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Every follower of Jesus has been given a job description, and it is simpler than most people realize. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples they would receive power from the Holy Spirit and would be His witnesses, starting in Jerusalem and reaching to the ends of the earth. A witness is not asked to be a lawyer or a theologian. A witness is simply asked to tell what they personally experienced. That firsthand account cannot be argued away, because it belongs to the person who lived it. The same calling that was given to those first disciples belongs to every believer today.

The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20, gives this calling three essential dimensions. First, Jesus establishes His authority over all of heaven and earth before sending anyone anywhere. Believers go not on their own strength but under the full jurisdiction of heaven. Second, the assignment is to make disciples, not just church attenders. The goal is to reproduce the character and life of Jesus in others. Third, every believer goes with the assurance of His constant presence. Jesus promised to be with His people always, and the Holy Spirit has fulfilled that promise ever since.

Despite this clear calling, research from the Barna Group found that 51 percent of churchgoers have never even heard the term Great Commission. Fear of rejection, feelings of inadequacy, and waiting for the perfect moment are among the most common reasons believers stay silent. But the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4 shows what a simple, unpolished testimony can accomplish. She had a complicated past and no formal training, yet one honest encounter with Jesus brought an entire city to Him. Your story works the same way. Someone in your circle right now is waiting for you to open your mouth.

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