What an AMAZING day! Due to weather Charis and I were not able to make it to Robben Island on Thursday where Nelson Mandela was held in political prison. We took the early morning tour of the island was given to us by an actual former political prisoner. So many thoughts of the lengths of persecution that people are willing to go through for something they passionately believe. Obviously, they were in bad conditions, eating to survive, sleeping on concrete floors, and doing hard labor.
The final day of the conference was wonderful. Our very own Ben Wang had the opportunity to pray before the entire congress in a plenary. We had a fun US delegation meeting where they announced a US follow up that church leaders are invited to, not limiting the attendance to Lausanne attendees only. It will be held in Orlando on April 4-7 if you are interested in joining.
The closing ceremonies were magical. The worship and atmosphere was "chill-bumps" inducing. Over 200 nations were represented and over 4,000 people united in song and prayer. Probably the most diverse worship I will ever experience this side of heaven. Our very own Esther Wang read the New Testament reading and Charis captured some great photos of her that I hope we can post when we return and I have it on video.
We are headed back now and it has been such a neat experience as the majority of our planes are filled with Lausanne attendees. Beside me on my first leg (in coach of course) I sat next to John Huffman who is the Chairman of the Board for Christianity Today, and behind me was Lindsey Brown who gave the closing ceremony sermon. Great conversations and hopes for the future.
Stay tuned for picture post and closing thoughts from Ron, Ben and Esther, and myself.
Duffy
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Largest Obstacle to the Gospel...
Chris Wright gave a great challenge to us yesterday!
He stated that the largest obstacle to the Gospel was the idolatry of the church. Wright said that what hurts Him the most is the failures and disobedience of His children. Today we grumble and attach the world and didn't confront our own failures.
Wright classified our false gods into 3 categories.
1. Power and position
2. Popularity and Success
3. Wealth and Greed
He stated that position seek was disobedience and that we are called to be a people of humility. Chris also said that far too often we as church leaders are guilty of faulty exaggerations and distortions to gain success. We are called to a life of simplicity not of covetousness
Jesus Christ was faced by these when Satan tempted him and He withstood them all. This is a very powerful statement, "We (the Church) are a stumbling block and scandal for the mission of God." In essence He called us to reformation and a radical return to the Lord.
We also had a great talk on the heresy of the Prosperity gospel, health and wealth. Jesus taught on love and mercy not materials and health. A great talk that I recommend those of you who are interested to read on www.lausanne.org
One last quote from yesterday that I thought was powerful was, "All Christians believe in the Gospel, not all Christians believe in the urgency of the Gospel." What a huge challenge for us all to constantly share our love and faith with others.
Last night we dedicated our time in prayer to praise and worship the Lord. We also prayed for the church, the lost and unreached, the future.
Duffy Johnson
He stated that the largest obstacle to the Gospel was the idolatry of the church. Wright said that what hurts Him the most is the failures and disobedience of His children. Today we grumble and attach the world and didn't confront our own failures.
Wright classified our false gods into 3 categories.
1. Power and position
2. Popularity and Success
3. Wealth and Greed
He stated that position seek was disobedience and that we are called to be a people of humility. Chris also said that far too often we as church leaders are guilty of faulty exaggerations and distortions to gain success. We are called to a life of simplicity not of covetousness
Jesus Christ was faced by these when Satan tempted him and He withstood them all. This is a very powerful statement, "We (the Church) are a stumbling block and scandal for the mission of God." In essence He called us to reformation and a radical return to the Lord.
We also had a great talk on the heresy of the Prosperity gospel, health and wealth. Jesus taught on love and mercy not materials and health. A great talk that I recommend those of you who are interested to read on www.lausanne.org
One last quote from yesterday that I thought was powerful was, "All Christians believe in the Gospel, not all Christians believe in the urgency of the Gospel." What a huge challenge for us all to constantly share our love and faith with others.
Last night we dedicated our time in prayer to praise and worship the Lord. We also prayed for the church, the lost and unreached, the future.
Duffy Johnson
Friday, October 22, 2010
Love
This morning we had the opportunity to hear Vaughn Roberts speak on Eph. 4:1-16.
Here are some quotes I wrote down that I thought were particularly thought provoking:
The world should be drawn to us by our unity, rather if is often repulsed by discord.
Unity is a fact. We are unified by our relationship with Christ and the embodiment of the Holy Spirit.
Love for those who love you is ordinary.
Love for those who those we do not like is extraordinary.
Love for those who persecute us is revolutionary.
When we freeze water we make all the cubes the same. When God freezes water He makes snowflakes. (Uniqueness of which we are made)
He often used a phrase called the Great Omission that was defined as the lack of teaching the word through discipleship.
Lastly, Love requires truth telling. If you love some you must tell them the truth, in love.
