With a Subtitle: America is a mission field too, and the next generation needs Christ.

A brief Excerpt: Missions overseas matter, but America needs the gospel too. This article is a call to believers to recognize the spiritual decline in the United States, and bring the truth of Christ back to campuses, schools, and the next generation.

The Author is: Ogo Cathern

For centuries, missionaries from the United States have poured themselves out to ensure the gospel reaches the ends of the earth.

A brief history of missionary efforts in Africa reveals sacrifice, endurance, and undeniable impact — schools built, lives changed, and the gospel firmly planted. Even with its complexities, the seed took root.

I cannot speak for other nations, but as an African, I can confidently say your efforts made a difference — and for that, I am grateful.

Pouring yourself out for others comes at a steep price, especially when zeal alone is allowed to run the show.

And I believe that is the consequence we see today.

America Needs Missionaries, Too

Christian missionaries have gone out to rescue other nations and, in the process, have left their own home unattended.

Americans — like the nations you take the gospel to — need God as well.

How is it possible that we continue to witness the decline of Christianity in the West, yet most, if not all, churches support some form of missions abroad?

Is it not written that charity begins at home?

Third-world countries do not need God any more than your sons and daughters here.

Ministry Must Begin at Home

Ministry starts at home — “You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem …” — but somehow we have emphasized the ends of the earth more than our own Jerusalem.

I am not saying missions abroad are not necessary.

I am saying both are required.

As you deploy abroad, deploy at home with equal zeal — but with a different strategy, because the needs are different.

Christianity in America Is in Decline

While men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares.

Christianity in America is in a chokehold.

And I do not see a reconvening happening. Instead, I see a doubling down on missions abroad — training to equip Americans, only to deploy them everywhere but at home.

Maybe it’s because we have all become oblivious to the level of godlessness in America today.

At least I know I was, until God took me out of my bubble.

The Assignment God Gave Me

In 2025, the Lord told me to take a course at a junior college.

On the surface, it seemed easy enough — except it wasn’t, by any stretch.

I had two children under the age of five. I had just earned an MBA, which was incredibly stressful, especially being pregnant and attending school. And truthfully, I do not enjoy traditional education. It was difficult, to say the least.

Then here is God saying: go take this unrelated course at a junior college.

But I knew it was God.

I remember telling my husband, you can never miss the voice of God when what you are being told is something you have absolutely no desire for.

The school was about an hour and a half away — one way.

I had to leave home before 7 a.m. just to make it to a 9 a.m. class. And I had to do that drive twice a week for 16 weeks.

But because I knew it was God, I obeyed.

And I am grateful for my husband, who gave me the liberty to pursue God fully.

At the time, I did not know the purpose of the assignment.

I was just attending.

Obedience Before Understanding

Sometimes God gives instructions that make no sense in the moment.

There was no logical reason for me to take that class. It did not fit my plans, my preferences, or my season of life.

But obedience is not always convenient, and it is not always immediately understandable.

Sometimes the assignment only makes sense after we have already said yes.

What I Encountered on Campus

At some point, I was done.

Not just because I was tired — but because I did not understand why I had to subject myself to what I can only describe as soft porn.

The course I was instructed to take was a fashion design class. And who knew that fashion shows have now become a form of soft porn?

Every time we had class, a fashion show would be played before class began.

So I started sitting in my car until the exact start time. Even then, sometimes the show would continue into class.

I was deeply disturbed.

So I complained bitterly to God.

“Why do I need to be subjected to this?”

And in that moment, I heard clearly:

“I brought you here so you can see and feel the godlessness of this campus — and many others in this nation.”

A Glimpse Into America’s Spiritual Darkness

The presence of evil was prevalent.

But a touch point for God? Non-existent.

And I am not talking about His omnipresence.

What I encountered was not just moral confusion. It was spiritual emptiness.

And that is when I began to understand that many American campuses are not neutral spaces. They are mission fields.

The Real Assignment Was Intercession

The Bible says, “How will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

Then came my assignment:

Every time you come to campus, come fasting — and intercede for dry bones to come back to life.

So I began to do as God instructed.

I went a step further and tried to find out if there were fellowships on campus — so we could join hands in intercession.

There were none.

I could not believe it.

In fact, when I asked around, everyone — including staff — looked at me like I was not speaking English.

Like I was strange.

And God said to me, even the fellowship on the main campus is a social club.

Prayer and Fasting for Revival

Since this experience, I have carried a burden — to take the true gospel back to campuses.

To make a place for God among the upcoming generations.

This is not just about noticing darkness. It is about confronting it in prayer.

It is about fasting, interceding, and believing that dry bones can live again.

Campuses Need the True Gospel

Our campuses do not merely need cleaner behavior, better politics, or more inspirational language.

They need the true gospel.

They need the presence of God.

They need believers who are willing to do more than complain about the darkness. They need believers willing to shine light into it.

A Clarion Call to Believers

So this is a clarion call.

Especially to those from Africa.

If you are a believer in Christ and God brought you here, it is not just for a better life or to chase money.

It is for His work.

The harvest is plentiful.

The missionaries now need our help.

It is time for us to give back into their own field.

The Mission Field Is Here Too

If anyone is already laboring in these parts, I would love to link arms — to make known the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ in the lives of our youths.

America is not beyond reach.

But the Church must stop acting as though the greatest spiritual need is always somewhere else.

There is work to be done here.

There are young people here who have never truly encountered the gospel.

There are schools, campuses, and communities here that desperately need Christ.

A Word to Teachers and School Leaders

I also would like to use this opportunity to share something the Lord told me some years back.

If you are a teacher, hear the word of the Lord;

Set aside 10 minutes each day to pray — walking back and forth from your office to the principal’s office. Pray in tongues if you are able; if not, pray in your understanding.

I do not know how long it will take before you begin to notice changes, but He guarantees that you will begin to see darkness being rolled back over your school.

Pray Over Your School With Purpose

Imagine what God can accomplish if we make ourselves completely available for His use —

Even when the instruction does not make sense to us.

Prayer is not passive.

Intercession is not small.

And faithful obedience in hidden places can become the very thing God uses to roll back darkness.

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