Empowered To Send: Why The Church Must Be A Launchpad, Not A Landing Zone Series

For many, church has become a comfortable place—a sanctuary where we find peace, encouragement, and fellowship. But Jesus never intended the church to be a final destination. Instead, He envisioned it as a dynamic launching pad, a place that equips, empowers, and sends believers into the world to make a Kingdom impact.

Too often, churches become landing zones—places where believers arrive, settle, and stay comfortable. Yet, the heartbeat of the Great Commission is movement: “Go, therefore, and make disciples.” Jesus did not call us to stay safe within four walls; He called us to go out, to be His witnesses, and to bring the light of the Gospel to every corner of the earth.

Today, we’re going to explore what it means for the church to be a launchpad—a place of preparation, empowerment, and sending, where believers are equipped for the mission and propelled into the world with the power of the Holy Spirit.

I. The Mission of the Church: Sent, Not Settled

Jesus’ final command to His disciples was not to build a comfortable community but to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The Great Commission is at the very heart of what it means to be the church. It’s not about gathering in comfort but about going out with purpose.

A. Understanding the Call to “Go”

In Matthew 28, Jesus commands His followers to “go.” This single word changes everything. It means that the mission of the church is not about settling down but about sending out. The church is called to be a movement, not a monument. It’s a place of action, not just assembly. The purpose of gathering is not to create a holy huddle but to prepare for the mission ahead.

Additional Insight: The early church understood this call. In the book of Acts, the disciples didn’t remain in Jerusalem; they were scattered by persecution and carried the Gospel to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This scattering wasn’t a setback—it was a divine strategy to spread the message of Jesus to every corner of the world.

Application: How do you view the church? Is it a place to settle and stay comfortable, or do you see it as a launchpad for mission? Have you embraced the call to “go,” or are you waiting for someone else to take the first step?

B. A Church on the Move

The New Testament church was a church on the move—constantly sending out apostles, missionaries, and evangelists to share the Good News. They were not content to keep the message to themselves. They moved from house to house, city to city, and nation to nation, driven by the urgency of the Gospel. This is the kind of church that Jesus envisioned—a church that never settles, a church that always reaches.

Illustration: Picture a military base. The base is a place of training, equipping, and preparation, but its purpose is to send soldiers into the field, not to keep them on the base forever. The church is meant to be a base for Kingdom warriors, training and equipping them to be effective witnesses in the world. It’s not a shelter from the world but a launchpad to transform it.

II. Empowered to Go: The Role of the Holy Spirit

When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He didn’t send His disciples out in their own strength. He promised them power—the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

A. The Power to Witness

The Holy Spirit’s empowerment is essential for the mission. We are not sent out with mere words or human effort; we are sent with the very power of God. This is what makes the church a launchpad—believers are not only trained and equipped but also filled with the Spirit, enabled to do what they could never do on their own.

Additional Insight: The word “witness” in Acts 1:8 comes from the Greek word “martys,” which means to testify, even to the point of death. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be bold witnesses, willing to go wherever God leads, regardless of the cost. This is not about human strength but about divine enablement.

Application: Are you relying on the power of the Holy Spirit for your witness, or are you trying to do it in your own strength? Have you sought the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment to be effective in your mission field? Remember, we are not called to go alone; we are sent with God’s power.

B. Equipping the Saints for the Mission

One of the primary roles of the church is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. This means training, discipleship, teaching, and empowering every believer to use their gifts for the Kingdom. A launchpad church is a church that doesn’t just fill seats but fills hearts with passion, minds with knowledge, and hands with skills for the mission.