4 Dec 2024, 13:26Dr Jeff Couzins
‘Equipping Disciples for Mission’: Reflecting Hope Training Weekend
The British Union Conference has responded to the General Conference’s ‘Christ for Europe’ call by crafting a distinctive three-year evangelistic programme for our territory, dubbed ‘Reflecting Hope’. This initiative marks a significant shift in our approach to evangelism, transitioning from isolated events to a continuous, cyclical lifestyle approach.
Around 280 Seventh-day Adventist members and church leaders from the British Union Conference gathered for the Reflecting Hope Training Weekend at Hinckley Island, 22-24 November. The host for the weekend was the BUC Evangelism Department, led by Pastor Augustus Lawrence and his team.
With a dynamic set of presenters, an insightful devotional speaker, and inspirational praise and worship, the weekend offered a transformational experience for those in attendance.
The weekend’s main presenters, including Pastor Michael Lewis, Associate Director for the North American Division Evangelism Institute; Dr Gifford Rhamie, Senior Visiting Lecturer at Newbold College of Higher Education; and Pastor Daniel Ebenezer, Associate Director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries at the General Conference, were complemented by a host of British Union directors and Pastor Dusanka Rancic, Editor at the Stanborough Press, who delivered the devotional address.
Pastor Lewis’s presentations, particularly his insights on reaching unchurched and secular individuals, left a lasting impression on the audience. His session on ‘The Basics of Soul Winning’ went beyond mere methods, delving into the essence of a soul-winning lifestyle. The key takeaway was that confining evangelism to activities that feel unnatural and impersonal can breed spiritual insecurity and relegate members to mere spectators.
Pastor Lewis emphasised that our value as workers for Jesus does not depend on mastering methods but on being faithful to our God-given commission. He highlighted that Jesus affirmed different outreach methods, and when our passion marries with our witness, we can reach people who might be beyond our traditional methods. As such, it can lead to people being blessed through our initiatives, coming to believe in Jesus, and feeling like they belong. This is achieved through developing a ‘missional footprint’.
Our missional footprints result in developing an accepting environment where people can safely ask challenging questions. This environment then allows people to connect with Jesus, feel blessed by the Spirit of God, and believe they belong. This, in turn, cultivates an atmosphere of discipleship.
Dr Rhamie’s insights on introducing Bible studies to secular people resonated with many present. He spoke about the ‘hook, book, look, and took’. The ‘hook’ attracts people to the Bible by choosing a relevant topic. The ‘book’ is the Bible, and we bridge from the ‘hook’ to the ‘book’ through Spirit-led discussion. The ‘look’ is when people find relevance and interest in the Bible, and the term ‘took’ describes what happens when the person accepts the Word of God.
Pastor Ebenezer reflected on how he was brought up in a spiritual context in a country different from the UK. This was a familiar story to many of his audience. He now finds himself ministering in a secular context, which requires a different approach to mission, observing that mission today needs to be discipleship-focused rather than event-driven. Campaigns are good when they follow in the wake of adequate groundwork.
Pastor Ebenezer went on to share some present truths, such as the following: “A missionary spirit among migrants is the most wanted need of the time.” Another truth is that “the absence of mission is a mark of false spirituality.” Worshipping without witnessing turns members into spectators and consumers, whereas disciples are contributors to the life and witness of the church. We would all benefit if we understood that the number of baptisms should not be the measure of the growth of the church but the number of active disciples.
Those present were also blessed by video presentations of Christ’s method in action in the Welsh Mission and reports of other activities around the Union from the Scottish Mission, Irish Mission, South England Conference, and North England Conference (NEC).
Additionally, Michael Garkov (ASI UK) talked about mobile phone evangelism. This modern approach to ministry uses digital platforms like social media to connect with individuals in need of spiritual support. By sharing the real-life stories that emphasised the power of this ministry, Garkov demonstrated how this technology could serve as a bridge to connect individuals to Christ.
On Saturday evening, a Q&A session became a very emotional experience that continued on Sunday morning when Dr Gina Miller, NEC Women’s Ministries and Sabbath School Director, led praise, thanksgiving and a much-needed prayer session.
“We must continue having open and honest conversations in a safe environment. If we want to work together as a team, reflect hope, and reach people for Christ, we need to trust and support each other,” said one attendee. “I am glad that I took part in this training weekend,” he continued, “because this was a moving, inspiring and uplifting experience for me.”
