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Dear friends of World Convention:
It truly was the experience of a lifetime, being in Damoh, India, worshiping with Christians from all over the world. Hearing stories of faithfulness under persecution. Seeing God at work.
The move to Damoh seemed like a series of impossible tasks-finding rooms for the 3258 who registered, providing meals, and creating meeting spaces. But by grace and the hard work of President of World Convention Ajai Lall, the staff of Central India Christian Mission, and others, God worked the miracle of Damoh.
The Damoh Convention was historic in many ways. It was the first in Asia. Those from outside India were amazed at the quality of the preparations made for them–meals where Christ was shared among the nations, the smiles, handshakes, and photo sessions with our Indian brothers and sisters, the encouraging words in music and sermons, and the clear call to tear down walls and build bridges. At the end of each Global Gathering, attendees will call it “the best.” But the Gathering in Damoh was without doubt a turning point in making us truly a World Convention.
Even if you were not able to be there, your gifts made the Damoh Gathering possible.
And now we need your gifts as we plan for our next Global Gathering in Manzini, Swaziland, our first in Africa! Your gifts will ensure that our African hosts are not burdened by their hospitality.
But World Convention is more than our Global Gatherings. It is the daily work of connecting our churches everywhere, every day, and the work of calling all Christians to unity.
It is an audacious dream, this dream of Christian unity.
It began in the heart of the Savior himself. On the night before he died on the cross, Jesus prayed that all who believe in him might be one in order that the world might believe that Jesus was sent from a loving God.
In the face of the disunity of the church, countless men and women through the ages kept the dream alive. In the early 19th century, Barton Stone, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott and others called Christians back to unity. Since then, in countries throughout the world, courageous women and men have lived that dream of Christian unity and the kingdom of God
Now, in 2017, God calls us to continue that audacious dream. The dream Jesus prayed for. The dream of Christian unity.
But it is more than a dream. It is the will of a loving Father, the prayer of a dying Savior, and the work of a Holy Spirit. World Convention is part of that work. Your partnership with us makes you part of that holy work, both locally and globally.
This past year God has worked powerfully to give visible expression to our unity. Through World Convention, church planters throughout the world have shared their passion and wisdom. Believers have been encouraged and supported in the face of persecution. Christians in countless languages have been united in prayer and action for those who are hurting. Christians from our family have met together in national, state, and local gatherings worldwide. Those from our churches have sat at the table with Christians throughout the world.
So, as we approach the end of 2017, we ask you to joyfully give to this ministry. Great news! Thanks to a generous donor, if you give to World Convention by the end of December, your gift will be matched up to $10,000! So even if you have already given this year, I ask you to give again. If you have thought of giving but have not, now would be a great time to be a part of this audacious dream and work.
God is at work among us!
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