. This
may include the ability to speak in various languages (Acts 2:4) or to convey the message
of salvation through cultural references and contexts that resonate with the hearts of those
who hear it.
Cultural Sensitivity: The Holy Spirit helps believers to be sensitive to the cultural norms,
beliefs, and practices of the people they are trying to reach. By guiding and empowering
them, the Spirit enables believers to navigate cultural barriers and build bridges of
understanding and respect with those from different backgrounds.
________________________
4 Livermore, Leading with Cultural Intelligence, 26.
5 Chang with Change, Christian Intercultural Communication, 17.
3
Boldness and Courage: Believers receive boldness and courage from the Holy Spirit to
share the gospel with others, even amid opposition or persecution (Acts 4:31). This
empowerment is essential for reaching other cultures with the message of salvation, as it
requires stepping out of personal comfort zones and engaging with unfamiliar territories.
Unity and Love: The Holy Spirit fosters unity and love among believers from diverse
cultural backgrounds, creating a powerful witness to the gospel's transformative power.
When believers demonstrate love and unity across cultural divides, it reflects the
character of God and draws others to Him.
Revelation and Understanding: The Holy Spirit grants believers insights and revelations
into the spiritual and cultural realities of the people they are trying to reach. By providing
wisdom and discernment, the Spirit equips believers to discern the needs and conditions
of other cultures and tailor their message accordingly.
In summary, the power of the Holy Spirit is essential for reaching other cultures with the
gospel message. By empowering believers to communicate effectively, navigate cultural
differences, exhibit boldness and courage, foster unity and love, and provide insights and
understanding, the Spirit enables the church to fulfill the Great Commission and make disciples
of all nations.
Completing the Great Commission per John 17
John 17 does not explicitly mention the term "Great Commission," but it contains a
potent prayer by Jesus for His disciples and all believers. In this prayer, Jesus expresses His
desire for unity among His followers and their mission. While verses such as Matthew 28:19-20
most explicitly state the Great Commission, the themes in John 17 resonate with the overarching
purpose of the Great Commission.
4
In John 17:18, Jesus prays, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the
world." This verse reflects the sending out of believers on a mission, mirroring the commission
to go and make disciples of all nations, as stated in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus instructs the
disciples to continue the work He began, spreading the message of salvation and bringing people
into a relationship with God. It is important to remember that the Lord is the only one who leads
people to salvation through the Holy Spirit. Christians are “vessels for honorable use” in this
mission.6
Furthermore, in John 17:20-21, Jesus prays for the unity of believers, saying, "I also pray
for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one...so that the
world may believe that you have sent me." This emphasis on unity among believers is crucial for
the fulfillment of the Great Commission, as it is through this unity that the world will see the
credibility and authenticity of the message of Jesus. Jesus' prayer in John 17 emphasizes the
importance of believers united in purpose and mission, just as He and the Father are one. This
unity is not only for the sake of believers themselves but also for the sake of those who do not
believe. Speaking the holy words of the Lord to testify to non-believers, we allow the Holy Spirit
to work through us and into their hearts.7 By working together in harmony and love, believers
can effectively fulfill the mission of making disciples and demonstrating the gospel's
transformative power to the world.
While John 17 does not explicitly mention the Great Commission, its themes of mission,
unity, and sending out believers are closely aligned with the principles underlying the
commission to go and make disciples of all nations. It underscores the significance of working
________________________
6 Chang with Change, Christian Intercultural Communication, 17.
7 Ibid., 54.
5
together as a unified body of believers to advance the kingdom of God and spread the good news
of Jesus Christ to all.8
By fostering partnerships and collaboration, providing mutual support and
encouragement, engaging in strategic planning and coordination, offering training and equipping,
ensuring evaluation and accountability, and prioritizing prayer and spiritual unity, local churches
and mission organizations can work together effectively to complete the Great Commission as
Jesus prayed in John 17. Through their united efforts, they can be instrumental in reaching
nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.9
Collaborative Partnerships: Local churches and mission organizations can collaborate to
combine their resources, expertise, and networks for more effective outreach. By pooling
their strengths, they can reach more people, plant more churches, and disciple more
believers, ultimately advancing the Kingdom of God.
Strategic Planning and Coordination: Local churches and mission organizations can align
their visions and goals to achieve a joint mission by developing strategic plans and
coordinating their efforts. This may involve joint mission trips, shared initiatives, and
coordinated outreach events that maximize impact and efficiency.
Training and Equipping: Local churches can provide training and equipping opportunities
for church members to engage in mission work, while mission organizations can offer
________________________
8 Jonas Clark, “Role of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecostal Church (1900-1948),” May 2,
2024, https://jonasclark.com/revolutionary-review/pentecostal-revival-history/role-of-the-holy-
spirit-in-the-pentecostal-church-1900-1948.
9 Davinia Young, “The enCourage Women's Podcast: Spreading the Gospel to the Ends of
the Earth,” May 4, 2024, 34:35, https://pcacdm.libsyn.com/spreading-the-gospel-to-the-ends-of-
the-earth.
6
specialized training in cross-cultural communication, evangelism, and discipleship. By
investing in the development of their members, both entities can empower individuals to
be effective ambassadors for Christ in different cultural contexts.
Prayer and Spiritual Support: Prayer is a powerful tool in fulfilling the Great
Commission, and local churches and mission organizations can come together in prayer
for the nations and people groups that have yet to hear the gospel. By lifting up these
needs before God, believers can intercede for open doors, receptive hearts, and divine
guidance in their outreach efforts.
Mutual Accountability and Evaluation: Local churches and mission organizations can
hold each other accountable in their mission endeavors by establishing regular
communication, feedback mechanisms, and evaluation processes. By sharing progress,
challenges, and successes, they can encourage one another, learn from each other's
experiences, and adjust as needed to stay aligned with their mission objectives.
