The world is ever changing. The question is, has the Church alternated her activities and strategies in a regular repeated pattern?
The fall of Communism, the growth of Atheism, the increase of immorality and the new face of Islam are shaping the world we live in. China is facing the possible challenge of freedom and nuclear weapons in the Gulf will impact the globe in a definite way. Are we informed and in step with what God is doing?
The information and perspectives shared during the conference will not be a western interpretation of global events. With countless visits to the Arab World, Asia, South East Asia, Africa and the Gulf the content of this seminar will be shaped by the perspectives gained from interviewing local leaders and missionaries.
Each session will end with a 10/20 break where there will be a 10 minute discussion and then 20 minutes to relax , have some coffee and take a break. There will also be recommendations as to books, websites, DVD’s, etc. Each session will start with a questionnaire. Be prepared!
Topics will include:
Key to missions in not the winning of souls nor reaching the lost but understanding the Kingdom of God. Before looking at the 5 changeables in global events we will start the seminar with this solid foundation.
A look at how faith experience changed from one generation to the next and how the (mis)information explosion and Digital generation affects missions. We now live in borderless societies with technologic opportunities like never before in history..
Central to missions today is a clear understanding of the global shift of Christianity. This topic will therefore be divided into three sessions.
Key to missions is the local Church (John 17:9-20). In stead of focussing all our attention on the unreached people groups we need to understand the location of those who are placed within a local context to be the witnesses (Acts 1:8) amongst their own people.
The key to the Arab world is found in Egypt. Cairo is home to the biggest Church in the Arab world, housed in a cave on a garbage dump. The Coptic Church in Egypt is one of the major people groups within a mission context today. Are we equipping this mission force to reach the Arab world or are we ignoring a key role player within a Kingdom context?
At the same time the Church in the Arab world is shifting from Traditional believers to Muslim Converts. The Church in Europe is declining and China is experiencing the greatest and longest revival in the history of the Church. Why? Have we identified the new Global mission force and have we alternated our strategies to equip the Church in restricted areas?
The world is a body in motion. The trends of last year will be different this year and missions can only be understood in this context. Strategies must change within a changing world. The harvest fields identified in the past have changed during the years and the needs are changing with it. Islam has a new and appealing message and the faces of freedom and persecution are changing as well. . How will this affect missions? Are we in line with a transforming God.
There are strategic hotspots and definite gateways to the Arab world and to the Gulf region. Are we involved? How will the apocalyptic priest in Iran affect future events and what can we learn from China and India. How will Sudan stand as a wall in Africa. Key questions that demands strategic answers.
The following countries will be addressed in a context of change and relevance: Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, China and India, Sudan.
“Go and Make” has changed in some regions to “find and equip”. What resources are available and is it used effectively. There is a new mission force, the persecuted Church, to equip, send and support. Are we involved? Do we understand that the change in generations resulted in a change of needs which in turn demands a change in strategies.