Those who have been part of the East Central Region for a while know our mission as a combined family of churches: “To partner with the Church in Ohio and West Virginia to represent the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every man, woman and child.”  I’ve often highlighted the amazing harvest field all around us: a combined 13.5 million persons in the two states, a majority of whom do not have a saving relationship with Jesus.  

Certainly, Jesus’ words apply to us: “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4.35). It is impossible to miss Jesus’ heart and intent—we are to be about the work of sowing the Good News of hope in Christ, and God has granted our region an incredibly rich geographic harvest opportunity.

At the same time, I understand the comment some have shared with me over the years—that the focus on “millions and millions” seems overwhelming.  I’ve been asked how a local church and a local group of leaders can engage with such an enormous task, given limited local church resources and context.  Some have honestly stated they find it hard to find a local entry point into this idea of “multiplication of disciples and churches across our region.” 

Remember that no matter how large the need, the key to Kingdom advance is summarized in a simple math statement: “1 + 1.”  Seeing Ohio and West Virginia impacted with the saving message of Christ involves each of us intentionally seeking to “reach the next one.”

Let me pose again one question I often ask: would it theoretically be better to be a church that sees 1000 persons a year saved, or a church that intentionally challenges one person to lead another person to saving faith in Christ each year, with the intent that each will do the same the following year?  

It’s easy to be drawn to the “1000 a year,” as it feels more productive.  After all, in five years, that church would see 5000 persons brought to Jesus, while the second church, beginning with one person and then each person reaching one more each year, would have seen just 32 persons saved.

However, following through on the math reveals a different perspective.  After 30 years, the first church would reach 30,000 persons.   In the same timeframe, the second church, with each one adding one more a year to the faith, sees over 1,000,000 persons reached.

Could every person in Ohio and West Virginia be reached with the Gospel?  Could we as the East Central Region make a real difference in that work?   Let’s use the math principle mentioned above, beginning with the 3500 persons presently attending MCECR churches on Sunday morning.  

If each one was blessed by God to reach one new person for Christ each year, and that new person was discipled to join the mission and also be used by God to reach one more each year, it would take twelve years to see that original 3500 multiply to 14 million persons—more than the present population of the two states.  That’s if just our MCECR extended family was involved!  

Simply put, with God’s gracious Spirit leading the way, the harvest in Ohio and West Virginia can be reached—the issue is whether each of us would seek God’s heart and commit ourselves to intentionally work to see one other person meet Jesus in this coming year.  The key is each of us asking God to identify the next one He wants us to engage, then pursuing His direction.