The British Union Conference has responded to the General Conference’s ‘Christ for Europe’ call by crafting a distinctive three-year evangelistic programme for our territory, dubbed ‘Reflecting Hope’. This initiative marks a significant shift in our approach to evangelism, transitioning from isolated events to a continuous, cyclical lifestyle approach.
Around 280 Seventh-day Adventist members and church leaders from the British Union Conference gathered for the Reflecting Hope Training Weekend at Hinckley Island, 22-24 November. The host for the weekend was the BUC Evangelism Department, led by Pastor Augustus Lawrence and his team.
With a dynamic set of presenters, an insightful devotional speaker, and inspirational praise and worship, the weekend offered a transformational experience for those in attendance.
The weekend’s main presenters, including Pastor Michael Lewis, Associate Director for the North American Division Evangelism Institute; Dr Gifford Rhamie, Senior Visiting Lecturer at Newbold College of Higher Education; and Pastor Daniel Ebenezer, Associate Director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries at the General Conference, were complemented by a host of British Union directors and Pastor Dusanka Rancic, Editor at the Stanborough Press, who delivered the devotional address.
Pastor Lewis’s presentations, particularly his insights on reaching unchurched and secular individuals, left a lasting impression on the audience. His session on ‘The Basics of Soul Winning’ went beyond mere methods, delving into the essence of a soul-winning lifestyle. The key takeaway was that confining evangelism to activities that feel unnatural and impersonal can breed spiritual insecurity and relegate members to mere spectators.
Pastor Lewis emphasised that our value as workers for Jesus does not depend on mastering methods but on being faithful to our God-given commission. He highlighted that Jesus affirmed different outreach methods, and when our passion marries with our witness, we can reach people who might be beyond our traditional methods. As such, it can lead to people being blessed through our initiatives, coming to believe in Jesus, and feeling like they belong. This is achieved through developing a ‘missional footprint’.
Our missional footprints result in developing an accepting environment where people can safely ask challenging questions. This environment then allows people to connect with Jesus, feel blessed by the Spirit of God, and believe they belong. This, in turn, cultivates an atmosphere of discipleship.
Dr Rhamie’s insights on introducing Bible studies to secular people resonated with many present. He spoke about the ‘hook, book, look, and took’. The ‘hook’ attracts people to the Bible by choosing a relevant topic. The ‘book’ is the Bible, and we bridge from the ‘hook’ to the ‘book’ through Spirit-led discussion. The ‘look’ is when people find relevance and interest in the Bible, and the term ‘took’ describes what happens when the person accepts the Word of God.
Pastor Ebenezer reflected on how he was brought up in a spiritual context in a country different from the UK. This was a familiar story to many of his audience. He now finds himself ministering in a secular context, which requires a different approach to mission, observing that mission today needs to be discipleship-focused rather than event-driven. Campaigns are good when they follow in the wake of adequate groundwork.
Pastor Ebenezer went on to share some present truths, such as the following: “A missionary spirit among migrants is the most wanted need of the time.” Another truth is that “the absence of mission is a mark of false spirituality.” Worshipping without witnessing turns members into spectators and consumers, whereas disciples are contributors to the life and witness of the church. We would all benefit if we understood that the number of baptisms should not be the measure of the growth of the church but the number of active disciples.
Those present were also blessed by video presentations of Christ’s method in action in the Welsh Mission and reports of other activities around the Union from the Scottish Mission, Irish Mission, South England Conference, and North England Conference (NEC).
Additionally, Michael Garkov (ASI UK) talked about mobile phone evangelism. This modern approach to ministry uses digital platforms like social media to connect with individuals in need of spiritual support. By sharing the real-life stories that emphasised the power of this ministry, Garkov demonstrated how this technology could serve as a bridge to connect individuals to Christ.
On Saturday evening, a Q&A session became a very emotional experience that continued on Sunday morning when Dr Gina Miller, NEC Women’s Ministries and Sabbath School Director, led praise, thanksgiving and a much-needed prayer session.
“We must continue having open and honest conversations in a safe environment. If we want to work together as a team, reflect hope, and reach people for Christ, we need to trust and support each other,” said one attendee. “I am glad that I took part in this training weekend,” he continued, “because this was a moving, inspiring and uplifting experience for me.”