In our second session today we focused in on Unreached people groups. There are 2, 252 people groups in the world that are unreached most of which we did not know about until 30 years ago some even within the past 5 years. A effective means of communicating the Gospel in areas that do not have the bible translated is through oral story telling very much as the way that the Old Testament was passed down from generation to generation.
One fourth of all decision made this year have been through the Internet. Communicated the Gospel has been changing dramatically as we have traditionally preached the Gospel, then we printed the Gospel, and with video and new technologies we now are portraying the Gospel.
Tonight’s session focused in on the continent of Africa and children. Both a strong passion of mine. Africa was classified tonight as a fatherless nation and they felt it was a major reason for so many of their problems. The present a great ministry that reaches out to coaches that spread the Gospel through sports. We even have friends of this ministry at HPPC.
Did you know that the amount of Christians in Africa over the past 100 years has increased 3,000%. That is an amazing statistic that they paid tribute to the West sending missionaries. As a result Africa is now a sending continent. They are sending missionaries to Europe and even to the United States!
There are 2 billion children in the world. God has always had a plan for children such as young Samuel who heard God’s voice or the boy who’s name we don’t know who say his fish and loaves multiplied to feed the thousands. Our strategic plans should have great weight on children as most Christians begin their relationship with Christ before the age of 18.
Duffy Johnson
Here are some quotes I wrote down that I thought were particularly thought provoking:
The world should be drawn to us by our unity, rather if is often repulsed by discord.
Unity is a fact. We are unified by our relationship with Christ and the embodiment of the Holy Spirit.
Love for those who love you is ordinary.
Love for those who those we do not like is extraordinary.
Love for those who persecute us is revolutionary.
When we freeze water we make all the cubes the same. When God freezes water He makes snowflakes. (Uniqueness of which we are made)
He often used a phrase called the Great Omission that was defined as the lack of teaching the word through discipleship.
Lastly, Love requires truth telling. If you love some you must tell them the truth, in love.
In our second session today we focused in on Unreached people groups. There are 2, 252 people groups in the world that are unreached most of which we did not know about until 30 years ago some even within the past 5 years. A effective means of communicating the Gospel in areas that do not have the bible translated is through oral story telling very much as the way that the Old Testament was passed down from generation to generation.
One fourth of all decision made this year have been through the Internet. Communicated the Gospel has been changing dramatically as we have traditionally preached the Gospel, then we printed the Gospel, and with video and new technologies we now are portraying the Gospel.
Tonight’s session focused in on the continent of Africa and children. Both a strong passion of mine. Africa was classified tonight as a fatherless nation and they felt it was a major reason for so many of their problems. The present a great ministry that reaches out to coaches that spread the Gospel through sports. We even have friends of this ministry at HPPC.
Did you know that the amount of Christians in Africa over the past 100 years has increased 3,000%. That is an amazing statistic that they paid tribute to the West sending missionaries. As a result Africa is now a sending continent. They are sending missionaries to Europe and even to the United States!
There are 2 billion children in the world. God has always had a plan for children such as young Samuel who heard God’s voice or the boy who’s name we don’t know who say his fish and loaves multiplied to feed the thousands. Our strategic plans should have great weight on children as most Christians begin their relationship with Christ before the age of 18.
Duffy Johnson
Life Began in the Garden...
We had the opportunity the other night to hear Tim Keller talk about Megacities. Megacities are defined as cities that have 10 Million people are more. Keller gave a great arguement of how we should reach out to cities as people are moving to cities from rural places at the rate of 4 million people a month worldwide. Many people travel to cities for education, tbusinessc, etc. If we are in the cities and reaching them well then we will more effective and effecient with our resources. He gave a Ray Bakke quote that I thought was interesting, "Life began in the garden, and will end in the city."
This morning at breakfast I asked Ron Scates about his reflection of the first few days. He was quite impressed by the faith, courage, and quality of the Christian leaders here. He said he has to constantly remind himself that there are 4,000 sinners here because the quality of the people that are in these halls. Ron aslo commented that he felt like he was drinking from a fire hydrant. He is being strengthen and encouarge every day by the message presented here.
Worship is amazing. I often have a hard time getting words to come out while singing because of the presence of God and the testimony of so many different languages and cultures is so overwhelming. Most songs begin in English but incorporate several soloist in other languages. It is inspirational and foreshadows what we will experience in heaven - people of every background imagineable lifing up worship to Jesus Christ together.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit Andrew Murray's church as well as Desmond Tutu's. What a fantastic experience to be where the great men ministered.
This morning at breakfast I asked Ron Scates about his reflection of the first few days. He was quite impressed by the faith, courage, and quality of the Christian leaders here. He said he has to constantly remind himself that there are 4,000 sinners here because the quality of the people that are in these halls. Ron aslo commented that he felt like he was drinking from a fire hydrant. He is being strengthen and encouarge every day by the message presented here.
