MULTI directional MULTI ethnic MULTI skilled
engaged in Christ s mission Matthew 28:16-20 Galilee! (4:12-17) WORSHIP is our starting point LORDSHIP is our founding authority DISCIPLESHIP is our central activity HIS PRESENCE is our continual confidence In, to and from c.21 st Britain?
Gospel Poor people 7.5 billion people (11,750 people groups)
Senegal The Wolof 5m people < 500 follow Christ
Japan 125m people < 1% committed evangelical Christians
Multi-directional mission
Gospel spread through migration God s mission progressively realised Luke: the proclamation of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Christ s name is the continuation of God s fulfilment of his promise of a Messiah Acts: the Spirit of God initiates the global spread of God s gospel of grace (1:8), prepares and directs witnesses to Christ and grants faith (15:7-8; 16:6-40; 20:24) The spread of the Word took place due to the forced and impromptu migration Judeo-Christians those with a diaspora background played a significant role in the spread of the gospel in the Greco-Roman world of the first century
Embracing Christ s mission in, from and to UK Multi-Ethnic Mission 100,000 Somali in the UK in cities such as Glasgow, Cardiff and Manchester Almost all are Sunni Muslim Somalia opening up 1 million in the UK second most popular mother tongue! 1.2 million Mirpuri in Pakistan Almost no known believers 99% Muslim, 0.04% evangelical 150,000 live in London 11 million Sylheti speakers globally Marginalised minority in over 20 countries 10-15 million are nomadic Bible translation is ongoing in many dialects
What will ethnic-diversity look like in 2025? [UK: migration] Record numbers of migrants Over 50% from Non-EU countries Asylum applications rose for 5 th successive year Eritrea Iran Pakistan Sudan Syria 13% UK Population Overseas 30% UK Population Ethnic Minorities 2025 4.8% UK Population Muslim 11% UK Population Muslim by 2025
A networked approach to mobilising missionaries. Multi-skilled mission through ANY MEANS through SPORT through BUSINESS through UNIVERSITIES through MEDICINE through TEACHING
What will church-centred mission need to look like in 2030? [UK: Church partnerships] Support sending and receiving in global mission Intentional Local Mission Resource in multi cultural mission STRATEGIC COLLOBORATION Strategic global mission Develop leadership & vision for world mission So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ Eph 4 v11
MODELS FOR MOBILISING I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I might share in its blessings T R I E TRAIN language and culture learning RECEIVE Cross-cultural mission in the UK INTERNSHIP mission mentoring overseas EXPLORE short term teams Gospel Workers 1Corinthians 9:22-23 S SEND gospel workers where no gospel witness
What is the Core North Initiative? Interview with John & Abi Hunt
180 Million People The most populous nation in Africa and 7 th largest in the world!
70+ Million Muslims have yet to embrace Christ as Saviour and it is legal to share the gospel!
70+ Million Christians to be discipled and mentored and new converts every day!
If God were to bless = 50 km radius from city
If God were to bless Pioneering teams in each major northern city, mentoring and working alongside Nigerians Doctors, Nurses, Practitioners travelling to urban and rural areas ESL and literacy workers among Muslim communities Community development workers responding to adversity and helping rebuild areas devastated by insurgency Theological educators in non-institutional, grass-roots settings
If God were to bless Further discipling through current ministries toward mobilising Nigerians for gospel ministry Partnerships with local Christians to further equip the church in the North and prepare believers to fulfill Christ s commission Long-term gospel ministry among the Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri, others in the 12 Sharia states in Northern Nigeria
Why the North? 1. To reach the Muslim lost
50+ million Muslims in the Core North More than the population of Kenya (48.5m), or Ghana and Côte d Ivoire combined (52.5m)
Have they not heard? Many have never heard the Gospel Even those who have heard may not understand it because they hear it through an Islamic filter a veil over the minds
2. To Support the persecuted and Marginalised Church Threats: Not just external Boko Haram Persecution and Marginalisation by the Muslim majority But also internal Spiritual weakness False teaching
I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Luke 12:4 5
How must we develop? This will include... Cross-agency collaboration: focus on where people will otherwise live and die without hearing the gospel
MAKE DISCIPLES BY ALL POSSIBLE MEANS CROSS AGENCY COLLABORATION
How must we develop? This will include... Cross-agency collaboration: focus on where people will otherwise live and die without hearing the gospel Christ-like discipleship: focus on personal development and mentoring for enduring service
CHRIST-LIKE DISCIPLESHIP Biblical Discipleship Religious/Spiritual Ideology Ministry development Theology of mission Culture & language acquisition Multi-ethnic team ministry Church partnership Personal Development
How must we develop? This will include... Cross-agency collaboration: focus on where people will otherwise live and die without hearing the gospel Christ-like discipleship: focus on personal development and mentoring for enduring service Church-centred approach: focus on equipping believers for relational outreach at home and abroad
Sacrificial gospel partnership Part of the need for modern missions is churches modelling the things that they ask missionaries to do: congregations who make disciples at home and not just among the nations, multi-ethnic communities who understand the complexities of crossing cultures, churches who are about the work of evangelism and evangelism training. We need fellowships that are generous too, willing to share their financial resources and even their best leaders when the call comes.. J. Mack Stiles
Make disciples of all nations? Barriers to cross-cultural impact Believers in a diaspora group tend to focus on discipling and evangelising people in their own cultural group Unfamiliarity with the local language Unfamiliarity with indigenous cultural assumptions Prejudice shown by one group to another Lack of meaningful connection and shared understanding with people from other faith backgrounds Failure to realise the mission field we are in
So that more people hear 1. Communicate the gospel in the common language of the people in ways that shall be understood in the context of their culture. If the Scriptures are not yet available, make their publication a priority.
