Agora is the Greek word for market place, forum, where people gathered for dialogue, discussions, sharing information or just for being together (Acts 17:17). The Mission Commission staff is launching a monthly newsletter, called Agora , directed primarily to the MC Associates but also sent to other mission leaders and available on the MC web page. Agora is an open forum for the MC Associates, MC Task Forces and Networks as a complement to the magazine Connections.
Brief texts and news for publication in Agora can be sent to our office in Brazil:bekstrom@worldevangelical.org
Agorais also available (including back issues) at our website: http://www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/commissions/mc/
Read in this issue of Agora:
View and listen to Geoff Tunnicliffe, the International Director of WEA at http://www.youtube.com/worldevangelicals
NEMA, the Nigerian Evangelical Missions Association, the flagship and umbrella body for Nigeria missions movements comprising over 100 denominations and missions organizations with some 5,200 Nigerian missionaries in 56 countries, celebrates 25 years on the Nigerian and global mission landscape. This by every account is worth celebrating with a sense of gratitude to God. Just over 50 years ago, Nigeria represented one of the largest missionary receiving nations on the African continent. In fact, in 1986 Nigeria has a mere 500 field missionaries when over 10,000 expatriate missionaries dotted our landscape. Thankfully, today, God has transformed Nigeria into global missionary sending nation.
To acknowledge this landmark we are holding special events in October. We will give gratitude to the Lord of the harvest; honour the incredibly resourceful godly men and women used and being used by God to fulfil His mission through Nigerian church; and rekindle the fire of frontier passion in larger community of the saints in Nigeria. Although some of the awardees have gone to be with the Lord in glory, their cherished memories still serves as an inspiration. So from October 22-26, 2007 @ Nigeria Centre for Global Harvest, in Jos we will gather for multiple events around the theme: Beyond the Boundaries: Gratitude, Tribute and Advance!
The week is indeed loaded with integrated and multi-level events like:
We will also hold our Annual General Assembly and election of NEMA officers.
Event: Nigeria Missions Silver Jubilee Leadership Congress
Date: Monday October 22 to Friday October 26, 2007.
Theme: Beyond the Boundaries: Gratitude, Tribute and Advance
Venue: Nigeria Centre for Global Harvest, NEMA HQ, 91 Rayfield Road, Jos
Invitees: NEMA Member Agencies’ leaders and delegates, other Church and Mission leaders, and International Mission Leaders
Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA)
Timothy O Olonade, Executive Secretary - tim.olonade@hisen.org
EFMA BECOMES THE MISSION EXCHANGE
“The Mission Exchange is a name that captures the sense of dynamic,
interactive relationships between church and mission organizations and
their leaders that is at the heart of our identity and vision…”
─Steve Moore, President and CEO
Atlanta, Sept. 18, 2007—The Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies (EFMA) is an organization with a long, rich history—and a new name. The EFMA is now The Mission Exchange. “Our new identity is the outgrowth of prayerful thought and strategic reflection,” said Steve Moore, President and CEO of The Mission Exchange (formerly EFMA). “But the phrase ‘formerly EFMA’ does not suggest that we are turning our back on our heritage but that we are turning a new page, entering a new and exciting season.” EFMA was formed in 1946 out of the National Association of Evangelicals to foster greater collaboration between mission agencies. It’s a heritage the organization is proud of, but 60 years later the EFMA board of directors wanted to make sure the identity of the organization more accurately reflected its vision and agreed to change the name to The Mission Exchange. The Mission Exchange’s goal is simple: help mission organizations be more effective. To accomplish that goal, the ministry focuses on initiatives designed to add value to leaders and stimulate partnerships in the missions community. “Our motive for adapting the name is for greater relevance and increased effectiveness,” said Moore. “We believe The Mission Exchange is a name that captures the sense of dynamic, interactive relationships between churches and mission organizations and their leaders that is at the heart of our identity and vision. In The Mission Exchange, we are cultivating a community where leaders can exchange ideas, expand their capacity, broaden perspectives, share burdens, and form partnerships, just to mention a few of the possibilities.”
For more information about The Mission Exchange, call (770) 457-6677 or visit
www.TheMissionExchange.org.
