List out the specifics, please
In a heartfelt encounter, Mitsue, a devoted attendee of an evangelistic Bible study, found herself questioning the opinions of a stranger from a faraway place. The stranger, in an attempt to share their preferences, had suggested that coffee was a superior drink to the traditional tea cherished by Mitsue's culture.
This seemingly trivial exchange, however, sparked a deeper reflection for Mitsue. It led her to ponder the significance of knowing the names of the marginalized and oppressed in the Christian mission. As it turns out, this practice signifies a profound recognition of each individual's value and suffering, echoing God's intimate knowledge and care for them.
The Christian faith's commitment to justice, mercy, and personal solidarity with the vulnerable is underscored by this practice. It reflects God's heart and the essence of Jesus' ministry, which is not just about general compassion but about bearing witness to God’s justice by acknowledging and standing with those who are downtrodden. This resonates with the biblical imperative to "defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed" (Psalm 82:3-4) and to walk humbly with God by acting justly and loving mercy (Micah 6:8).
This commitment to personal solidarity also symbolizes resistance to systems of oppression that dehumanize the poor. It challenges accepting poverty passively and instead calls for active liberation and justice.
Meanwhile, in a different context, Manik Corea, a Singaporean leader of Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, has dedicated over 27 years to ministering as a missionary and church planter in the UK, the USA, and Thailand. He currently serves as the National Director of the Singapore Centre for Global Missions (SCGM) and chairs the Singapore Lausanne Committee.
Manik, ordained in the Anglican Church of North America and holding a Master's degree in Intercultural Studies (Church Planting) from Asbury Theological Seminary, is a firm believer in the importance of sharing the gospel with others. As he once stated, "A secret gospel ceases to be news and loses its goodness."
Manik's wife, Maple, is from Taiwan and has served in children's and international student ministries. Together, they have a 17-year-old son named Josiah.
The call to go on mission into the world, the proper theatre of Jesus' saving work, is a call that resonates with both Mitsue and Manik Corea. It is a call to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is indeed good news for the world.
This article originally appeared on the Lausanne Movement webpage and is published here with their permission. The thoughts and ideas expressed in this article are a reflection of the commitment to the Christian faith's mission to justice, mercy, and personal solidarity with the vulnerable.
References:
- Tite Tiénou, "Does The World Really Need to Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ?", in John Akers, John Armstrong, and John Woodbridge (eds.), This We Believe (Crossway, 2013), p. 43.
- Michael Frost, The Road to Missional: Journey to the Center of the Church (Zondervan, 2011).
- Lausanne Movement, "Mission and the Church: The Challenge for the 21st Century", Cape Town Commitment, 2010, p. 205.
- Lausanne Movement, "The Gospel and Globalization: A Challenge to the Church", Manila Manifesto, 1989, p. 13.
In the spirit of her encounter with the stranger, Mitsue began to connect her cultural beliefs about tea to education-and-self-development, understanding that acknowledging and standing with the marginalized follows suit in personal-growth and career-development. Manik Corea, similarly, views the sharing of the gospel as essential for his own personal growth and the growth of those he ministers to, progress that encompasses both education-and-self-development and career-development, allowing for a global impact in mission work.
