The world-wide body of Christ needs all its members

CC: Where is the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in the landscape of the global church? Are we having the same conversations as other Christians around the world?

Charles Oh, Philippines (Attended in-person): From where I stand, the CRC is definitely part of the broader conversation in the global church. We’re talking about social justice, poverty and how to live out our faith in cultures that are often at odds with Christianity. These are the same issues I hear from churches around the world.

The CRC is also part of the shift in missions, where it’s not just about sending missionaries anymore but about partnerships. We’re learning to work together with other churches locally, and seeing mission as a shared responsibility.

Navy Chann-Chhay, Cambodia (Attended virtually): The theme of the Lausanne 4 Congress was “Let the church declare and display Christ together.” I think the CRC has a great theology that “Our World Belongs to God” – a holistic approach [that can help] in conversations with the global church.

CC: What do Resonate missionaries in Ukraine, Mexico, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Cambodia, South Africa, Romania, and Hungary have in common?

Charles Oh: All of us – no matter where we are – are focused on making disciples and raising up local leaders. The heart of our mission is to help people grow in their faith and equip them to lead others to Christ. That’s a common thread for all of us.

We also adapt to the culture we’re in. Whether it’s navigating Catholic traditions here in the Philippines or dealing with different challenges in places like Ukraine or Cambodia, we’re all working to bring the Gospel in ways that resonate with the local context. And we don’t just focus on the spiritual; we’re involved in the community, whether that’s through education, healthcare, or by addressing poverty. Despite the difficulties, we share a common commitment to God’s work and to building strong partnerships with local churches and global networks like Lausanne.

Navy Chann-Chhay: We are inspired by Acts 1:8; we received the power of the Holy Spirit and have gone to the ends of the earth. We [all] follow our calling to serve God. We value local contributions on how to effectively preach the Gospel.

Resonate uses the Timothy Leadership Training and Coffee Break plus the Educational Care curriculums. These resources have been helpful. There are some other great opportunities to help the church be more organized in its setting, and to enhance church administration and governance with humility and integrity. This will help the church to be more accountable and sustainable.

CC: What’s the number one takeaway from your time in South Korea?

Charles Oh: The level of commitment to prayer was incredible – it’s something all of us as Christians could learn from. Another important thing to note is the sense of repentance and lament that’s happening in Korea right now. The church there has been reflecting deeply on its challenges, particularly as their global leadership in missions has declined recently. There’s a lot of soul-searching going on, which is actually a powerful example for all of us. It reminds us that no matter how strong a church or a movement may seem, we’re all called to continually repent, to grieve the ways we’ve fallen short, and to seek God’s renewal.

And as we face our own challenges, there’s a lot we can learn from the way the Korean church is humbly seeking God in this season.

Navy Chann-Chhay: The Congress ended with great encouragement and inspiration; it is a great hope and prayer that churches will work together to reach many lives for the Lord Jesus.

Our greatest enemy: pride

James Lee, Mexico (Attended in-person)

The Lausanne Congress brought together 5,000 attendees from 222 countries. The Holy Spirit prompted me to reflect on how we can collaborate more effectively in pursuit of God’s mission. I wholeheartedly resonate with Dr. Michael Oh, who said, “Today, our greatest enemy is the mindset encapsulated in the words, ‘I don’t need you.’ Instead, we must humbly acknowledge, ‘I need you.’” This sentiment echoes the words of Jesus in John 17:21: “That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” I find myself evaluating how I am intentionally responding to Jesus’ call to be one body in Christ.

From this experience, I learned three key insights: Prayer, Action and Repentance (P.A.R.). We must prioritize praying together by sharing our challenges and praises through digital platforms like Zoom. Second, we need to put our intentions into action rather than merely discussing them. Have a prayer meeting two times a year through Zoom where all the Resonate missionaries gather to pray. Lastly, we must embrace repentance. It is essential to acknowledge that within Christian circles, we often become preoccupied with our separate activities and programs for God’s mission. We need to strive for better collaboration and seek God’s guidance for humility and repentance, as we often find comfort within our own Christian communities. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit leads us toward true repentance. If we are indeed one body in Christ, we must collectively display his light in a world that desperately needs it.