On August 17-18, the Task Force of representatives from across the EMCC assembled in Toronto to dialogue over some big picture questions affecting Global Mission involvement around the world. But the day began, and circled back to a posture of listening to God’s Spirit. Facilitated by Bill Ryan, one of EMCC’s long-standing ordained ministers serving the city of Toronto, we began our gathering in a listening posture, inviting God to speak to us from Isaiah 51. Through the day, we also centered and re-centered on the culmination of history when God’s mission to restore all things to Himself through Christ Jesus, and form one, eternal community of people from all ethnicities, will be realized! It set the tone and posture for listening to one another.

Through the course of our 2 days together, we explored key themes like, “What is an engaged Church?” “How do we allow for reciprocal discipling influence as we walk with other cultures? and “What is the perspective of Millennials and Gen. Zed, business professionals, and young parents?” There are many buzz words too: missional church, Indigenous-led disciple-making by living the Way of Jesus, sensitivity to power, awareness of the Diaspora, and so on. One of the strongest landing points for the group was that we will define our key terms together, in a way that people can understand. It is one of two next steps, along with the crafting of a Theology of Integral Mission to guide our work going forward.

In the Fall, our work will shift from “high-level” to medium-level strategic direction, with working groups talking to stakeholders like our current missionaries and our churches, as well as outside voices. The Global Mission Task Force (GMTF) will explore a preferred future of the vision and strategic direction of EMCC World Partners, what success will look like, and what operational structure and programs we ought to implement as we respond to Jesus’ invitation for us to join in His mission among all peoples. In the Winter, we will embark on a cross-Canada tour to share some ideas with pastors and mission-engaged people in most regions of the country. The reveal of the strategic future for EMCC World Partners will be unveiled at Assembly 2019, April 26-28 in Toronto.


If you have questions or want to communicate with the GMTF, please direct your communication to Joel Zantingh or Nicole Jones-Qandah at any time. We’d love to hear from you.