Hope For the World Through Global Church Relationships

How often do we reflect on the joyous reality that, when each of us accepts Jesus as Savior, we are welcomed into a global community of faith? We follow a Savior who delights in being worshipped by myriad cultures. Participating in World Assembly was a rich reminder of the global church community—a powerful community of which we are a part, whether or not we’re able to interact personally with our brothers and sisters across the globe.

This unity is not only a beautiful gift from God, but one that empowers others to believe! Jesus’s prayer in John 17 highlights that our unity with each other in Christ will be a witness of the Truth. This unity of faith among diverse languages, cultures, theologies, and personalities is sharpened and cultivated through the relationships developed through our IFES partnership and at World Assembly. We were inspired by World Assembly 19’s conference theme, Messengers of Hope, which encouraged us to understand that the same message of hope enlivens every culture, every community, and every campus.

The speakers rooted their content in Scripture passages from Luke and Acts with a focus on the overarching journey of the disciples on their way to Emmaus. Just as the disciples were walking with each other and trying to discern their situation in relation to who Christ said he was, we too are to walk with each other, wrestling with our world realities and seeking to see how Jesus enlightens them. We can trust that Jesus will join us in the same way—reframing our view of the world with His message of hope.

At the World Assembly, visual and performing arts enriched the topics presented, beautifully displaying the way people respond to truth with their senses as well as their minds—emphasizing the important role of the arts in spiritual formation. Throughout the week, a collage of paintings representing the journey of the Emmaus disciples and their reflected counterparts—us—were placed in the central tent.

At a gathering like World Assembly, we are especially attuned to seeking God’s presence through his people. Through God’s people and their stories, I could see Him working in the world. Our IFES brothers and sisters live their stories in God’s Story. A student leader in Hong Kong is bringing Christ’s message of hope and peace through art in a city facing so much turbulence. [1] A student from the Sri Lankan movement (FOCUS) organized a program of remembrance after the Easter bombings where one of its members was killed. At the national level, FOCUS initiated a pact with the Muslim student movement to seek forgiveness for the wrongs done to one another and work together for peace.[2] These students and many more exemplify how IFES students are engaged messengers of Jesus’s hope and peace.

To become an engaged messenger, one must have a personal encounter with Jesus. Encounters with Jesus are deeply intimate. The Emmaus disciples journeyed with him and shared a meal together. These intimate encounters led to a deeper understanding of Him which reframed their way of thinking and living in the world. This is true for us as well. The incarnational witness of Christ is powerful and transformative. At World Assembly, we had the opportunity to gather together as global disciples to walk together, share meals, and worship the Savior. We left transformed.

As the world is increasingly globalized, intimate encounters between members and communities of the global church are even more significant. True global partnership is vital in addressing the difficult theological challenges within our globalized societies. A Christ-like posture of vulnerability and humility is essential so that we can have unity as the global church. While the global church can and should gather together to address issues, we must not neglect the fact that drawing together for the glory and reflection of God is our ultimate purpose. We glorify Him by tackling these issues, but one of the greatest treasures is having the opportunity to see His beauty reflected in the lives of His followers across the globe.

The same resurrected Savior who engaged the disciples on the way to Emmaus is the same Savior who meets us in our difficulties and confusion. This Hope doesn’t blithely skip over our trials and disappointments. In fact, World Assembly speakers acknowledged the shared pain of the effects of colonization on theology. We lamented over the history and issues that continue to affect our brothers and sisters within the Majority World Church.

While there was cause for lamentation, there was also cause for rejoicing. At World Assembly, I was deeply moved by the testimonies of newly affiliated movements including movements from three Caribbean countries. All began through prayerful relationships and connections with other Caribbean IFES (CARIFES) movements.

GFM has been richly blessed through the partnership with CARIFES. As GFM discerns its corners in the 2030 calling, we can be inspired by our CARIFES friends who have planted in untouched corners and countries. God is glorified through the ways we learn from one another. As we continue our partnership with CARIFES, let us pray for our CARIFES brothers and sisters as they encounter a change of leadership. Let us pray for Marc Pulvar and other CARIFES leaders as they seek the Holy Spirit in discerning ministry directions.

You can learn a lot about the heart of an organization through its history. Before IFES became official, its independent movements gathered together in prayer of what would become a global network of university campus fellowships. IFES history is steeped in prayer and Scripture encourages us to be in prayer for one another. With this in mind, we plan to lead our partnership with prayerful relationship—a relationship that grows towards each other as we grow towards God. We are trusting that through these prayer-filled relationships, GFM and CARIFES will partner together to bring glory to God.

Christ’s message of Hope is transformative throughout the world. This Hope results in Kingdom cultivation of shalom—renewal and restoration of individuals, communities, and creation—as we walk together in relationship with the global church.