1. Exalt the Lord 2. Equip the Saints 3. Evangelize the Lost For a description of these purposes, click on the following link. http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=533 Notice that Exalt the Lord is listed first in the purposes of the church. This is proper. We exist to glorify God, to praise God, to honor God. The primary purpose of missions is to bring others to exalt the Lord. We equip the saints so that they can do the work of the church. Saints are those who believe in Christ. As the saints are equipped, they participate in evangelizing the lost. The lost are those who do not yet believe in Christ. They are like lost sheep that a shepherd seeks to bring back into the fold.