A Call to Evangelism
Thu, 07 Jun 2007 - 10:48 AM CST
Assemblies of God leaders have emphasized worldwide evangelism in every General Council since 1914. This year's Council is no exception. The Friday evening service on August 10 will focus on world evangelization and officially introduce the 2007-2008 missions theme — "Everywhere"— based on Acts 1:8. The event will feature a message by L. John Bueno, Assemblies of God World Missions executive director. World missionaries dressed in national costumes will carry the flags of the nations they represent and will be presented along with U.S. and youth missionaries.
Through the innovation of fiber-optic connections, thousands of AG youth gathered in the RCA Dome will link with those gathered in the Conseco Field House, enabling joint participation in both services. Youth and adults will be challenged to reach their world for Christ.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus gave a clear command for worldwide evangelism. His disciples were to spread the gospel first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, Samaria and throughout the world. As 21st century Christians, we also are responsible to follow Christ's commands and take the good news of the Kingdom to the four corners of the earth.
Back to Basics
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Flag ceremony at the 2005 General Council
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Statisticians estimate that 26 percent of the world's population — representing nearly 2 billion people — has never had a clear presentation of the gospel. Millions more have daily access to the message but are lost. "We must get back to basics and focus on evangelism," says David Lee, director of AGWM U.S. Relations. "Our Fellowship was birthed with a heart for evangelism. We are asking the Holy Spirit to call adults and youth — those with credentials and laypersons — to evangelism."
During the service, General Superintendent Thomas Trask will challenge every Assemblies of God church to join missionaries and go "Everywhere" to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bethesda Community Church choir and orchestra from Fort Worth, Texas, under the direction of J. Daniel Smith, will present selections from this year's missions musical. World missionary candidates will participate in a choir directed by Cindy Sites, missionary to Northern Asia.
Missionary Commissioning Service
Following the evening message, John Bueno and Alton Garrison, executive director of U.S. Missions, will present missionary candidates to the congregation. Jay Mooney, director of AG youth ministries, will introduce 500 teens commissioned to take the gospel to high school campuses. Superintendent Trask will address the candidates from 2 Timothy 4:1-8 and offer the commissioning prayer.
A Senders Fund offering will be received to assist candidate missionaries in their efforts to get to their field of ministry. The service will be broadcast on the Inspiration Network and will be available on the Internet.
Miriam Testasecca, AGWM Editorial Coordinator
