We Are Putting A Man On The Moon

I've worked with several organizations that had well-crafted mission and vision statements. Despite being well-written, they often felt like empty words—lacking concrete plans or clear outcomes. They didn't explain how the organization would achieve its goals. A key responsibility of any leader is to communicate a clear vision and a practical mission to realize that vision.

On September 12, 1962, at Rice University, President John F. Kennedy declared that the U.S. would put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. He outlined the need for new technologies, the scale of the project, and the national commitment required. His words energized the nation: “We choose to go to the moon this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” By the end of his speech, there was no doubt about the vision or how to achieve it.

Months later, Kennedy visited the NASA space center in Houston. He shook hands with employees and asked, “What is it that you do here?” Most gave typical job descriptions: “I’m a scientist,” “I’m an engineer,” etc. But one janitor replied, “Mr. President, we are putting a man on the moon.” This janitor understood the vision and his role in it more clearly than anyone else.

This scenario is common. People often take a simple, clear vision and complicate it. Unfortunately, this tendency isn’t confined to the secular world; it also affects churches. Many churches become preoccupied with programs, flashy worship, and catchy sermon titles, losing sight of being the church Jesus intended, rather than just doing church.

Jesus gave Christians a clear vision and mission just before He ascended to Heaven: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

The two key commands here are “go” and “make disciples.” “Go” requires action—not just attending church occasionally, as many do. Jesus calls us to actively go where people are, engage with them, and share life with those who are different from us. And as we go, we are to “make disciples.”

A disciple is not just a learner but a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. “Go and make disciples” means we are to lead others to become fully committed to Christ, who can then lead others in turn. Whether you're a pastor, musician, servant, prayer warrior, or janitor, we all play a role in this mission.

Like the janitor at NASA who said, “We are putting a man on the moon,” we should be able to confidently say, “We are making disciples of Jesus Christ.”