God’ s Metric
One of the closing scenes of the scriptural narrative appears in Revelation 7:9. It describes a throng so vast no one could number it and so diverse it included every nation, tribe, language, and people group. I’ ve had the privilege of visiting churches across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia, and I can attest to the glorious beauty and diversity of God’ s global church. It stands as a testament to the loving faithfulness of God and to the faithfulness of committed disciple-makers who have shared the Gospel across linguistic, cultural, and geographic barriers. We have much to be grateful for and to celebrate!
At the same time, many remain estranged from their heavenly Father and are not yet included in that worshiping multitude. The gap between our current global reality and the final scene of the biblical narrative is a clarion call to respond in obedience to the Great Commission.
We celebrate all that has been achieved over the past year through the grace of God and the faithfulness of many people who have given and served sacrificially. The stories and metrics on the following pages are our best attempt to convey what God is doing through his people. However, I want to highlight God’ s metric: a multitude that no one can count, comprising people from every nation, tribe, language, and people. That metric is incomplete, and so our task remains unfinished.“ Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah 6:8.
Blessings,
Chris Williams Executive Director of Global Ministries
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