'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment' 

A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend

 

The theme was 'United in mission - global insight, local impact', and delegates heard from a range of speakers who shared their own experience of mission. Space was given to ask questions of the speakers via the Slido platform 

The first session was entitled: 'Anybody can do this: Making disciples from Kolkata to Toxteth', and was hosted by Kwame Adzam, Heart for the Gospel Ministry Lead at BMS.

BMS World Mission’s Indian evangelist Ben Francis has given life to over 50,000 house churches in his homeland over the last 20 years. 'My job is to tell you what God is doing', he said, highlighting the compassion Jesus had for the crowds in Matthew 9: 35-38. He encouraged those listening to pray to God to determine what action could meet today's need (Matt 9:38), before reminding the labourers 'are right around you'. 

'Start from where we are, do what you can, see where you go,' Ben said, 'every fellowship is a disciple making environment.

'And remember - we are ordinary people in the hands of an extraordinary God.'

Jack Sykes, minister of Toxteth Tabernacle Baptist Church, shared  his church's story. He had been impacted by Ben's Big Life ministry on a visit to Kolkata, and has sought to contextualise it to his own community. It's still early days, but it has resulted in disciples making disciples (more here). Toxteth follows Big Life's framework, and Jack said 'multiplication happens as people are equipped.'

A key element has been seeking God. 'The first thing I did was prayer walking,' said Jack. 'And every single Sunday morning prayer walk, I ended up in a conversation about faith.

'As we are seeking God, he appears generously.'

Another contributor was Rachel Malyk, the minister of Hathern Baptist Church, Loughborough, which also uses the Big Life discovery Bible framework. On arrival she was told Hathern was a dying church, with 15 members in a rural context. Eighteen months on seven groups have started. 

She said making space to enable people to hear God had been really helpful, as well as a mindset shift of 'what we have is enough.' This has involved not getting 'so busy with church', but doing things you're interested in 'in the natural rhythm of life.' 


Another session was entitled 'Welcoming the stranger - when global mission goes local.'



Here there was an encouragement to reach out to refugees and asylum seekers, as well as recognise they can have their own ministry. The session was hosted by Sam Chaise, Help for the Journey Ministry Lead at BMS World Mission.

As part of the Quest Academy, Peter Samir works in refugee and migrant ministry, building a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. He prepares new believers in Europe for refugee ministry in their communities. But local connections are nevertheless important. 

'We want people to be connected with the local church,’ he explained. 

'As a church, we have a message to share the gospel with the community. We need to inspire the church to see the benefit of welcoming these people. Sometimes when it doesn't touch us, we don't do anything about it. But refugees are coming, and they're not going to stop. As churches, we need to be ready!'

In engaging Muslims, Peter added, the most important thing is to ask questions about what they believe - and build relationships. 'It's all about trust. They are not a target, they are a soul. And we need to love them.'

This point was reinforced by Issa Elbechara, the Lebanese pastor of the Arabic Evangelical Church in Dublin and who works with Peter. 'The most important bridge to refugees is to show you love them. Most refugees think the western world hates them.'



The session also heard from the Baptists Together Hong Kong Project co-ordinators Sharon Shek and Lindy Chan. 

Londy explained how there is a clear mission field - 160000 Hong Kongers have moved to the UK since 2021, many of them young families with children. 

'When we talk about welcoming Hong Kongers, it’s not just theory for me – I was warmly welcomed at Wokingham Baptist Church,' she added. 

Sharon highlighted the benefits of churches genuinely listening to the Hong Kongers. 'Churches have slowed down and listened, and not done what they’ve always done. And we listen to the congregation. The relationship grows. It enriches the church.'

'I’ve also noticed churches moving from simply wanting to grow, to having a Kingdom mindset,' she continued. 'People’s eyes are opening, they are thinking about the whole Body of Christ.'

She also advocated food and parties. 'They are very good platforms for gathering together - do more international events. Behind the food are stories.'