By working together in collaborative partnerships, strategic planning, training and
equipping, prayer and spiritual support, and mutual accountability and evaluation, local churches
and mission organizations can join forces to complete the Great Commission as Jesus prayed in
John 17. Together, they can be a powerful force for "spreading the gospel to the ends of the
earth" and making disciples of all nations.10
The Role of Intercultural Communication in Mission Work
One cross-cultural issue that Christian intercultural communication's role and the Great
Commission's perspective can analyze is the challenge of contextualization in mission work in
________________________
10 Young, “The enCourage Women's Podcast.
7
foreign contexts. Contextualization involves adapting the message and methods of sharing the
gospel to the cultural, social, and religious norms of the people in focus while maintaining the
core message of salvation through Jesus Christ.11 In many overseas contexts, missionaries and
churches face the challenge of effectively contextualizing the gospel message in a way that
resonates with the local culture and worldview. Failure to communicate the message in a
culturally relevant manner can lead to misunderstandings, resistance, or rejection of the gospel.
On the other hand, compromising the core message of the gospel in an attempt to align with
cultural practices can dilute the gospel's truth and hinder the message's transformative power.
From the perspective of the Great Commission, the imperative to make disciples of all
nations requires careful consideration of how to communicate the message of salvation in a way
that is both faithful to Jesus' teachings and meaningful to the cultural context. Christian leaders
must encourage and empower their teams to own this mission.12 This involves understanding the
local people's beliefs, values, and practices and finding points of connection and resonance
between their culture and the gospel's message.
The role of Christian intercultural communication is essential in addressing this cross-
cultural issue. Effective intercultural communication requires sensitivity, humility, and
adaptability in engaging with people from different cultural backgrounds. It involves listening,
learning, and building relationships with the local community to bridge cultural gaps and
communicate the gospel in a relevant and impactful way. By applying the principles of Christian
clear and consistent intercultural communication, missionaries and churches can navigate the
clear and consistent intercultural communication, missionaries and churches can navigate the
________________________
11 Chang with Change, Christian Intercultural Communication, 110.
12 Livermore, Leading with Cultural Intelligence, 218.
8
clear and consistent intercultural communication, missionaries and churches can navigate the
challenges of contextualization in overseas contexts.13 This includes seeking the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, learning the language and customs of the people, building trust and rapport with the
local community, and integrating biblical truths in a way that speaks to the heart and needs of the
people to be reached.
In summary, the cross-cultural issue of contextualization in overseas mission work
highlights the importance of Christian intercultural communication in fulfilling the Great
Commission. Although this can be a significantly “anxiety-producing process," approaching this
challenge with humility, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to communicating the
unchanging message of salvation in culturally relevant ways, missionaries and churches can
effectively engage with people from different cultures and make disciples of all nations.14
Conclusion
The Great Commission's mandate to make disciples of all nations is a significant call to
action for believers, requiring intentional and strategic efforts in intercultural communication. As
we seek to communicate the gospel effectively to people of diverse backgrounds, reliance on the
power of the Holy Spirit is crucial. The Spirit enables us to break down barriers and
communicate the message in powerful and personal ways, addressing cultural nuances and
contextual realities.
Understanding that the communication of the gospel should be prophetic, speaking truth
into the cultural, social, and spiritual contexts of those we minister to is essential. By engaging
with the injustices, idolatries, and struggles of different cultures, we demonstrate how the gospel
________________________
13 Livermore, Leading with Cultural Intelligence, 80.
14 Chang with Change, Christian Intercultural Communication, 112.
9
offers hope, healing, and transformation in a relevant manner. Collaboration between local
churches and mission organizations is pivotal in fulfilling the Great Commission, as unity and
partnership amplify their efforts to reach all nations with the message of Jesus. Through
collaborative partnerships, strategic planning, training and equipping, prayer and spiritual
support, and mutual accountability, believers can work together to witness the ends of the earth
as Jesus prayed in John 17.
Intercultural communication is a crucial aspect of mission work, with the challenge of
contextualization emphasizing the importance of effectively bridging cultural divides to convey
the gospel message authentically and impactfully. Through a commitment to Christian
intercultural communication, believers can navigate cultural differences, build relationships, and
make disciples of all nations in obedience to the Great Commission.
Ultimately, the Holy Spirit's power in reaching other cultures, as demonstrated through
language and communication, cultural sensitivity, boldness and courage, unity and love, and
revelation and understanding, is vital for fulfilling the call to share the gospel with all people. As
believers strive to communicate the message of salvation effectively across cultures, may they be
guided by the Spirit, empowered by unity, and led by God's creative and purposeful
communication to bring hope and transformation to every corner of the world.
10
Bibliography
Chang, Tim C. with Ashley E. Chang, Christian Intercultural Communication. Dubuque, IA:
Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2021.
Clark, Jonas. “Role of the Holy Spirit in the Pentecostal Church (1900-1948),” May 2, 2024,
https://jonasclark.com/revolutionary-review/pentecostal-revival-history/role-of-the-holy-
spirit-in-the-pentecostal-church-1900-1948
Livermore, David. Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success. 2nd ed. New
York, NY: AMACOM, 2015.
Ting Toomey, S., and Leeva C. Chung. Understanding Intercultural Communication. Liberty
University Online Bookshelf, (2nd Edition). Oxford University Press Academic US,
2012.
Younng, Davinia Young. “The enCourage Women's Podcast: Spreading the Gospel to the Ends
of the Earth,” May 4, 2024, 34:35, https://pcacdm.libsyn.com/spreading-the-gospel-to-the
ends-of-the-earth.
11
