Participants: Gary Krause (Host), Ted Wilson, Keleber Goncalves
Series Code: GMS
Program Code: GMS000053
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00:01 On today's program sharing Jesus in a secular society.
00:05 Pastor Ted Wilson, 00:06 Seventh-day Adventist World church president 00:09 and a Messy Church in England all that 00:12 and much more coming up next on "Global Mission Snapshots." 00:27 Just before He went up to heaven, 00:29 Jesus gave us a command. 00:32 He gave us a mission. Jesus said, go. 00:38 Go unto all the world, telling them of His love. 00:42 This is our mission. This is our "Global Mission." 00:52 Hello, and welcome to Global Mission Snapshots, 00:55 I'm Gary Krause. 00:56 Today we will be talking with Pastor Ted Wilson 00:59 about a subject that's close to his heart 01:02 "Mission to the Cities." 01:03 We will also talk with Kleber Goncalves, 01:05 senior pastor of a ground breaking 01:08 rapidly growing church 01:10 in the heart of Sao Paulo, Brazil. 01:12 Dr. Goncalves is also director of the Global Mission's Center 01:16 for Secular and Postmodern Studies. 01:19 We will also visit a church in London, 01:21 England using the creative children's 01:23 church program called "Messy Church." 01:26 But, first stop let's travel to South America 01:29 to the country of Peru and meet Eva 01:32 a church planter who started a church 01:34 in her own town in part 01:37 because she just didn't want to travel 01:38 30 minutes by bus every Sabbath. 01:49 Along the coast of Peru, lies the town of Huanchaco. 01:54 Once a small beach town 01:55 with no Seventh-day Adventist community. 01:58 Huanchaco is now home to a growing congregation. 02:12 When Eva Sanchez moved here, 02:14 she longed for a church community. 02:17 Since the closest Seventh-day Adventist church 02:19 was more than a 30 minute bus ride away. 02:22 Eva took it upon herself to be a witness in her own town. 02:27 Eva found a small humble building to have meeting in 02:30 and invited the whole community to attend. 02:34 After seeing the effectiveness of the meetings 02:36 Eva realized the great need 02:38 for a church with in this community. 02:40 [speaking in foreign language] 02:52 With a growing interest from the people in Huanchaco, 02:55 Eva is still reaching out 02:56 to those searching for the light of Jesus. 02:59 Sometimes she walks great distances 03:01 to visit people in their homes 03:03 and develops lasting relationships 03:05 with those she reaches out to. 03:07 Her efforts have had great impact on her community. 03:11 [speaking in foreign language] 03:21 I shared the gospel because I'm thankful to God 03:25 because Jesus touched my heart 03:27 and I really feel the power of Jesus. 03:30 I want to continue to share the gospel. 03:33 Eva has finally found the church community 03:36 she longed for when she moved to Huanchaco. 03:39 As the numbers in this congregation continue to grow 03:43 their church building remains the same size. 03:46 They are hoping to expand their building 03:48 to fit the needs of the congregation. 03:51 The needs for this church 03:52 and many others around the world are great. 03:56 Please pray, for the faithful members in Huanchaco 03:59 that they may continue to grow 04:01 and be a light to their community. 04:03 And thank you, for your support of the mission 04:06 of the Seventh-day Adventist church. 04:18 It's my pleasure to introduce our guest 04:20 Pastor Ted Wilson, who is the president 04:22 of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. 04:25 Dr. Wilson, thank you for joining us. 04:27 Thank you so much, Gary. 04:28 One of the things that you have been talking a lot about 04:31 in recent years is mission to the cities. 04:34 Why is this so important? 04:36 Now, first of all that's where the people are. 04:39 About three, four years ago the actual balance 04:45 of where people live swung more into the city 04:50 and urban area than in the rural area. 04:52 So now there are more than 50% of the world's populations 04:55 they live in the metropolitan areas. 04:59 Within a few brief years if the Lord doesn't come 05:05 before then, probably about 70% 05:09 will be living in these urban areas. 05:11 So, it's a place that God has called us to go. 05:16 In fact, when you read in scripture 05:20 about Christ's own mission 05:24 and His own activities you read verses such as in, 05:29 in Matthew 9:35, 36 05:35 Jesus went about all the cities and villages. All right? 