On July 13-16 I had the privelege of attending the Heritage Baptist Church Missions Conference in Owensboro, KY entitled “Christian Imperialism”. There was no “keynote” speaker as all the speakers had equal time to speak and each session was ended with a similiar prayer/response time. On that note, the speakers were a missionary in the far east (we’ll call him John for security sake), Paul Washer, Luis Sena and Conrad Mbewe of Zambia (aka “The Spurgeon of Africa”).
Anyway, the speakers had many challenging messages and they all seem to fit together. John had two messages that really stuck out to me. He preached from 1 Timothy 5-6 on our attitude towards money. His main point was to be content with food, sustenance and shelter and consider the rest for advancement of the Kingdom of God. He treated retirement (at least the way we typically understand it) as unbiblical. He called upon churches and family to take care of their elderly. He also urged us in another message to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit when we go out to serve him. This is an experience that ought to be sought. This is an idea that is not commonly heard in Reformed circles.
Luis Sena shook us up by challenging us on worldview issues. He spoke on holistic missions and ministry. He pointed us to the excluded middle and to make sure that we are exporting a Biblical gospel and not an American Gospel.
Paul Washer did a wonderful job pointing us to God. We can serve God without seeking Him. We can proclaim Him without knowing Him. Christianity is about Him and knowing Him. We ought not to ever lose our fascination with who and what God is. Knowing Him is of upmost importance. Let our proclamation and ministry be out of our overflow of our knowledge of Him.
Conrad Mbewe exalted the gospel of Christ and the Christ of the Gospel in a four part exposition of Romans 1:1-16. Imperialism has a history of robbing people and nations of their dignity, resources and freedom. Christian imperialism is the spread of the reign of God through proclaiming this glorious gospel. Out of it peoples and nations will find freedom and their true dignity. May we Christians not be afraid of such an idea and be bold in our proclamation.
I had great contacts and had several lunches with different people. I had the opportunity to sit down and chat will all of the speakers. I also met some people who have ministered with and are in cahoots with a man in Northeast India that Jeff has known for many years. We have taught at that same institute. It was a blessing meeting these new brethren and sitting under great teaching as well. I look forward to the next one and hope to keep in contact with all of these brethren.
For the Lamb,
Pastor Mark
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