“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” — Matthew 9:37
For many years, I read Matthew 9:37 and felt the weight of “not doing enough” or of somehow falling short of what was expected as God’s “worker.” It wasn’t until later in life that I began to see this verse as an invitation filled with hope and purpose and not condemnation.
What makes this passage so hope-filled is its context. In the verses before, Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man, calls Matthew (a tax collector) to follow him, raises a girl from the dead, heals a sick woman, and restores sight to the blind. He travels through towns proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, noticing the crowds and responding to their needs with deep compassion.
Matthew 9:37 reflects the heart, mission, and command of God and Jesus to go into the world. We have a responsibility to love, care for, and support the wider church because that is what the Kingdom of God is about. Being sent into the harvest is just as much about caring for, resourcing, and strengthening those in the harvest, including our brothers and sisters living in complex and difficult countries, as it is about being there ourselves.
The passage is an invitation to recognise the good news of the kingdom and to respond through prayer and action – to open our hearts with compassion and seek God’s guidance in how individually and collectively we respond.
For example, Global Mission Partners recently received devastating news from one of our partners about the natural disaster in Vietnam. Pastor Bin shared, “Natural disasters, such as storms and floods, are occurring, and we are in great need of essential supplies to help those affected. This support would also make it easier to share the Gospel in the love of Christ.” In the midst of this tragedy, the local church in Vietnam is responding and inviting us in Australia to partner with them in the healing and restoration of families impacted by this event.
By walking alongside local churches, such as those in Vietnam, and leaders across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, we can support them as they serve their communities. This is not just about funding projects; it is about joining our brothers and sisters to bring hope, healing, and restoration within their own contexts.
Matthew 9:37 reminds us that the focus is not only on the scale of the harvest but also on taking practical steps to bring hope and restoration wherever He calls us.
Every prayer, gift, and act of support becomes part of God’s larger story, bringing transformation and hope where it is needed most. In serving others, we experience the same hope and transformation we share.
Ultimately, this work also unifies the church as we co-labour to bring God’s love into the world.
This year, we are launching a new initiative aimed at nurturing and empowering Christian leaders within the church communities we partner with around the world, as well as with Indigenous Ministry here in Australia. This will be a significant opportunity for you to deepen your partnership with us in God’s harvest. We look forward to sharing more details about this initiative with you in the coming months.
Jenni White,
International Church Partnerships Manager