Worship is amazing. I often have a hard time getting words to come out while singing because of the presence of God and the testimony of so many different languages and cultures is so overwhelming. Most songs begin in English but incorporate several soloist in other languages. It is inspirational and foreshadows what we will experience in heaven - people of every background imagineable lifing up worship to Jesus Christ together.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit Andrew Murray's church as well as Desmond Tutu's. What a fantastic experience to be where the great men ministered.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A Taste of Heaven
It's one of the most amazing sites I have ever seen. It's like a taste of heaven here! There is almost literally someone from every tribe and every nation gather here.
The views as you look out the airplane after completing 30 hours of travel are breath-taking. The way that the clouds literally push over the moutains and cascade over the other side is something worth to be shown on the BBC's "Life" movie. I was reminded of how powerful and magistic God truly is as Creator. There was also a moment that took my breath away as on approach there were miles of shanty shacks set up. Probably the largest poverty ridden area I have seen with my own eyes. It was defiantely humbling to see such wonder and the wonder why only moments later. I guess God has a special place for the poor in His heart and decided to give these an incredibe view of His Creation.
The Congress is a taste of Heaven. Hundreds of nations are represented as you walk the halls you see Blacks, Asians, Caucians, Hispanics and combinations of all of the above. The techology process here has been a challenge as the system was down the first 2 days and has been very spotty today. There has been some hacking involved so staying in front of the system has been a challenge for our friends here.
The conversations here are rich and challenging. I'm particularly excited about tonight's session with Timothy Keller. I will write more but only have a moment before they shut down the internet for the session to start. Tomorrow is a free day so we plan on visiting the prison where Nelson Mandela was held and local historical sites.
Blessings,
Duffy Johnson
The views as you look out the airplane after completing 30 hours of travel are breath-taking. The way that the clouds literally push over the moutains and cascade over the other side is something worth to be shown on the BBC's "Life" movie. I was reminded of how powerful and magistic God truly is as Creator. There was also a moment that took my breath away as on approach there were miles of shanty shacks set up. Probably the largest poverty ridden area I have seen with my own eyes. It was defiantely humbling to see such wonder and the wonder why only moments later. I guess God has a special place for the poor in His heart and decided to give these an incredibe view of His Creation.
The Congress is a taste of Heaven. Hundreds of nations are represented as you walk the halls you see Blacks, Asians, Caucians, Hispanics and combinations of all of the above. The techology process here has been a challenge as the system was down the first 2 days and has been very spotty today. There has been some hacking involved so staying in front of the system has been a challenge for our friends here.
The conversations here are rich and challenging. I'm particularly excited about tonight's session with Timothy Keller. I will write more but only have a moment before they shut down the internet for the session to start. Tomorrow is a free day so we plan on visiting the prison where Nelson Mandela was held and local historical sites.
Blessings,
Duffy Johnson
Friday, October 15, 2010
Follow HPPC @ Lausanne
“Please pray for the Congress, that the Holy Spirit would do something amazing here that will impact the world for decades. Thanks for your prayers.”
– Ron Scates
As five people with HPPC connections travel to South Africa to participate including HPPC Senior Pastor Ron Scates, please be in prayer for the 4,000 global Christian leaders from more than 200 countries, who will gather with thousands more participating virtually in the third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. The goal of the gathering is to examine how critical issues of our time such as other world faiths, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and persecution impact the future of the global Church and world evangelization. The purpose is to fuel the development of strategies for fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).
Founded by Rev. Billy Graham and Dr. John R.W. Stott, this Third World Congress in Cape Town follows its inaugural meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974 and second meeting in Manila in 1989. In a spirit of Christian unity, the Congress includes men and women who represent a broad diversity of nationalities, ethnicities, ages, occupations, and denominational affiliations.
If you are interested in learning more, thousands of others will watch video of the Congress online and participate in virtual discussions through the Lausanne Global Conversation at
www.lausanne.org/conversation.
– Ron Scates
As five people with HPPC connections travel to South Africa to participate including HPPC Senior Pastor Ron Scates, please be in prayer for the 4,000 global Christian leaders from more than 200 countries, who will gather with thousands more participating virtually in the third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. The goal of the gathering is to examine how critical issues of our time such as other world faiths, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and persecution impact the future of the global Church and world evangelization. The purpose is to fuel the development of strategies for fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).
Founded by Rev. Billy Graham and Dr. John R.W. Stott, this Third World Congress in Cape Town follows its inaugural meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974 and second meeting in Manila in 1989. In a spirit of Christian unity, the Congress includes men and women who represent a broad diversity of nationalities, ethnicities, ages, occupations, and denominational affiliations.
If you are interested in learning more, thousands of others will watch video of the Congress online and participate in virtual discussions through the Lausanne Global Conversation at
www.lausanne.org/conversation.
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