www.crossgloballink.org
We have a new name! For 90 years you have known us as IFMA (Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association). We are now known as CrossGlobal Linksm. Our passion is to glorify God together by reaching people everywhere with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this by facilitating our members with a variety of services and programs, so they can thrive in their specific God-given mission endeavors. Why did we change our name? Under our new banner — CrossGlobal Linksm — we bring new opportunities to better serve North American mission organizations and churches. In so doing, we did nothing to change the original purpose and standards of IFMA. Those stay intact. So, look for our new seal on member publications and websites - it’s still the seal of integrity, but with added value! See more at www.CrossGlobalLink.org
Ajith Fernando
The Christian church is notorious for its pendulum shifts. Towards the end of the nineteenth century the liberals began to emphasise the humanness of Christ, and they focused on presenting the life of Christ and its example as the main challenges of the gospel. The Evangelicals reacted by emphasising the atoning work of Christ (especially as explained by Paul) in their evangelism, almost to the exclusion of the life of Christ. The result was that the liberals concentrated on good deeds especially expressed in social concern and the Evangelicals on saving souls as the main features of Christian mission. (Read the full article in the next issue of Connections, November 2007)
World Vision International seeks a Director of Church Partnerships to lead our global engagement with the Church through coordinating partnerships with global Church bodies (Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, World Evangelical Alliance, World Council of Churches, Lausanne, Viva Network, etc), and consulting with World Vision regional and national offices in their development of church partnerships. This position requires an experienced leader who works well with the breadth of church structures and traditions, and has extensive global and local experience in church relation strategy. This position is not a “marketing” or fund-raising position. Rather the goal is to enhance World Vision’s partnerships with churches to contribute to spiritual and social transformation and strengthen churches’ engagement in ministry in response to poverty, injustice, HIV/AIDS, the spiritual nurture of children, interfaith relations, and holistic witness to the Gospel. The Director of Church Partnerships is a member of a team of global, regional and national Christian Commitments leaders in the 95 countries where World Vision serves. This person must have strong self-directed leadership abilities and be able to build collaborative relationships amidst vast denominational, cultural and geographic differences. Because of the global nature of the responsibilities, the geographic location of the Director is negotiable. The position requires extensive international travel and experience in International community field work.
The full scope of this position may be viewed in the job description found at www.wvi.org under the “employment” option.
2. Director of Christian Formation and Spiritual Nurture
If you, or any interested individuals, need more information, please contact
The Revd. Canon Mark Oxbrow
Faith2Share Network Coordinator
Church Mission Society (CMS),
PO Box 1799, (Watlington Rd.) Oxford, OX4 9BN, UK
Tel : Direct dial) +44 1865 787440 Tel: (Switchboard) +44 1865 787400
Fax: +44 1865 776375 Telephone within UK: 0845 620 1799
Mobile: UK +44 7985 631816
Skype : MarkOxbrow
Email: markoxbrow@aol.com
The IMTN (International Missionary Training Network) would like to introduce a new service to promote missionary training around the world. Please visit The Evangelical Training Database at http://www.trainforchrist.org/ and add your school, program or course to the list. There is no fee for this service and it is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. You will also find the link on the front page of the IMTN.org
As a result of an increased felt need on the field, as well as an expressed interest from both the business community and non-profit sector, Youth With A Mission’s (YWAM) International Business as Missions Resource Team is offering the first-ever Introduction to Business as Missions Course. The official announcement of our upcoming course went out last month through a number of communication channels. We've received back great interest and confirmation of a need for this type of training as there are many individuals looking for tangible opportunities to connect and plug into the business as missions (BAM) movement globally.
The course is open to participants from all avenues of life—business professionals, entrepreneurs, missionaries, recent graduates—but is focused on equipping and releasing new practitioners into BAM projects around the world. It will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand January 26-March 8, 2008 and facilitated by our International BAM Resource Team. A strong partnership of experienced BAM practitioners, recognized lecturers and successful business coaches & entrepreneurs will provide additional and ongoing learning opportunities for participant throughout the course. Our aim is to provide participants with a conceptual understanding of BAM and to offer quality business coaching—equipping them to launch their own initiatives or join together with existing BAM projects. An emphasis on personal development and spiritual growth are also key components of the course.
For more information, please contact
Business As Missions
YWAM Harpenden, UK
(Monthly newsletter of Tentmakers International) October 2007
1. Editorial
2. News
3. Upcoming events
Editorial - by Johnny Chun / Executive Secretary of TI
Today's world pursues easy and convenient ways but God's perspective is different from this world's. In this dried and hungry material world, we Christians still struggle to change this world into a better place where the Gospel is preached everywhere. In order to make people everywhere hear the gospel of Jesus, we as tentmakers around the world began to work together. Still all we know is that it's a long way ahead. In order to see "the preached gospel" everywhere,...we have got to move and work TOGETHER.
When Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel , God commanded him, "Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving you". Take note that the Lord had said, "You and all these people." In God's way of doing things, people are the key to open the way. In God's perspective, people are at the center of God's heart. Crossing over the Jordan with many people was not an easy task. A lot of difficulties and complaints were waiting for them. But the Promised Land was given when they all went over Jordan together. To get the synergy effect of tent-making missions throughout the world, we as Christians, not as internationals, are to move and work together even though we are from different races, different locations and different cultural backgrounds.
For this great tentmaking movement, I believe God leads us into a pathway, not into a highway where everybody can go easily. At times we can become fearful as we move forward with the movement because we've "never been there before." But just as the Lord took care of Joshua and Israel , He will take care of this Tentmaker movement and its workers. Sometimes, we are anxious about some new and untried pathways on which the Lord is leading us, but when we press on and face the new adventure together, our dream to see tentmakers everywhere will be realized.
