The doomsday countdown had begun. Living in captivity, without official representation, Israel faced extermination (Esther 3:8-11). The situation seemed helpless.

But wait, there was an “insider” in the king’s palace — someone who was close to the king and shared his trust. Her name was Esther and she was providentially appointed “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Esther’s insider influence with the king helped save Israel (Esther 7:3-10).

God’s mission is achieved through everyday insiders — people like you and me. We don’t have to be next to a king to have an insider ministry.

Insiders share a common space, purpose, or interest with a group of people. As Christ followers, we’re all insiders somewhere and to someone. We’re insiders where we work. We’re insiders to our family. We’re insiders in our various social or neighborhood settings. Author Jim Peterson writes that, “You’re surrounded! You’ve spent . . . years relating to your family, your community, and your work situations. Some of your relationships are good, some are bad, but they all have potential for new meaning now that you’re a citizen of the Kingdom of God.”

In the New Testament, insiders are God’s players to advance the gospel. The Apostle Paul counted on the ministry of insiders. How did he do this? On his missionary journeys, Paul saw the world through the Jewish synagogues (Acts 13:5, 14:1). His ministry in the synagogues brought him into contact with God-fearing Greeks and Romans who were insiders to wider Gentile networks (Acts 13:42-43; Acts 14:1).

Among these new converts, Paul established spiritual beachheads, groups of believers who could reach out to their interconnected networks of families and friends (1 Thes 1:8). He counted on the continued growth of these spiritual offspring to their surrounding areas (Acts 13:49; Colossians 1:5,6). Paul’s strategy was simple, convert and mobilize enough insiders and you can evangelize the world!

Insiders are the people who bring light into dark places.

On my many trips to Bulgaria to minister with The Navigators, our team would regularly use the train for travel. On one trip through the Bulgarian countryside, a passenger pointed out the caves in the mountains that once housed a group of monks.

While I appreciate the devotion of these men my mind went to Philippians 2:14-15. Instead of staying in the world of a “crooked and perverse generation” where they could “shine as light,” they chose to escape to the mountains to find God. I found myself thinking, “They took their light out of the darkness.” Insiders are God’s strategy to bring light to dark places.

My friend Gino is an insider. With a name like Gino you know he’s Italian and a member of a local Italian club. Besides indulging in pasta and wine, Gino has become a master Bachi ball thrower. While throwing Bachi, Gino is having friendly conversations with these teammates and competitors. Some of these conversations turn into faith conversations. Gino’s an insider to an ethnic community where’s he’s having fun, making friends, and starting faith conversations. Gino is living as an insider — bringing light to a dark place.

The insider strategy is all about relationships.

People catch a glimpse of the Jesus-light when we get-up-close and personal with people. Theologian John Stott writes: “It comes more natural to us to shout the gospel at people from a distance than to involve ourselves deeply in their lives and their problems, and to feel with them in their pains.” Insiders do not shout from a distance but connect with people in relational and faith-filled ways.

Ken and Cindy are insiders in an ethnically diverse neighborhood. Ghanaians, Costa Ricans, and Haitian people populate their middle-class neighborhood. They build friendships with people by using the same YMCA, following the same “football” (soccer) teams, and inviting neighbors into their home for meals. Ken and Cindy use this relational trust to start faith conversations.

As insiders, you and I are God’s means to advance the gospel. We build friendships and sensitively start faith conversations right where we live, work, or play (Mark 5:19).

Our Lord has a simple strategy — if each insider is next to someone, then with enough insiders, we will be next to everyone! Watch the gospel spread when insiders are mobilized with this simple mission.

Time for reflection

• What are some biblical examples of an insider strategy?
• What do I think is the most important life quality for an insider to have?
• Who do I know that’s modeling the life of an insider?
• Who are the people that I’m an insider to (family, friends, neighbors, workplace)?

Some books to read:
The Insider by Jim Peterson and Mike Shamey
Surprise the World by Michael Frost