On May 13, 2010 Christians around the world observe “Ascension Day,” a Christian observance (actually, a legal holiday in some countries) remembering the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, forty days after Easter. This year, Ascension Day has come right in the middle of a strategic Tokyo congress on world evangelization.
By Grant McClung
This week (May 11 – 14) hundreds of missions leaders from around the world and the Great Commission community from within Japan have convened for “Tokyo 2010 – The Global Mission Consultation & Celebration: From Edinburgh to Tokyo.” There are many workshops and conversation sessions for prayer, teaching, and collaboration. I’ve been asked to coordinate the “Pentecostal/Charismatic Task Force” at the congress. The meeting is designed to look back in celebration and look forward in cooperation toward disciple-making among the remaining least evangelized peoples of the world.
In 1910 the Edinburgh (Scotland) World Missionary Conference was a hallmark event that gave impetus and strategic direction to the task of world evangelization in this last century. Interestingly, it has been in this same one hundred year period that God has raised up the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement as a leading force for world evangelism.
For this trip, I’ll not need the “AAA” club – a household name among travelers – but I’m borrowing their logo to illustrate another idea. Let me urge you to pray for the presence of another “AAA” community coming to Tokyo.
I urge you to learn more about what the Bible says about the impact and results of Christ’s ascension. As it relates to world evangelization, however, pray for the “Great Commission AAA Community” in Tokyo. Among many blessings, at least three special benefits (AAA) are given to Great Commission believers through the reality of Christ’s ascension: (1) Access; (2) Approval; (3) Anointing:
1. Access – Through Christ’s real presence in heaven, we have access to God in prayer to plead for the salvation of all peoples. From Christ’s command in the Great Commission we know that it is God’s will for all people everywhere to have that same access to God and a realized promise of eternal life.
2. Approval – The ascension is directly connected to the Great Commission. After Jesus gave the command to make disciples of all nations, the next thing that happened was His ascension: “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven” (Luke 24.51. See also Acts 1.8-9). There is approval upon us from the risen, ascended Christ as we obey His command.
3. Anointing – Ten days after the ascension, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. Into the face of a hostile crowd, Peter declared, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God [by the mighty power of the Ascension], he [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear” (Acts 2.32-33).
There are many serious missions leaders gathered in Tokyo – dedicated servants of God who are committed, giving their lives for the discipling of all nations and peoples. Most of them are from the “Majority World” of Africa, Asia, and Latin America – where the majority of believers live and serve Jesus Christ faithfully. Will you join me in praying for all of us as we convene, and for the Christian community in Japan?
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Dr. Grant McClung is president of Missions Resource Group and a missionary educator with Church of God World Missions.