“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8 (BSB)
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.’” — John 20:21 (BSB)
“How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? …As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” — Romans 10:14–15 (BSB)
Through mission, we share the Gospel, plant churches, teach Scripture, care for the poor, defend the vulnerable, and labor for the coming of Christ’s Kingdom. Mission is both evangelistic and compassionate—proclaiming salvation in Christ and embodying His mercy through justice and service. It begins in our homes and neighborhoods, and extends to the ends of the earth.
Canon Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) writes, “Mission is not an optional program—it is the very reason the Church exists. To know Christ is to be sent by Him.”
Bishop Julian Dobbs (Diocese of the Living Word, ACNA) explains, “The Church does not have a mission. God has a mission—and the Church is His chosen vessel. Every Christian is sent. Every congregation is called.”
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer expresses the Church’s missionary heart through prayers for “all sorts and conditions of men,” collects for the spread of the Gospel, and the charge to the newly baptized and confirmed to “confess the faith of Christ crucified” and “fight under His banner.” The dismissal after Holy Communion—“Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”—sends the Church into the world on mission.
J.C. Ryle wrote, “A true Christian must be a missionary. If we have received the light of the Gospel, we must not hide it under a bushel but let it shine to the ends of the earth.” (Practical Religion, 1878)
Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) has said, “Mission is not a department of the Church—it is its heartbeat. The Church exists to bring the light of Christ into the darkness of the world.”
Mission glorifies Christ because it extends His Kingdom, calls the lost to salvation, and displays His redeeming love to the nations.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD): “The glory of God is man fully alive—and man comes fully alive only in Christ. Therefore, let Christ be made known.” — Against Heresies, IV.20.7
St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604 AD): “The Lord calls not only that we may come to Him, but that we may go for Him—to seek the lost, lift the fallen, and preach His peace.” — Homilies on the Gospels, 17
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD): “There is no greater work than this: to draw souls to Christ. Every Christian should be a missionary in heart, word, and life.” — Homily on Matthew, 46
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
PO Box 873
Abbotsford, BC,
V2T 7A2, Canada
If you are interested in starting a St. Thomas Church in your area and or ordination path fill the contact card form.
St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
