More than two dozen leaders of significant global ministry networks convened in early December in New York City to combine their experience and insights toward the goal of Great Commission fulfillment within the next decade
Bill Wilson, Ph.D., president of Oral Roberts University, and Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church, were the hosts of the event. It brought together leaders representing significant denominations, parachurch networks and evangelistic ministries from around the world for prayer, connection and collaboration.
“I believe we are entering the most important decade of Great Commission effort in the history of the church,” Wilson said. “Numerous 2033 initiatives were represented in this consultation, and it was a joy to witness our shared passion and unity across the diversity of the body of Christ. The next decade is going to be amazing as we push together toward providing everyone on planet earth the opportunity to know Jesus as their savior.”
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The two-day meeting ended with the development of a commitment document agreeing to significant efforts over the next decade, including collaborating with one another, praying for the salvation of others, mobilizing followers of Jesus to join in the efforts, investing increased resources for evangelism and going with the good news to the ends of the earth.
“In our polarized world, it’s easy to erect walls and go it alone with just your own tribe,” Warren aid. “It takes courage to build bridges to others who love Jesus but don’t believe or practice the faith in the same way you do.
“On December 5, as I listened and watched a small group of 24 influential Christian leaders, representing a wide spectrum of the body of Christ, step out of their comfort zones in order to begin collaborating to complete the Great Commission, I sensed that God was smiling from heaven. He had found a group of people willing to be an answer to Jesus’ prayer for the unity of his church that He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before he was crucified.”
The group plans to convene again at a three-day conference and one-day stadium event sponsored by Empowered21 on June 21-24, 2023, at Amsterdam’s RAI & Olympic Stadium. The international event will feature influential leaders and powerful speakers to launch a decade of unprecedented evangelism to get the gospel to every person on earth by 2033. For more information, visit www.amsterdam2023.com.
–Dwight Widaman | MV