The General Overseer of Agape Generation International Church, Rev Toyin Kehinde has disclosed that about 196 missionaries are expected at the 2019 edition of the Global Mandate Conference. holding in Lagos Nigeria
The missionaries according to him are from 10 countries in Africa including Nigeria. The conference which is in its 12th edition is billed to kick off in Lagos on Thursday April 11.It will hold at the Agape Generation International Church, Mende, Maryland, Lagos.
The conference is the church’s own way of supporting global missions.
Presently, 50 percent of the church’s income go into missions as disclosed by Rev Kehinde. He noted in a telephone interview with our correspondent. that “the task of evangelism should not be left to the missionaries alone.”
Africa: People are still yearning for the truth
He explained further, ‘our vision is to continue to support missionaries irrespective of their denominations and their affiliations. The harvest is all around. People are yearning for the truth we know. I believe every church should commit its resources to missions and help missionaries especially in the least exposed places of the world”
Kehinde who is also the Secretary of the Lagos State Chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria said “the summit will attract pastors from Lagos. With the presence of Lagos pastors we hope they will have the opportunity of interfacing with the missionaries. They will also have first-hand information on what is going on in many unreached places of the world.
He said, “Our tradition has been to bring pastors in the city to meet with the missionaries so they could know how to support and where to put their support. It’s all about the kingdom. When it comes to missions we encourage churches to bury their denominational affiliations. That is what we have been doing in Agape Generation. A bulk of our earnings go into missions.’
He explained that the conference is limited to Africa because of funds. ‘We started from Nigeria and then Africa because that is where we can reach for now. It’s our Jerusalem. With time and with more funding we will spread to other parts of the world that are unreached.’
Value of the conference
On the value of the conference which annually gulps millions of naira, he said, ‘ the beauty of the conference is that it serves as an impetus for the missionaries. Our greatest testimony is that when missionaries come they are refreshed. They are energized and encouraged to do more on the field. They see the sacrifice of people and they become more committed.
Read also: The ends of the earth: A missions summit with a difference https://churchtimesnigeria.net/the-ends-of-the-earth-a-missions-summit-with-a-difference/
“I am also glad to note that many pastors are now aware of the efforts of missionaries on the field. They are able to link up with them and render assistance as God gives them the leading. Missionaries are also able to know that people in the cities care for them and are praying for them. The conference gives them the opportunity to reflect on their work. Many of them also take advantage of the resources available around so they would not burn out.’
He however noted that the awareness for missions is still low compared to what is going on in the fields. “A lot of things are happening. Mission fields are opening up but nobody seems to know what is going on. Our vision is to create more awareness and wake up churches to the need to support missions.’
He regretted that many churches dissipate funds on things that could wait. “It’s good to have musical concerts but I believe that the money we spend on these concerts can be reduced. This will enable churches accommodate those who are labouring on the field because many of our missionaries need support.’
One of the greatest testimonies that has come out of the Global Mandate Conference according to Rev Kehinde is the birthing of a Hausa church.
He said, ‘we now have a Hausa church right inside our premises. And it is growing. We found out that many of the people we labour to reach in many parts of Nigeria and indeed Africa are all around us. They are shoe makers the guards and those who are into trade.
“Some of them are in paid employment and hold strategic positions. So we had to begin to reach them with the gospel and it’s been really fruitful. The Hausa church in our purview is growing. We encourage other churches to follow suit. We can together change the world and make more impact if we pay attention to people around us. ‘
The conference is expected to hold from Thursday April 11 to 14. Resource persons at the event include: Rev James Forlines from the United States of America, Rev Mike Adegbile from Jos, Rev Idowu Olawuyi from Ilorin and Pastor Leke Akinola from Lagos.
Also expected at the event which will feature both morning and afternoon sessions are Bishop Abraham Olaleye, Bishop Sola Ore, Chairman, Lagos Chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rev Bode Orekoya and Bishop Emmanuel Ajose. The venue is 15 Ugbeji Aki Street, Mende Maryland, Lagos.