Reaching the Global Mission Field in America

Before European settlers arrived, the Lenape people spoke their languages in what is now the New York City area. In 1624, the Dutch West India Company established New Amsterdam, and by the 1670s, the British took control, holding the city until the American Revolution.

Years later, my wife and I found ourselves working with a missionary in Queens, New York, going door to door to share the gospel. Walking street after street, block after block, it felt like we were in a foreign mission field. Many did not speak English. Yet, there was joy in praying with two young men who came to trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

New York is the world in one place. With over 3 million immigrants from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America packed into a small area, the diversity is stunning. Almost 40% of New York City’s more than 8 million residents were born outside the United States. Nearly half of all New Yorkers speak a language other than English. This mosaic of languages and cultures forms vibrant neighborhoods linked within minutes of travel—truly the most linguistically and religiously diverse place on Earth.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence—since the Revolution and the Declaration—we recognize how deeply this diversity reflects the global mission field. The different worldviews converging in New York have also made their way into my hometown and yours. In a Walmart in Dallas, Texas, my wife and I were the only ones speaking English, a reminder that the eternal realities behind these everyday interactions are impossible to ignore.

From the Pilgrims to the American Revolution, the United States was envisioned as a "city on a hill," a light shining into a world shadowed by sin. Moments like the shot heard around the world, the Boston Tea Party, or a simple handout of a gospel tract ripple outward with eternal impact.

We are in the midst of a revolution—one that is spiritual and global. The mission field is at our doorstep.

Be sure to follow along with the mission of The Voice in the Wilderness as we continue more than 70 years of faithful service, Contending for Fundamental Christianity and American Freedom. Together, we can shine the light of truth in every corner of this ever-changing world.