Have you done “23 and Me”? Personalized DNA testing offers you the opportunity to find out your ancestral roots. I took one of those tests many years ago, but my family was pretty sure they just took my money. What does our DNA say about us? What if a church also has DNA?
In my observation, churches born out of a fight will often fight. On the other hand, churches like Antioch, born out of a deep sense of mission, will continue that commitment to reach out to others. Remember that nameless missionaries shared the gospel with the Gentiles in Antioch leading some to believe. Barnabas and Saul taught them.
The church in Antioch may very well be my most favorite in the New Testament. Notice their diversity: Barnabas was from Cyprus. Simeon and Lucius were both from Northern Africa. Manaen apparently was a childhood friend of Herod. Then there was Saul, the Rabbi who had persecuted the Christians. Listening to God, these church leaders pray and fast and send out Saul and Barnabas on the first intentional missionary journey. No surprise: they had missions in their DNA. So do we!
Years ago a church growth guru said people will only meet with people just like themselves. The church at Antioch proves the opposite. When our God who has a heart for the nations forms his heart in us, we will also have a heart for the nations.
