Christian Leaders Strategize to Reach 2 Billion People
Hundreds of Christian leaders from around the world gathered this week in Florida to brainstorm strategies on how to reach the more than two billion people who do not know Jesus.
The Call2All North American Global Congress, Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, convened more than 500 pastors, organizational presidents/CEOs, and ministry leaders at the megachurch Northland Church in Longwood, Fla., to pull together ideas and resources with the aim of sharing the Gospel with everyone in the world.
Call2All is a movement organized by the Global Pastors Network – which was founded by the late Campus Crusade for Christ founder, Bill Bright – to bring together the evangelistic efforts of Christian organizations, denominations, agencies, as well as key business, civic and educational leaders to complete the great commission.
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"With the same Lord, and the same cause and the same world, we have to work together to reach the lost," said Lynn Green, international chairman of Youth with a Mission, on the first day of the congress.
Global Pastors Network President Mark Anderson, the convener of the congress, reminded the leaders that before talking about strategies, the Congress needed to start with a "commitment to holiness, integrity and purity."
Dr. James Robinson of Life Today TV ministry specifically addressed the need for "Sexual Purity," especially with recent high-profile scandals involving Christian leaders. And Larry Stockstill, senior pastor of World Prayer Centre, gave a message titled "The 5 dysfunctions of the North American Church."
Several youth ministry leaders gave an update on the status of the Gospel and challenged participants to focus on the youth.
On Wednesday, the Rev. Bobby Welch, immediate former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, emphasized that church leaders and their congregations must make winning souls the priority.
"Hell is no joke," Welch said, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "Hell is a horrible reality. Hell lasts forever. Any person that misses heaven will go to hell eternally. There must be a wholesale revival."
Later that evening, participants were introduced to the latest technological tools for mission. The program also highlighted the global prayer movements that are taking place around the world where tens of thousands gather for prayer events each year.
The Congress was open to the public for the first three days, but will hold closed round table discussions on Friday.
Following the Congress, a prayer movement named "The Call" will take place at Silver Spurs Arena in Florida on Saturday. The Call is a prayer, worship and fasting movement geared towards young people.
Leaders who spoke at the Congress included well-known evangelist Luis Palau, Foursquare Church president and bestselling author Jack Hayford, Campus Crusade for Christ president Steve Douglass; and Northland Church senior pastor Dr. Joel Hunter.
This week's gathering is the first of 40 congresses that will be held in different regions of the world in the next three years.