05:39 Yes, He went to the rural areas as well and of course 05:41 admittedly those cities were not huge at that time. 05:44 But, He went around to the cities and villages, 05:47 teaching, preaching, healing 05:50 and then it says in the next verse 36 05:53 when He saw the multitudes, so these were the-- 05:55 this large groups of people 05:57 He was moved with compassion on them. 06:00 They were like you know, sheep that didn't have a shepherd. 06:03 So, we need to use Christ's model 06:07 and Christ's example of reaching the people in these big cities, 06:11 touching them in ways that will help them respond 06:16 to the precious message that Jesus loves them, 06:20 that He is returning to take them home 06:22 and that He has special plans for their lives 06:25 and they needs to be part of telling somebody else. 06:27 So the cities have become a great theme for us now 06:32 and mission to the cities because number one 06:35 that's where the people are, we have been instructed 06:37 that we are to work in the cities 06:40 and that will require unusual methods 06:42 and more finances, personnel 06:46 but that God will bless as we follow in His example 06:49 just as He did to go into those cities and villages. 06:53 Dr. Wilson, early on you served as a-- 06:56 as a pastor in New York City. 06:58 How did that shape your outlook? 07:01 Well, I had the privilege of being a pastor 07:03 a little bit out of city on Long Island 07:05 and then working in the city 07:06 for about five years in special evangelistic activity 07:11 and that has indelibly changed the way 07:16 I look at cities and at our ministry 07:20 and the way in which we work for people. 07:24 You cannot live in a big city 07:26 and see those millions of people every day 07:29 and not be affected by the haunting question, 07:33 how many of them really know the Lord? 07:35 How are we gonna reach those people 07:37 with this precious message 07:40 the advent message that Jesus is coming, 07:42 the Three Angels Messages to help them to understand 07:45 that Christ righteousness has been provided for them 07:49 and that Christ is at the centre of everything 07:51 that we want to, to present. 07:55 It has changed my way of thinking 07:57 and obviously even now as I mean this particular role 08:02 I still have a great burden for the cities. 08:05 And happily God has provided so many others 08:11 who are catching that enthusiasm as well 08:15 and they see that we need to go where the people are 08:18 because those people are once for whom Christ died. 08:24 And if we are not showing compassion to them 08:27 and we are just focusing on the places 08:29 that we feel conformable with 08:32 we are not doing Christ's ministry. 08:36 Tell me about the plans that the church is putting 08:39 in place for city ministry around the world. 08:42 Well, first of all we like to call it 08:44 Comprehensive Urban Evangelism. 08:47 And by that it means something far greater than 08:50 just holding a public evangelistic meeting 08:53 which is certainly the combination of many actives 08:57 and in many places, still a very violable way to reach people. 09:01 However that's not the complete focus. 09:04 The Spirit of Prophecy is indicated to us 09:07 many ways in which to reach people in the cities. 09:11 You need to use everything from centers of influence 09:16 something which you are helping to champion, 09:18 which is a wonderful thing. 09:20 It could be a church, it could be a health centre, 09:22 it could be a reading room, it could be a place 09:24 where young people gather to then 09:27 go out and meet with others. 09:29 It could be all kinds of things, 09:31 many of those having to do perhaps with health. 09:35 Because comprehensive health ministry 09:38 which we are also promoting heavily now 09:41 and we are gonna be talking more about it. 09:43 It is a way in which to argument 09:47 the gospel messages called the right arm 09:50 to the gospel messages. 09:51 It's not the message but it's the right arm 09:53 and it's to help draw people into a loving relationship 09:57 with Christ meeting their needs. 09:59 But we are to use everything from door to door 10:02 visitation, to use of publications, 10:05 to having young people work, to having church members 10:09 involved in community outreach, 10:11 community services and Adventist community service 10:15 in general to help people in the areas, 10:19 to use integrated media evangelism 10:23 and of course a very strong health emphasis. 