REGIONAL SECRETARIES OF WORLD METHODIST EVANGELISM MEET AT PILGRIM HALL BEFORE
THE WORLD METHODIST CONFERENCE
Fifteen regional secretaries as well as the officers and staff of World Methodist Evangelism met in a retreat, July 18-21, 2001 at the beautiful Christian Conference Center, Pilgrim Hall in Easons Green, Uckfield, England. The three-day retreat climaxed five years of ministry 1996-2001 of World Methodist Evangelism and featured reports on evangelism ministries from each of the regions served by the Regional Secretaries. See the Regional Secretaries page for current list of secretaries. In addition the regional secretaries and officers of World Evangelism heard reports and sharing from the staff. See World Evangelism Director page and World Evangelism Staff page.
Rev. Ken Anderson was installed as the new Regional Secretary for Australia. See Photo and News story on Ken Anderson.
Several regional secretaries told of their regions being awakened for the ministry of "wholistic evangelism." The Rev. Hans Vaxby of Northern Europe told the group "World Evangelism is an important instrument to help us regain our boldness and the courage to find new practices in evangelism." Bishop Dandala of Africa South expressed gratitude for "World Evangelism planting the seeds for the Methodist Churches in Africa working together."
One of the most moving moments of the retreat came during the Morning Prayers led by Regional Secretary Manase Tafea of the Kingdom of Tonga. During the devotional he shared a special "holy oil from the Millennium Island" for spouses to use in anointing and offering prayers for one another. Every person was deeply moved by the Holy Spirit through the dynamic moments of worship. See the news story on the Millennium events in Tonga and Samoa.
GOALS OF WORLD EVANGELISM
The theme for World Evangelism for the next five years as developed in the retreat is "Offering Christ TODAY!" Under this new theme, World Evangelism will continue to expand ministries in its four areas of primary emphasis:
- Multiplying the Witnesses
- Connecting Congregations for Christ
- Training Leaders in Evangelism
- Developing Resources for Evangelism
Undergirding the ministry of World Evangelism will be a strong encouragement to the Methodist people to follow the "Wesleyan pattern of prayer of fasting." A resolution was also passed by the World Methodist Council encouraging the Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting. See the Prayer and Fasting page for more information about the Wesleyan pattern of prayer and fasting and the Resources page to order special Prayer and Fasting Cards.
The Retreat set strategies in specific areas of ministry in World Evangelism. The hope is to expand the Order of the FLAME internationally and develop it in the various regions of World Evangelism. A major emphasis will continue to be expanded in training leaders and training in Faith-Sharing. A focus on the congregation as a "missionary congregation" is to be developed in different cultural contexts. A strong emphasis on the great commission as "presenting the gospel to the whole creation" through word, deed and sign through the power of the Holy Spirit will permeate the work of World Evangelism. This emphasis will climax in a worldwide simultaneous celebration of Pentecost - May 15, 2005, which will call the worldwide church to "Offer Christ TODAY!"
VISION OF WORLD EVANGELISM
The vision of World Evangelism is to see the Methodist Movement alive, vibrant, growing and yearning to spread around the world the good news of Christ Jesus through word, deed and sign. The Regional Secretaries and leaders in World Evangelism declared that together "we will go on in the power of the Holy Spirit in Offering Christ Jesus to the whole world."
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