Use the unused resources .Christians can be found at every level of society. Ideally, they should be having a profound influence for Christ on the people with whom they live and work. So, given their widespread distribution in the different
cultures, why are Christ's people not having more of an impact? The problem is not that Christians are not where they should be, but that they are not always what they should be and it is because of the lack of vision and training.
Therefore, even though we talk about "Tentmaking" in terms of missions, we, the Tentmakers, are responsible to train and use the unused resources the so called "daily Christians" whether they are at home or abroad.
In the last 20 years, tentmaking has been discussed for foreign missions. Now, unexpectedly this T/M mission movement brought a very strong wave to ordinary Christians at home and makes them work for the Lord in their job places. We do not know the end of this Tentmaking movement but one thing is certain. We all are called to serve Him for His kingdom...
NEWS
International ― Massive migration in Africa by those with education and money has resulted in a lack of needed resources. Without them, illiteracy and poverty reign in many places.
CURE International's Lisa Wolf says they're fighting that with the concept of "teaching hospitals." "So many of t he countries suffer from 'brain drain,' particularly with their medical professionals. They don't have the equipment that they need, and they don't have the resources. We're providing those resources and providing the training. And because they have a terrific hospital to work at--one that is taking care of both physical and spiritual needs--they want to stay." Teaching hospitals are providers of primary care and routine patient services, as well as centers for experimental, innovative and technically sophisticated services. According to the definition of a teaching hospital, medical students typically spend two to three years in a teaching hospital doing clinical training, after completing their pre-clinical training in the medical school of a university..
For example, the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda in Mbale has established a Fellowship Program for pediatric neurosurgeons. It is the only such program on the continent. Two neurosurgeons per year will study and work at CCHU, to focus their skills on children and to concentrate on a range of afflictions of the brain and central nervous system. Another way this works is through their Program for Advanced Training in Hydrocephalus or PATH. The team has already established such a program in western Tanzania. CCHU has PATH applicants from Ghana, Zambia, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Nepal, Senegal, Honduras and Madagascar.
Wolf says their staff are also conscious of the evangelistic side of this work. "We place an equal emphasis on the physical healing of the child as well as the spiritual healing. We have been told by patients, their families, and other people who have gone to visit the hospital that there is a real sense of compassion and a real demonstration of God's love."
AFRICA
Senegal ― Senegal is recognized as one of the more stable countries in Africa, a model democracy. In spite of this, poverty is widespread and unemployment high--two key factors that plague neighboring countries, often ending in instability . FARMS International's Nathan McLaughlin describes how they're addressing the issue. "The Senegal FARMS program is a program we started about three years ago, and we are working with a number of churches in Dakar--the capital city, and the second city is Rufisque." They provide micro-enterprise loans to needy families. Once a businessman gets a loan, he can get started on his own business. The stipulation is that he also tithes to his local church to support the pastor, hence freeing him up to do more outreach. The key, says McLaughlin, is the connection with the local church. "What we want is a healthy family that is able to take care of itself, but also a family that is tithing to their church. We believe that the best evangelism can take place when a church is healthy and able to take care of itself." They're excited because the churches are making good inroads and witnessing to a large Sunni Muslim population there--even some outreach to the tribal areas of Senegal. McLaughlin says with their help, believers are emboldened. "The Christians there face some tremendous challenges, but they are really rising to the occasion and are really quite fearless in their spreading of the Gospel." ( Taken from MNN)
EUROPE
OSLO, NORWAY-- TENT Norway & GLOBAL Opportunities are expanding their annual tentmaking course reach by adding Oslo to the roster. The GUS center is ideally located just outside of Oslo in a forested area. Students are housed in cozy cabins on the grounds and all meals are included in the course fee. TENT reports that this will be the largest tentmaking course yet, with some 40 students already registered, but there is still room for a few more. These courses attract future and current tentmakers from all across Europe and beyond, making the time together a very rich experience for all. If you feel a nudge to attend, contact Steinar Opheim or register on the TENT website. (taken from Brigada)
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 11 – 14, 2007 Oslo , Norway . Tentmaking course to be held in Norway . For more information go to the following link http://www.tent.no/arrangement/index.php#49
October 29 – November 2, 2007 "Give Us The Nations" The 2nd Euronet Missions Conference Brussels, Belgium . Organized and sponsored by the European Filipino Christian Networking Trust. For more information, visit: http://www.euronettrust.com
April 30 – May 4, 2008 , Bergen Norway . Tentmaking course to be held in Norway . For more information go to the following link. http://www.tent.no/arrangement/index.php#35
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Now to him who is able to establish
you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made
known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that
all nations might believe and obey him – to the only wise God be glory for ever
through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:
25-27)