10:27 All of these things put together 10:29 are going to then faster contacts 10:32 and a kind of an integrated way 10:35 in which a comprehensive way, in which to bring people 10:38 into contact with vibrant genuine Seventh-day Adventists 10:43 and the Holy Spirit can use that 10:45 and then people can become part of the advent movement 10:49 because they see Jesus 10:50 in those who are ministering to them 10:53 following Christ methods. 10:55 So there are just all kinds of creative ways to try 10:57 and reach people in the cities 11:00 and you just need to get on your knees, pray 11:03 and ask the Lord to help you develop 11:05 something creative that's gonna touch a neighbor 11:08 or a community 11:10 and when you talk about a community 11:11 it could be just one apartment building in a big city. 11:13 Right, exactly. 11:15 Thank you so much, Pastor Wilson. 11:16 Viewers at home, if you are inspired 11:19 and challenged to do something about urban mission, 11:22 if you would like to be involved, 11:23 if you would like to learn more 11:25 just go to www.missiontothecities.org 11:29 There you will see about the range of actives 11:31 the church is involved in 11:32 and how you too can participate. 12:22 One of the biggest mission challenges 12:24 and opportunities facing the church 12:27 is what we call postmodernism. 12:29 And my guest Pastor Kleber Goncalves 12:31 has not only studied this phenomenon 12:34 but he is also ministering to this group of peoples. 12:37 So Kleber, thank you so much for joining us. My pleasure. 12:40 When we travel from Brazil to the Untied States, 12:42 specifically to study, to research 12:45 you are interested in postmodernism why? 12:49 Well I noticed in my ministry back in Brazil that 12:53 we are not being meaningful 12:56 and relevant to those along with us. 12:58 And then I started to study these trends. 13:01 What's going on with people's minds? 13:05 Right now, we face this paradigm shift 13:08 and actually even the definitions go postmodernism 13:11 which is something very difficult to us right now. 13:14 When you look at the literature, 13:16 you see out towards writable post, 13:19 postmodernism. Right, just to confuse. 13:21 Even in post, postmodernism 13:24 and actually the difference itself 13:27 is not something that we should be too concerned. 13:32 We are living this paradigm shift right now 13:35 and it's very hard for you to find something 13:37 when you are going through the process. 13:40 It's easier just look at the past 13:42 and then you can pin point's aspects. 13:44 But right now, we are going through this change. 13:46 People no longer guide by the pillars of the modern 13:50 type of thinking about reason, science, technology, 13:55 as the solution for all of our problems. 13:57 There are room, there is room right now for-- 14:02 turn there is some better emotions intuition 14:04 and how do we go about life 14:06 in these different type of context. 14:10 And one of the main issues I noticed 14:13 in something that it's a real wonderful opportunity for us 14:18 is the openness to the spiritual 14:21 and coincidental experiences. 14:24 It is something that we can see all over the place 14:27 but there is another issue that is important for us 14:30 to understand postmodernism has different phases in the world. 14:34 We cannot simply say that to some experience we face 14:37 and South America is the same thing 14:39 that goes here in US or in Europe 14:42 even though the main points or aspects are the same. 14:46 And one of the aspects is that there is a, 14:50 a disrespect for what used to be authority 14:54 figures that are served 14:56 before if the Bible said 14:57 it must be true postmodernism is a question then. 15:01 Of course, when you talk to the postmodern person 15:04 and something that's it's really, 15:06 it's clear every one who goes through the academic process 15:09 they leave the university any university saying that 15:12 truth is something relative about to what or to whom? 15:18 Your truth is different from my truth. 15:19 Exactly, because you built your truth 15:22 according to your feelings, 15:24 according to what you understand or want to like. 15:27 So it's hard to simple force 15:30 an external authority like the Bible upon themselves. 15:34 That's our challenge how can we show Christ 15:37 and the Bible as a alternative type of text 15:43 to someone who simply do not believe in this kind of stuff. 15:46 So it's like there is-- 15:47 almost like a buffet of different options 15:49 and people say, I have a little bit of eastern religion 15:51 I have a touch of Christianity 15:52 and I have a little bit of this and construct their own, right. 15:54 One of the characteristics of this era is pluralism. 