Europe 2021: new mission report out
Iain Taylor
Date posted: 1 Sep 2021
Covid-19 is an opportunity for European mission agencies to reflect deeply once again on the meaning of mission in today’s world.
One of the key questions it raises is whether it has made sense to have invested so heavily in huge buildings, since social distancing restrictions have forced many churches to think about how to make small gatherings work, not just big ones.
Zambia: a call to mission answered
Iain Taylor
Date posted: 1 Sep 2021
Four years ago, the Bullock family left the familiarity and security of the UK to serve God cross-culturally in Zambia with Operation Mobilisation. Dan is Field Leader, responsible for all OM’s missionaries in Zambia, as well as its local workers. Ruth is a physiotherapist working to train people with disabilities.
Writer Ivy Chiu spoke to Dan and Ruth about why they took such a bold step.
Evangelism Now: ten key truths outlined
Iain Taylor
Date posted: 1 Nov 2021
‘Evangelism
in a time of crisis’ was the
theme of the 2021 Evangelism Conference,
entitled ‘Evangelism Now’, held at All Soul’s
Langham Place.
Rico Tice set out the three key principles
of evangelism: it must be based on God’s
sovereignty; the gospel must be presented
with both integrity and truth; there must be
no deception in how we operate.
Vietnamese evangelicals find favour
Iain Taylor
Date posted: 1 Oct 2021
Evangelical Christians and the Vietnamese Government appear to have learnt from past mistakes – and their joint response to a recent coronavirus outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City has highlighted the benefits of prompt co-operation.
After some students at the Evangelical Church of Vietnam South’s Institute of Bible and Theology developed coughs and fevers last summer, church authorities immediately called the government health department. Tests revealed that 290 of the 306 students and staff on the campus had Covid-19. The authorities immediately quarantined the campus and sent in a medical team. Two Christian doctors and five volunteers of a Christian student fellowship also entered the campus to serve the sick. The 15 who needed hospital treatment included the Dean of Students, pastor Nguyen An Thai, and his wife.
British Christians helping Afghan refugees
Iain Taylor
Date posted: 1 Oct 2021
As UK Christians consider how they might help the sudden influx of refugees from Afghanistan, one church leader with extensive experience of mission to Muslims has warned that the overwhelming majority of evangelical churches will not see any asylum seekers placed anywhere near them by the government.
Stephen Kneale (photo left) of Oldham Bethel Church says: ‘Most of these asylum seekers are open to Christianity. We already welcome many Afghani refugees who are, typically, very receptive to a gospel that is demonstrably different to what they left behind. Dozens of those we have witnessed to have put their faith in Christ.
Final blows to Zacharias organisation
Iain Taylor
Date posted: 1 Sep 2021
Two new developments in the past few days
appear to hasten the final demise of Ravi
Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM).
Firstly, a number of donors in the USA
have filed a complaint in a Georgia federal
court,
claiming
that
the
organisation
covered up
its founder’s abusive conduct.
They allege
they were misled
to believe
that
their donations were being used
to
promote
‘Christian evangelism, apologetic
defence of Christianity, and humanitarian
efforts.’ However,
the donors claim
they
were misinformed as they were told there
was no evidence of abuse; instead ‘Zacharias
was a prolific sexual predator who used his
ministry and RZIM
funds
to perpetrate
sexual and spiritual abuse against women’.
Joel Edwards dies aged 70
Iain Taylor
Date posted: 1 Aug 2021
Joel Edwards has died from cancer aged 70. The first black man to lead the Evangelical Alliance (EA), he leaves behind an inspiring legacy of unity in diversity, social engagement and Christ-centred service.
After serving as a probation officer and as a pastor in east London, Joel became the General Secretary of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, where he worked to show the transforming power of Christ in communities, bring predominantly black churches together, and build bridges between the organisation and UK churches.