The Canadian Reformed Churches believe that mission is not optional — it is an essential part of who we are as Christ's church. Christ, the risen Lord has entrusted his people with the gospel of the kingdom and commands us to proclaim it to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
On this page, you can learn what mission means in the Canadian Reformed Churches, how it is carried out, and how you can take part in Christ's ongoing work.
Mission is the joyful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It calls people everywhere to repentance and faith and gathers them into his church.
Mission includes:
At its heart, mission is Christ himself gathering his chosen people by his Spirit and Word, as we confess in the Heidelberg Catechism (Lord's Day 21). The message we proclaim is reconciliation with God through the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Mission begins with Christ. He is the great Missionary sent by the Father and now continues his saving work from heaven through his Word and Spirit (John 20:21).
Christ carries out this work through his church. Mission is not an independent, para-ecclesiastical or private initiative — it belongs to the church as church. For that reason:
Mission is a shared calling. When a missionary or mission worker is sent, the whole church stands behind the work.
Mission is the church's calling throughout the time between Christ's ascension and his return, for in this present age of grace he gathers his people from every nation (Acts 1:11; 2 Cor. 6:2), and until the Lord of the harvest brings the age to its close, the church continues to labour in hope.
Christ's command extends to "all nations" (Matthew 28:19). That means mission happens both abroad and close to home.
Canadian Reformed churches support mission work in a variety of international settings, including urban centres, rural communities, and developing regions.
This work may involve:
Mission also takes place within North America, especially in growing cities and diverse communities. Domestic mission includes:
Whether at home or abroad, the goal is the same: to establish and nourish faithful churches that confess the name of Jesus Christ.
We engage in mission because:
Mission is ultimately about worship. We proclaim Christ so that people from every tribe and tongue may glorify God for his mercy (Romans 15:8-12; Psalm 67).
Mission is also rooted in God's covenant promise to Abraham — that all the families of the earth would be blessed in him (Genesis 12:3). Through the spread of the gospel, that promise continues to unfold.
Canadian Reformed mission practice is shaped by clear biblical principles.
The gospel is God's power for salvation (Romans 1:16). While different tools and methods may be used, the preaching and teaching of Scripture remain central. The Spirit alone gives growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Missionaries are ordained and supervised by a sending church, often with the support of neighbouring congregations. This provides accountability, unity, and doctrinal faithfulness (Acts 14:26-27; 1 Timothy 4:14).
Missionaries seek to understand local cultures without compromising biblical truth. The goal is not to export North American church culture, but to help establish and nurture faithful local churches rooted in Scripture and the Reformed confession (Acts 15; Revelation 7:9).
Following the apostolic pattern, missionaries work toward equipping and mentoring local leaders so that, under the oversight of the local church, qualified office-bearers may be recognized and ordained (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). The long-term aim is a mature, self-sustaining Reformed local church.
Mission belongs to Christ. Its fruit depends entirely on his blessing. Congregations are therefore urged to uphold missionaries continually in prayer (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
The Canadian Reformed Missions Association (CRMA) exists to connect and equip the mission work carried out by the Canadian Reformed Churches. It brings together churches involved in mission work — both at home and abroad — so they can share information, learn from one another, and work more effectively together.
The CRMA strengthens communication between mission works and congregations. It helps church members pray knowledgeably by maintaining a blog with missionary updates and by sending regular prayer updates to the churches.
In this way, the CRMA serves as a networking, communication, and support hub — encouraging missionaries in the field and strengthening the churches that send and support them.
Visit the CRMA Website for More InformationMission is not only for those who are sent. Every believer has a role to play. You can:
As long as there are neighbours who do not know Christ — whether across the ocean or across the street — the calling remains urgent.
Trusting in the King who has all authority in heaven and on earth, we go forward in confidence that he will be with his church to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).