15:58 You see they are open. 16:00 Well, let's me experience 16:01 and they try to pick a little bit of everything 16:05 and to see it will fits to their life's. 16:07 But, of course as you say this is an opportunity 16:10 for Christian Mission. 16:11 Sure, knowing the past I would say may be three, 16:13 four decades ago, the question people had is, 16:16 is there a God. 16:17 Today, that's no longer a question that has been asked. 16:21 People are asking which God, 16:22 because there are willing to experience 16:24 on little bit of eastern religions 16:26 from any type of spiritual experience. 16:29 So, it's a door that's right open to us right now. 16:33 So the secret is how to make a relevant 16:37 and a meaning approach to them 16:39 because they are looking for us something. 16:42 But I have been working with them for a several years 16:45 and I know that they need to have this strongest experience 16:48 with God for this reason. 16:50 Right, and so you are rubbing shoulders 16:52 with these people in your ministry 16:53 tell me of somebody who, who has been touched 16:57 to come from this sort of a mind set, 16:59 this sort of background has been touched 17:00 through the ministry of Nova Semente? 17:02 Well, we have had so many experiences 17:05 in through one ministry it's amazing Gary, 17:07 it's through our choir. 17:09 They come to church, they see the choir 17:11 and they want to participate. 17:13 And we have taken a decision as church. 17:16 We are willing to get and to receive people 17:19 who are not members in our church 17:21 and singing through the choir 17:23 so they can create friendship in that community 17:28 it's their family and that's being transformed 17:30 to that particular experience. 17:32 We have several people who have accepted Christ 17:35 through the music of ministry. 17:36 So they actually come they sit in the choir, 17:38 they make friends. 17:40 Now from what you are saying, 17:41 it seems to me that it's a very important first step 17:44 to get that sense of belonging. 17:46 Oh, sure and one thing that we have learned. 17:50 In order to reach in their hearts 17:55 we need to use a different approach 17:58 in which they can feel this is my family. 18:01 They come from broken relationships. 18:04 So we are simply open up our doors and so, 18:07 come as you are, let's live together 18:09 and then they understand how important is 18:12 to live this life with God with Christ, 18:14 you know to be changed 18:16 and to experience a new way of living. 18:19 Kleber, thank you so much for sharing with us today. 18:22 And viewers, if you want to find out more about mission 18:26 and ministry to secular and postmodern people 18:28 just visit www. secularandpostmodernstudies.org. 18:51 I've been working with Messy Church for five years now. 18:55 We started of very small as a small group of moms 18:57 and a few friends and over the last five years 19:01 it has grown to considerable size. 19:06 Estelle is a member of the Stanborough Park 19:08 Seventh-day Adventist Church in England. 19:11 She plays a key role in running a special program here. 19:15 This church has adopted 19:16 a program known as "Messy Church." 19:19 Messy Church was started by the Anglican Church 19:22 and then was adapted to fit the needs 19:24 of this Seventh-day Adventist congregation. 19:27 Messy Church is meant to reach out 19:29 to the community in a fun, interactive way. 19:33 Church members are encouraged to invite neighbors and friends 19:35 who may not normally attend church otherwise. 19:38 The programs are designed for children. 19:41 They do crafts, sing songs, 19:43 and find creative ways to teach the lessons from the Bible. 19:46 Each child is required to bring at least one adult along, 19:50 and the adults seem to have just as much fun as the kids. 20:00 The reactions that some people give-- 20:02 some people are overwhelmed with how many we have come. 20:06 We have between 200 and 250 20:08 that attend on a regular basis now each month. 20:11 And so, when they sign up to come throughout the month 20:14 they think that may be 20:15 it's just a group of 20 or 30 children and parents. 20:19 And when they realize that the whole church 20:20 has been taken over, with each room. 20:23 It can be a little overwhelming with the noise 20:25 and lots of children running around. 20:26 But they get excited and the kids get so thrilled 20:29 and excited to meet up with friends 20:31 and to take part in the activities together. 20:34 The activities are focused around Jesus. 