Impact World Tour breakfast with Mark Anderson

The impact world tour is a move to seek to encounter the emerging generation with the Gospel in a focussed manner. Think about this 80% of all people who come to faith are under the age of 18, yet 93% of the Church's resources are spent on people over the age of 45! This is a scary indictment on the Church! So, the question is 'what does it take to reach this generation?', and 'what will be the Church models going forward'

The central idea is:

1. Engage young people in a 'life shift' with the Gospel. So the key is not to 'join' anything (although every person who comes to faith in Christ is followed up by pre-trained local Christians).

2. Do this in a very strategic manner. So the outreach methods are targetted by age, culture, context etc. (so extreme sports for kids, rock bands for teens etc.)

3. Ensure that the content of the presentation of the Gospel is engaging and relevant (not just experience based, but truly addressing the real needs of the individual and the community).

4. Train local Christians and Church communities to effectively disciple every person who comes to faith in Christ!

For more details please see http://www.impactworldtour.com

The intention is to start with the outreach in 2009.

Think of this analogy - the evangelistic movements (such as these) are like the lumberjacks who move into a forest with chainsaws and cut down the large trees. However, once those logs have been cut down they need to be shaped, formed, and made useful. So, someone needs to cut the trees into logs, get them to lumber yards, then further work them into planks for houses, wood for tables, chairs, and even some for 'toothpicks'!

One needs evangelists (lumberjacks), one needs transporters and lumber yard builders (Church planters and growers), and then disciplers (pulpit and marketplace ministers who equip and grow people for their God given ministry). Of course there are also some people like Mark Anderson (the tall guy in the beige sports coat) and Graham Power (to his right in a blue sweater) who are 'project managers'.

I would encourage you to pray about getting on board with this incredible work! It is a YWAM (Youth with a mission) project.

Have a blessed day!

Comments

[Beryl Donkin]

Dear Dion. When I read your points 1-4 I felt my heart cramping and my spirit weeping. It grieves me that a special initiative needs to be put in place for the church to do what the church should be doing anyway. It is a great sadness that young people feel unwelcome and excluded from many of our denominations because 'church' is perceived to be something for adults to do and be active in. It is not wonder that the youth look for places of welcome, acceptance, and where they are valued and not criticised and held in suspicion. Oh for a mighty wave of the Spirit to wake up the complacent and cultural Christians! Bless you for the work that you are doing, and bless those with whom you work, network and interact. Love to Megan and family. Beryl Donkin