2. Instruct believers in the Word of God by all possible means that they may be salt and light in the nation and assume their responsibilities in the local Body of Christ, the church.
So that more people hear 3. Concentrate on the development of mature Christian leaders who shall play their part in the churches and also in the community as the Holy Spirit directs.
So that more people hear 4. Where there are local believers, involve them in all vision casting, planning and execution of ministries, so as to ensure effective continuation of the ministry by the local church.
So that more people hear 5. Minister to needs of the people in the name of Christ in ways which are feasible, effective and within the capabilities of the church, accompanied with a clear expression of the gospel.
6. Motivate and help to equip churches to fulfil their own missionary mandate.
So that more people hear 7. Periodically evaluate ministries to assure their continued effectiveness.
So that more people hear 8. Has philosophy of decision-making on ministry issues which makes them as close to the place of ministry as possible
For further discussion 1. What are the opportunities presented by multi-directional mission? 2. What is the potential impact of engaging in multi-ethnic mission together amongst nationals and migrants? 3. What more can be done to realise the missionary potential of our church congregations?
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.' Acts 17:26-27
Who are today s migrants? Refugees migrating by coercion rooted in violence, war and unrest Persons of concern 69.3m worldwide
Refugees / Asylum Seekers / Internally Displaced People Colombia* 7.1m Syria* 6.7m Iraq* 4.7m Sudan* 3.6m Yemen* 3.4m Pakistan 3.0 m Turkey 2.7m Nigeria* 2.4m South Sudan 2.2m D.R.C* 2.1m Ukraine* 1.6m Afghanistan 1.5m Myanmar* 1.3m Lebanon 1.0m Germany 1.0m Cote d Ivoire 1.0m Source: UNCHR Mid-year Review 2016
Who are today s migrants? Refugees migrating by coercion rooted in violence, war and unrest Persons of concern 69.3m worldwide Economically active most international migrants are of working age International students estimated over 5m worldwide Nomads 30m (estimate)
Responding to our times: Macro trends International migrants worldwide = 244m in 2015 (173m in 2000) Less than 5% of countries, statehood = peoplehood Highest number of people are moving to Europe and Asia Rapid urbanisation 70% by 2050 Changing face of global Christianity Western world can no longer be characterised as a Christian society/culture in either it s dominant ethos or worldview
Sustained by migration God acts in judgment and grace (Gen 3-11) 3:22-24 drove Adam from the garden (judgement) first and foremost to ensure that he did not remain in his state of rebellion forever (grace) 4:12-16 condemned Cain to wander as a fugitive but graciously protects his life 11:1-9 confuses human language (judgement) but continues his creation purpose by dispersing them over the face of the earth (grace)
Salvation through migration God s promise to Abraham (not yet) fully realised God s present work: to build a diaspora people into a holy temple through faith in Christ (1 Peter 2:4-12; Ephesians 2:11-22) God s future vison: to make everything new (Rev 21:1-4) e.g. Revelation 7:9-13 Innumerable people gathered around his throne 1) Washed in his blood (7:14) 2) Shepherded into eternal life (7:17)
Vision for migrant ministry? Cross barriers to proclaim the crucified and risen Christ, expressing his love and compassion amongst migrants who live and die without him? Make disciples amongst migrants who will trust and obey Jesus, and become part of Christ-centred churches? Work together with churches amongst migrants to show and tell Christ s love in communities where he is least known? Facilitate participation in gospel ministry amongst migrants through those God is calling into mission service?
#HowWillTheyHear
65 MILLION FORCIBLY DISPLACED WORLDWIDE 10 MILLION NEWLY DISPLACED IN 2016 20 PERSONS EVERY MINUTE WORLDWIDE
PRAYER PEOPLE people proclaiming gospel hope to migrants
OPPORTUNITIES UK Greece Germany Italy Middle East
CONNECT PRAY VOLUNTEER email: info@howwilltheyhear.net
PRAYER POINTS #HowWillTheyHear campaign: UK Church to respond to the gospel needs of migrants Migrants: safety and protection and opportunities for Christians to come alongside them to hear and respond to the gospel Partners: Christians, Churches and partner organisations in Europe and the Middle East working amongst migrants #HowWillTheyHear