During the week of September 25-29, 2011, members of the International Council, Executive Council of Eighteen and Advisory Council met together to chart the future vision of the Church of God.
By H. Lynn Stone
International, Council of Eighteen and Advisory Council pose for a historic photo.
The convening of the Church of God International Council is one of the most exciting leadership events occurring between the biennial General Assemblies. Key leaders from across the world meet together for three exhilarating days of passionate testimonies and creative vision-casting for the Church of God. Coming together are key representatives of the Church of God from North, Central, and South America; the islands of the Caribbean; Africa and South Africa; Europe and the Middle East; and, Asia and the Far East. When they begin to share their inspiring stories of Great Commission miracles occurring in these last days, the glory of the Lord “fills the house.”
Because this is the 125-year celebration of the Church of God, General Overseer Raymond F. Culpepper also invited the Advisory Council—composed of former Executive Committee members—to meet with the International Council and the Executive Council. This first-time meeting of all three councils truly was an historical event. The stated function of the International Council is, “to advise the International Executive Council on issues of international concern and to suggest possible items related to ministry in the international community for inclusion on the agenda of the International General Council” (Minutes, 2010, p. 82).
Therefore, international items were appropriately discussed, deliberated, and recommended to be considered for the General Assembly agenda. These included the digitizing of the ministerial credentialing process and bringing the tenure of national overseers into conformity with that of state/regional overseers in the United States. But more exciting were the visional discussions of how the Church of God can be actively engaged in reaching the “4-14 Window” (identified by missiologists as being children between the ages of 4 and 14); and, be more effectively engaged in urban evangelization, evangelization of transnational citizens, and unreached people groups.
However, the highlight of this historical event was the pervading theme—“The Mission Field Is Becoming a Mission Force.” World Missions Director Doug LeRoy succinctly described the transformational change occurring in Church of God World Missions. “For the first time in our history, the rest of the world now sends out more missionaries than the United States.”
It was indeed thrilling to hear that the Guatemala Church of God is now sending out missionary families to Spain, Mexico, and Asia; and, that the churches in Argentina sponsor missionaries in France, Bulgaria, Thailand, India, and Italy. Just as exciting were the stories from Asia where the Philippines have at least 100 self-supporting missionaries throughout the world and the Chinese church has adopted a “Business as Missions” model of missionary ministry. Instead of planting churches, they are planting Chinese restaurants. The Chinese Church of God “house church” leaders have an intentional vision of sending 100,000 missionaries westward and conduct specific, ongoing training to create the strategies to accomplish this vision.
May the entire International Church of God join the refrain, led by Dr. Culpepper, that echoed time and again throughout this momentous gathering—“Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
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H. Lynn Stone, D. Min., is administrative liaison to the general overseer for the Church of God.