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Transcript
Hi, Alliance Canada. So today I needed to be dressed up, but I forgot to bring a change of clothes. So we're in formal mode for the shoot. There have been a lot of difficult headlines recently, and so I wanted to start with some truly uplifting news. In particular, we're witnessing extraordinary progress in global missions, especially in the area of Bible translation. The gap is closing quickly, and it is a testament to how God is at work in our time. So let me share a few encouraging statistics and indicators about that.
But even before I share that, you may notice that this message is available in more than just English. We're exploring the use of AI translation tools not to replace the personal touch of ministry, but to make our communications more accessible and welcoming, not just to all of us and our members of the Alliance family, but to everyone whose first language isn’t English. I recognize this is not yet perfect, in fact, far from perfect. And so if you have any feedback or commentary on some of the translations, please let us know, as we continue to build out our dictionary of various faith based terms in many, many languages.
Now, just like we are using technology to help expand our reach and sharing of the good news, so has this impacted Bible translation? Here are some current indicators. In 1999, there were more than 5000 languages still waiting for scripture translation. Today, that number has dropped to under a thousand, and current projections suggest that within the next year or so, it should fall to just over 500 languages remaining. For centuries, Bible translation felt almost impossible. Now, many mission leaders are saying it is becoming inevitable. It's an incredible reminder that even when things seem dark, the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to move forward around the world.
The greatest Good News is that Jesus is alive. That Jesus saves and that if you place your trust in him, Jesus changes absolutely everything. Easter is coming. Christ is risen! Death does not yet get the final word. Jesus entered fully into our human story. Hebrews reminds us that we have someone who understands us, who advocates for us, and who invites us to approach the throne of grace with confidence. And of course, in Revelation, it reminds us where the story is going. That the Great I Am is making all things new. Come, Lord Jesus.
And so, as we move towards Easter and toward the changing of seasons here and across Canada, I want to take a few minutes to highlight three important items: our next prayer gathering, our annual report on ministry, and a General Assembly trailer that could be shown in your church, small group, or other ministry context.
Many of you know we've been talking together about vision 2034 as a family of churches. At its heart, it's about faithfulness. Faithfulness to the call Jesus has given us, faithfulness to communities God has placed us in, and faithfulness to the Gospel that has been entrusted to us. And that's why one of the core drivers in our strategic framework is prayer. At Assembly, we reflected on the words of Jesus in John 15:5. It says, “I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” If we truly believe that, then prayer isn't just something we do occasionally. Prayer is dependance. It's how we remain connected to the vine.
So I want to invite you to invite your churches to join us for our next National Prayer Gathering on April 16th from 1 to 2:30 p.m.. Additionally, beginning April 20th, we're going to start a 42-day journey of prayer leading into Assembly. Each weekday, you'll receive a short devotional reflection and prayer prompts, focus on what God is doing across Canada and through our international ministries.
Now, pastors, stay with me here for just a moment. This is also a time of year when we ask churches to complete the annual report for ministries. I know reports and forums are not anyone's favourite part of ministry, but this report actually helps us discern what God is doing across our country and will help inform our collective discernment at General Assembly. When a church's voice isn't included, part of the story of what God is doing among us is missing. So perhaps with greater emphasis and urgency than before, please prioritize this and a very big thank you in advance, taking the time to complete it as part of your team and efforts there.
Finally, a quick reminder about General Assembly in Calgary June 8th to 12. Early bird registration is still open for a short time, so if you're planning to attend, this is a great time to register. General Assembly is always a special time for us as a movement, and it is a time to worship together, to pray together, discern together and celebrate what God is doing across our churches here in Canada and around the world. In many ways, it really is a family gathering for Alliance churches. Don't forget youth pastors and pastors to register for the Student Rally as part of the first plenary evening session.
Thank you again for your faithful fellowership of Jesus in the community He has placed you. I am grateful for you and for the ways God continues to work through the Alliance Churches and Alliance people across this country. And so I'll close this update with a short Assembly video that gives you a glimpse of what's coming, and maybe it will stir a little bit of more anticipation and perhaps even a little FOMO. I hope to see many of you in Calgary this June. Have a great month everyone! And would you walk boldly with much joy in the hope and confidence you have because of Jesus Christ?
My sheep hear my voice; and I know them, and I follow them.
Prayer, leaders, ministries, stewardship and effectiveness. This is why we exist. To multiply disciples everywhere. Could making disciples be a reflection of our love? Or the lack of making disciples could it be also a reflection of the lack of love that we have?
The Alliance Canada currently reaches approximately 0.4% of the Canadian population. What does it look like for the Alliance Canada to double our reach? What would it look like to reach 1% by 2034?
Assembly starts on June 8th. We'll be talking about missions and training, 3000 pastors, new ventures, and increasing our planting efforts. The next generation sending 10,000 people to experience our work overseas. They need hope and belonging that only the gospel can provide.
I am the vine, You are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, He it is that bears much fruit, For apart from me you can do nothing. My desperate prayer has been for us, that when things get hard, when things heat up, we do not withdraw.