20:37 Kids and adults alike 20:39 learn some of the valuable lessons from the Bible. 20:42 Messy Church meets only once a month 20:44 and the people who attend often come back 20:46 each month bringing friends along with them the next time. 20:53 Although it only meets only once a month, 20:54 dozens of church members are always busy planning 20:57 and preparing for the next meeting. 21:00 There are so many different ways the members can get involved. 21:03 I'm involved in a lot of music in the church 21:06 so when I got the opportunity to sing with the praise team 21:09 I said, yeah sure I'd be happy to. 21:11 I love working with kids 21:12 and I love being a part of entertainment. 21:14 So, that's been something 21:16 I've been doing for the past year 21:17 and I've really enjoyed it. 21:19 Here at Messy Church there's even a special meal 21:22 planned for the visitors to end the program. 21:24 They spend hours preparing this meal 21:26 for the crowd of visitors. 21:28 The church members work with open 21:30 and willing hearts. 21:45 To say my favorite part of Messy Church 21:47 is actually the organizing. 21:48 It does take time 21:50 but it's really exciting to put the menus together, 21:52 to try and find exciting ways 21:54 that we can link the theme for the month through the food 21:57 that we provide for those who come to visit. 21:59 Members like Michael find themselves 22:02 getting involved every time 22:04 because they love and believe 22:05 in this fun form of outreach. 22:07 For me personally, even though at the end of the day 22:11 I'm quite exhausted, I quite enjoy it. 22:14 I look forward to the next Messy Church. 22:17 The opportunity to socialize 22:19 and to see the people I've met in the past 22:21 but not only that, to see the smiles on the children, 22:25 to see the smiles on the actual families 22:27 and who come back and say hello to you. 22:30 I think, there seems to be something positive 22:33 that the church is doing via Messy Church. 22:36 Please pray for Messy Church 22:38 that it may continue to impact the people who come 22:41 and the church members who are involved. 22:44 Please pray that people will come 22:45 to know Jesus through this program. 22:47 Thank you, for your support of the mission 22:50 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 23:09 We often talk about 23:10 Global Mission pioneers on this program. 23:13 And over the years I had the privilege 23:14 of meeting many of these special people. 23:17 They are humble church members usually young people 23:20 who work with in their own cultures 23:22 to plant new groups of believers 23:24 in un-entered areas or people groups. 23:27 If you are interested in meeting some global mission pioneers 23:30 and learning more about their work 23:32 we have a very special offer. 23:34 It's a DVD that's 100 % devoted 23:38 to inspiring Global Mission Pioneer stories. 23:41 This is truly a wonderful resource. 23:43 It's a, it's an inspiring tribute 23:45 to these wonderful dedicated church members. 23:49 So if you live in North America just call our toll free number 23:52 that's 1-800-648-5824 23:56 or you can visit our website at anytime AdventistMission.org 24:00 and ask for the Global Mission pioneer DVD 24:04 or offer number 310. 24:07 Don't forget clearly state your name and address 24:11 and ask for the pioneer DVD. 24:14 So, on behalf Adventist missionaries, 24:16 pastors, teachers, 24:18 Global Mission pioneers serving around the world, 24:21 thank you so much 24:22 for your continuing prayers and support of mission. 24:26 That's it for today's program 24:27 and I'll leave you with this music video. 24:30 Until next time 24:31 I'm Gary Krause for Global Mission, God bless. 24:48 This is my Father's world 24:55 And to my listening ears 25:01 All nature sings, and round me rings 25:09 The music of the spheres 25:26 This is my Father's world 25:32 The birds their carols raise 25:39 The morning light, the lily white 25:47 Declare their maker's praise 25:53 This is my Father's world 26:00 I rest me in the thought 26:07 Of rocks and trees, to skies and seas 26:14 His hand the wonders wrought 26:31 This is my Father's world 26:38 Oh, let me never forget 26:44 That though the wrong seems oft so strong 26:51 God is the ruler yet 26:58 This is my Father's world 27:05 The battle is not done 27:12 Jesus Who died shall be satisfied 27:20 And earth and Heav'n be one 27:26 This is my Father's world 27:33 The battle is not done 27:39 Jesus Who died shall be satisfied 27:47 And earth and Heaven be one |
Revised 2014-12-17