I was blessed with an opportunity to go to our world conference in Orlando, Florida in July this year. Finally, after going over-rivers for many years I finally get to go overseas! Sadly I went alone but I made sure to maximise on the experience.
The conference is aptly names "GO" because it's about just that: reflecting on & celebrating what God is doing in the world through our movement and other movements, recognizing the remaining work and hearing God's heart for us for the next three years regarding campus ministry, church planting and missions.
The power of the conference was bringing over 5000 people from 80 nations with one heart, passion and vision into one location for a week.
For 5 days straight I was surrounded by over 5500 people who speak different languages but have one heart beat. Imagine everywhere you go you're meeting and talking to people who have the same passion. This messes with your mind and sets your heart aflame as you get reminded why we're doing what we do - that the point of campus ministry is to see every nation in one heart.
These are some of my main highlights:
2. Seeing first hand the scope of what God is doing in the nations i.e. that despite what people might say, the gospel is advancing faster than it ever did in history.
3. Connecting with people who are missionaries in nations where it's dangerous to be a follower of Christ.
On one night, nations night, we reflected that we currently have churches or active church plants in 31 of the 50 countries that are the most dangerous nations to be a follower of Christ. At the end of that night we saw over 30 people respond to the call to go be missionaries in the remaining 19 nations.
It was great also being reminded that the remaining task is too big for any single movement to accomplish, it will only come when movements work in unity.
Where to from here?
What was re-established solidly is this:
Leaving Cape Town: Leo is not impressed that I'm leaving
The conference is aptly names "GO" because it's about just that: reflecting on & celebrating what God is doing in the world through our movement and other movements, recognizing the remaining work and hearing God's heart for us for the next three years regarding campus ministry, church planting and missions.
The power of the conference was bringing over 5000 people from 80 nations with one heart, passion and vision into one location for a week.
For 5 days straight I was surrounded by over 5500 people who speak different languages but have one heart beat. Imagine everywhere you go you're meeting and talking to people who have the same passion. This messes with your mind and sets your heart aflame as you get reminded why we're doing what we do - that the point of campus ministry is to see every nation in one heart.
These are some of my main highlights:
1. Connecting with people and campus ministry leaders who are facing or have faced what we are facing.
- Hearing what other students and campus missionaries face in their nations and how they overcome makes you appreciate what you have at home and also reminds you that while we might be consumed by the mountains we face in our own context, we already have a lot to give to the world.
- It was also powerful meeting and hanging out with people who, like Chinelle & I, lead campus ministries while raising small kids and exchanging notes, stories & experiences together.
In this picture is all of us who are part of the global leadership for campus ministry
2. Seeing first hand the scope of what God is doing in the nations i.e. that despite what people might say, the gospel is advancing faster than it ever did in history.
- Being in a specific nation in person is probably the best way to see first hand but I think a close second best is interacting for an extended time with someone serving in that nation.
- I connected with people doing campus ministry in the Israel, Japan, Sweden, Kazakhstan and other nations.
- During the conference sessions we reflected that up until 2016 we had planted churches and campus ministries in 60 nations and now 3 years later we are in 80 nations.
Praying for the nations with the nations during the daily prayer sessions
- For some people at the conference, doing campus ministry means everyday they could get arrested as parents report them to the police for sharing the gospel with their kids.
- Seeing the passion and sacrifice makes one remember that to give your life to see more people come to the saving knowledge of Christ is a worthy cause to live for.
With some of my friends who lead campus ministries in Southern Africa
On one night, nations night, we reflected that we currently have churches or active church plants in 31 of the 50 countries that are the most dangerous nations to be a follower of Christ. At the end of that night we saw over 30 people respond to the call to go be missionaries in the remaining 19 nations.
It was great also being reminded that the remaining task is too big for any single movement to accomplish, it will only come when movements work in unity.
Where to from here?
- God has given each movement an area of stewardship and ours is the campus ministry.
- We are not the only movement with this mandate but that is also our mandate.
- Our primary contribution to changing the world will be from reaching the next generation by planting campus ministries and churches that have a deliberate focus of reaching students.
- University students are not the only future leaders in a society, however, the campus is our specific assignment.
- We will find fruit when we steward what is entrusted to us.
- It's about pursuing what you're graced for.
- The primary way to grow is to plant new campus ministries.
- It's going back to our original mandate of missions and pioneering new campus ministries on every campuses.
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