Last year, God has reconciled us to himself, calling us to a New Life in Christ. As well, God has entrusted his message of reconciliation with the whole world to us, making us ambassadors for Christ. 

We responded accordingly. As “pilgrims of hope” we embarked on a journey towards wholeness and holiness: deepening our relationship with God, integrating our personal being, connecting with all of creation and caring for all our brothers and sisters in Christ; having the Holy Spirit as our guide. As ambassadors for Christ, we launched the CFCA’s “5 000 in 5” strategic vision: setting a goal to double our community membership within 5 years, as we double our courage, conviction and effort to draw more people to a personal and transformative relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

We are doing all these not of our own accord nor for recognition, but because we are chosen, called and commissioned by our Lord Jesus Christ saying, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19a) This is the Great Commission, instructing us to proclaim the Good News to the whole world.

Jesus Christ knows that this is not an easy task. Becoming fully human like us, he himself has been through obstacles, difficulties, misunderstandings, persecutions, sufferings and even death on the cross. We are in this world, yet we do not belong to it. Hence, Jesus says, “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) As Jesus was “led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 57:3), he is sending us out like “lambs into the midst of wolves”. (Luke 10:3) So, when we experience hardship, disappointment, exhaustion and dryness in our mission, Jesus understands our predicament. 

That is why, this year, Jesus Christ himself is praying to our Father for all of us who are doing the work of evangelisation and mission, as well as those who, touched by our witnessing, may come to believe in him. Jesus Christ himself is praying that we be consecrated in the truth; which is God’s word. And Jesus Christ himself is praying that we may all be one with him and the Father. For only when we are one in Christ can we be Christ to others.

Jesus Christ sends us out to the world with a blessing, a promise and an assurance: a blessing, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21); a promise, “And remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:7) “Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” (John 16:23b, 24b); and an assurance, “In the world you face persecution. But take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33b)

Brothers and Sisters, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” (Luke 10:2a) There is a vast number of people, potential disciples of Christ, who just need to hear the message of the Gospel. Consecrated in the truth, let us reach out and be Christ to them before they get entangled with the lure of the “untruth”.