In Romans 15:20-33, Paul shares what can only be described as his “big dream” for ministry. His heart’s desire? To see the gospel spread to unreached people, wherever Christ’s name is still unknown. Many of us are familiar with the encouragement to “dream big,” whether it’s from a mentor urging us to reach our career goals, a parent believing in our potential, or a friend pushing us toward financial freedom. Humanity has always been driven by big dreams, from building empires to creating societies of equality. But for Paul, the dream was simple yet grand: he wanted to see the world transformed through the gospel of Jesus, especially among those who had not yet heard it.
This mission was not limited to an era or a specific church; it is a dream that extends to us as believers today. Paul’s letter challenges us to look beyond the ordinary and dare to dream for the kingdom of God, sharing the gospel with the world around us. He also reminds us that this kind of dream can only become a reality through fervent prayer and reliance on God’s power. As we dive into this passage, we will unpack Paul’s vision for reaching the unreached, balancing our dreams with God’s plan, and the importance of supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ along the way.
1. Dream Big… That the Unreached Would Be Reached for Christ
Paul challenges us to dream big and envision the gospel reaching those who have never heard it. In Romans 15:20-29, he shares his life’s ambition — what he calls his “righteous ambition” — to bring the message of Christ to unreached places where people do not yet know the name of Jesus. Paul felt a burning call to pioneer in areas devoid of gospel presence, to be the first to shine Christ’s light in spiritually dark places. It is an inspiring reminder that our mission as believers includes those far-off places that have yet to hear of Jesus.
Missions work like Paul’s is the very essence of being “sent” — what it truly means to be a missionary. The word “mission” comes from the Latin word missio, meaning “to be sent.” Paul understood himself as one sent by God to preach the gospel beyond familiar regions and reach those who had not yet heard. And his passion is as relevant now as it was then. Today, there remain vast regions and countless people groups who do not know Jesus. Although progress has been made, Paul’s mission is far from complete.
According to resources like the International Mission Board and the Joshua Project, out of roughly 17,400 people groups in the world, nearly 7,000 are considered unreached, where less than 2% of the population identifies as Christian. That represents around 3.6 billion people or 46% of our global population. Even more startling are the unengaged groups—those without a missionary presence or a strategy to reach them. These groups often live within the “10/40 Window,” a region stretching across Northern Africa and Asia where billions live without hearing the gospel.
Paul’s dream to reach Spain was, in his day, the frontier of the known world. Today, our “Spain” is this 10/40 Window, a place that might resist the gospel yet desperately needs it. If Paul were here, he would likely point us toward these unreached areas, challenging us to go and make Christ known. For some of us, this call to foreign missions might not be what we expected or even feel ready for, but we cannot ignore the need. In a world still filled with unreached and unengaged people, we need believers who are willing to answer the call to go, to take up Paul’s passion, and to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Perhaps God has placed a calling on your heart for missions, either locally or globally. If you are feeling a stirring, explore it. Research the need and pray about how God might be calling you to respond. Maybe God has placed you in your school, workplace, or community for this very purpose — to be a light for Christ where you are now. Whether the call is local or global, the question is not if God is calling, but where He is calling you to be His witness.
When Dreaming Big, Balance Your Plans in Light of God’s Providence
At Coggin Avenue, we have long held a vision for both the unreached in our own community and those across the world. As we continue dreaming big, praying for God to give us hearts burdened for the lost, we recognize the need to hold these dreams in balance with God’s providential plans. If we are serious about reaching those who have not heard the gospel, there will inevitably be points of friction along the way.
Paul himself encountered this. In Romans 15, he expresses his deep desire to visit the believers in Rome — a desire he held for years. Yet he faced a continual “rub” between his personal passion and God’s greater plans. Despite his longing to visit, he knew his priority was taking the gospel to unreached Gentiles across Asia Minor, and now his focus was shifting toward Spain. In God’s providential plan, Paul was not able to reach Rome as he’d hoped. Still, he prioritized obedience over his own desires and trusted that God’s timing and ways were ultimately better.
Following God’s call to missions, whether local or global, often requires us to yield our plans to His timing. For some, this may mean stepping out in faith despite personal preferences, family concerns, or financial sacrifices. The rub Paul experienced reminds us that God’s providential plan might look different from our own — but it is always worth following. If God is stirring your heart toward missions or a particular ministry, remember to walk patiently with Him. Cling tightly to Jesus and His desires, and hold your own plans loosely, knowing that He may guide you in ways you do not expect. God’s plans are good, and His timing is perfect.
In Dreaming Big for Missions, Don’t Neglect Caring for Believers
As we look to spread the gospel and fulfill God’s mission, there is another crucial principle in Paul’s example: even as we dream big, we must remember the importance of caring for believers. In his letter, Paul is clear about his passion for spreading the gospel to unreached places like Spain. Yet, before he pursues this plan, he emphasizes the need to deliver financial support to the church in Jerusalem. This reminder calls us to keep a balance — God’s call to go and spread the gospel does not imply neglecting our current responsibilities or the believers around us.
Paul’s decision to tend to the needs of the Jerusalem church highlights that mission work is not only about venturing into the unknown but also about actively supporting the existing body of Christ. Even as we are stirred to take the gospel further, we are reminded to uphold our responsibilities and commitments here at home. This balance, seen in Paul’s life, is one we strive to maintain as a church family. At Coggin, we are committed to loving our local community well while keeping our eyes fixed on the greater mission to reach the unreached.
So, how can you respond? There are many ways to get involved. If you sense a call to missions, take the bold step of surrendering to God’s direction, like Isaiah did when he said, “Here am I. Send me!” We are here to support and equip you, walking with you through each step to help prepare you for the journey ahead. Perhaps God is calling you to serve in a different ministry role or to support missions financially. Whatever it may be, know that every step, every act of generosity, and every prayer moves us closer to seeing the unreached reached and the believers encouraged.
2. Pray Fervently
As Paul wraps up his message, he leaves us with a vital instruction: to pray fervently. He urges the believers in Rome, “I urge you, brethren…to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me” (Romans 15:30). Paul’s appeal to the church is filled with urgency, highlighting that the most powerful contribution each of us can make in God’s mission is to pray. This is a call to engage in “striving” prayer, a type of prayer that contends, that intercedes, that battles for others with intensity and faith.
In fact, the word “striving” here has the imagery of going to battle. It is as if Paul is asking for fellow warriors to join him on the front lines, recognizing that spreading the gospel is a spiritual battle as much as it is a mission. The enemy will always work against efforts to reach the lost, but fervent prayer is the weapon God has given us to combat these spiritual obstacles.
Sometimes, it’s easy to think of prayer as a last resort or to feel like it’s “just” prayer. But that is a misunderstanding of the power God has given us through prayer. Paul challenges us to see prayer as the essential work that strengthens all we do. Through prayer, we invite God’s Spirit to move in ways beyond our ability and beyond the barriers that might hinder our efforts.
Church family, let’s not underestimate what God can do through prayer. Whether it is the dreams we have for missions or the vision we carry for our church, prayer is our access to divine power. God has given us this direct line to call upon Him, and in doing so, we become co-laborers with Christ in bringing His Kingdom to every corner of the earth. Let’s commit to this call to prayer with fervency, consistency, and faith, trusting that God will use it to accomplish far more than we could ever do on our own.
