By Kelly Carr

When Christians think of places where the gospel needs to be spread, they may think of other countries and the missionaries who reach them. If they consider the U.S., what comes to mind is likely rural regions or urban areas that are impoverished. But how often do people think of the suburbs as a mission field?

We stereotypically picture the suburbs as middle- to upper-class families who are well off, so they seem to have it all together and are without need. But is that the case? Truly we know that income stability doesn’t equal spiritual maturity. Yet sometimes people may overlook the folks right under their nose who are spiritually impoverished.

When people are able to provide for themselves, they may not always sense a spiritual need since their material needs are met. Yet in this culture where people strive to provide the best for themselves and their families, the opportunity is ripe to demonstrate the amazing provision of salvation that Christ has already made available.

In this second week of our series on sharing Christ in different regions, we are seeking out the perspectives of people who live in the suburbs to find out what it’s like to share the good news of Jesus in that context. Their testimonies challenge those individuals living in suburban communities as well as the church bodies who worship in such settings. Let’s consider what we can learn from their experiences and how we can pray for our fellow workers in God’s kingdom as they see their communities as mission fields.

“I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).