WEC's vision is to see 1200 new workers join us, to see Churches established amongst 33 of the least reached people groups, in 180 new locations around the world ... All over the next 8 years!!! - What kind of people do we need to join us in fulfilling this vision?
CT Studd the founder of WEC wrote of the following qualities of people who should think of joining the work of WEC International some 75 years ago ...
People gripped by a vision (Rev 5:9) - not people interested in a theory.
People apprehended by Christ - not people employed by a mission.
People hungry for a fight - not people gorged with educational schemes
People who will obey to the uttermost - not people who wish to "do what they can"!
This has not changed, and whilst it might sound fanatical, these words really only describe the level of passion and commitment that Jesus expects from all His disciples, whether or not they become missionaries ... The need for people like this is still real and the challenge of the task to be completed is still great.
In the recently published Operation World what bottom line facts can be gleaned from the wealth of research material? (If you want to buy a copy, and I strongly recommend you do if you are serious about praying for the world, then please go to http://www.wec-int.org.uk/shop/index.php?keyword=Operation+world&Search=Search&Itemid=1&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse)
Evangelical Christianity grew at a rate faster than any other world religion or global religious movement. Evangelicals numbered 89 million (2.9%) in 1960, but by 2010 they were 546 million (7.9%). BUT Of the world’s 16,350 people groups, 6,645 are counted in the Least Reached/Unreached category (less than 2% Christian) – 40.6% of all peoples. The majority of the least reached are last to hear the gospel precisely because they are the most isolated from witnessing Christians and the most difficult to reach. Few of the 6,645 least reached peoples have no known Christians amongst them.
Yet, we believe that the Great Commission is not merely an ideal to aspire toward, but an achievable command given by the Lord. In those passages in the Bible where God calls His people to action, including the commissioning of the Church in Acts 1:8, it is accompanied by assurances of God’s power and authority and the very real presence of the Holy Spirit.
The scale of the task before us is matched only by the greatness of the God who promises to accompany and empower us. So as we face the challenges, we also recognise the need to be individuals and fellowships who nurture and encourage faith-filled responses to those challenges.
Psalm 84:5-7 says;
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.t
7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Pilgrimage is the absolute desire to pursue Christ and obedience to His leading, a relentless determination to know and serve the Living God!
CH Spurgeon wrote "the blessings of pilgrimage belong not to the half-hearted and listless but to those who throw their energies into it!"
Are we expectant to bring refreshing to the nations, as we step out on our pilgrimage, or journey of faith?
- Press on!
Follow me on twitter @johnbagg
CT Studd the founder of WEC wrote of the following qualities of people who should think of joining the work of WEC International some 75 years ago ...
People gripped by a vision (Rev 5:9) - not people interested in a theory.
People apprehended by Christ - not people employed by a mission.
People hungry for a fight - not people gorged with educational schemes
People who will obey to the uttermost - not people who wish to "do what they can"!
This has not changed, and whilst it might sound fanatical, these words really only describe the level of passion and commitment that Jesus expects from all His disciples, whether or not they become missionaries ... The need for people like this is still real and the challenge of the task to be completed is still great.
In the recently published Operation World what bottom line facts can be gleaned from the wealth of research material? (If you want to buy a copy, and I strongly recommend you do if you are serious about praying for the world, then please go to http://www.wec-int.org.uk/shop/index.php?keyword=Operation+world&Search=Search&Itemid=1&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse)
Evangelical Christianity grew at a rate faster than any other world religion or global religious movement. Evangelicals numbered 89 million (2.9%) in 1960, but by 2010 they were 546 million (7.9%). BUT Of the world’s 16,350 people groups, 6,645 are counted in the Least Reached/Unreached category (less than 2% Christian) – 40.6% of all peoples. The majority of the least reached are last to hear the gospel precisely because they are the most isolated from witnessing Christians and the most difficult to reach. Few of the 6,645 least reached peoples have no known Christians amongst them.
Yet, we believe that the Great Commission is not merely an ideal to aspire toward, but an achievable command given by the Lord. In those passages in the Bible where God calls His people to action, including the commissioning of the Church in Acts 1:8, it is accompanied by assurances of God’s power and authority and the very real presence of the Holy Spirit.
The scale of the task before us is matched only by the greatness of the God who promises to accompany and empower us. So as we face the challenges, we also recognise the need to be individuals and fellowships who nurture and encourage faith-filled responses to those challenges.
Psalm 84:5-7 says;
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.t
7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Pilgrimage is the absolute desire to pursue Christ and obedience to His leading, a relentless determination to know and serve the Living God!
CH Spurgeon wrote "the blessings of pilgrimage belong not to the half-hearted and listless but to those who throw their energies into it!"
Are we expectant to bring refreshing to the nations, as we step out on our pilgrimage, or journey of faith?
- Press on!
Follow me on twitter @johnbagg
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