The 10th World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Mission Commission International Convocation has opened in Cape Town, South Africa with a keynote address from the outgoing Executive Director Dr. William Taylor.

|TOP|Taylor used the opportunity to reflect on his 20 years of service to the global alliance. More than 300 participants, representing 54 countries, gathered for the ‘Global Issues Summit’, and listened intently as Taylor shared his experiences in expanding the organisation from a “part-time dream job with no pay” to a community of missiologists in 80 countries.

Taylor said, “From the very first day, my mentor told me there would be no money for salary, but the world is before you. Now, the dream has become a global current of relationships, and I’ve had the privilege of serving with collegial cross-cultural servants.”

Speaking about how God first called him to his position in 1986, Taylor thanked all that had helped him, “I have been shaped by the women and men that cared for me, invested in me, believed me, and loved me. And prime of these is my wife, Yvonne, my life partner and silent colleague in MC service.”

He told delegates, “As we engage in this week together, let us listen to each other. We need each other...the mission mobilisers and the missiologists need each other, the trainers and pastors need each other.”

The Mission Commission conference is held once every three years in alternate continents. This year’s conference is the first held in South Africa, and the second held in Africa.

|AD|The meeting, which lasts from 18-24 June, looks to bring plenary addresses from top international missions leaders, as well as 15 teams in workshops, seminars, and networking sessions on the current state and future vision of world evangelisation.

The General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance in South Africa, Moss Ntlha said, “The WEA Mission Commission is convening to look at some serious issues. For instance, how do we explain the fact that 70 percent of the HIV burden is on this continent when 70 percent of the people in South Africa are Christian? Is the Lord saying something to us that we are not hearing?

“We pray that the Lord will show us how we can do missions more effectively. Let’s compare notes, and at the end of the five days we will come away as a stronger body of believers.”

It is hoped that the conference will provide the backdrop for landmark changes in Christian mission worldwide.

Taylor said, “Something happens when key leaders come together. There is a synergy - a mystical synergy and a missional synergy -- that brings a deep transformation to the heart.”

Taking over the position of Executive Director is Bertil Ekstrom from Brazil. Taylor said, “My hope is that this transition would be a God-honouring one.”

Taylor explained that he plans to serve the commission for 15 more years as an ambassador, relinquishing executive authority while providing assistance in carrying out the commission’s goals.

Meanwhile, Ekstrom said he was thankful for the new opportunity. He said, “The mission work requires great sensitivity and flexibility. We must be humble and recognise that the Empowering Spirit invites us to test new mission ideas and structures, forms and movements, and we must accept our limitations as we learn new things.”