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TechnoratiI think the biggest thing that we are looking at is to enhance and empower the indigenous people to continue to move forward to develop a witnessing fellowship, develop churches and all of the discipline that go alongside being a follower of Christ.
One of the things we are trying to do is say this work is an opportunity for all followers of Christ and not just a situation where the paid clergy do all of the work. As we are moving into the 21st century, we feel that is going to be a real hallmark of the work of the Lord in the future of Europe and other places.
CP: Can you explain more about what you mean by empowering the natives?
Deneen: Training in church planting (principles of planting rapidly multiplying churches so that churches can begin and then spin off and birth other churches) and other principles such as:
• talking to indigenous believers about different faiths around the world, whether it is Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or New Age.
• meeting in homes and other things that we see directly tied to the New Testament that could be modeled.
Because we seen a lot of the decline in traditional churches in Europe as we move into the 21st century, some things we’ll be focused on are new models and new paradigms and being sure that our workers [are] teaching and modeling cultural relevance so that the person who is European will say: “That is something I want. I want to know more about Jesus because what I have seen modeled in the life of the missionary or indigenous believers.”
CP: How do you think your experience with Center for Global Strategies will help in GEM’s mission?
Deneen: Well the Center for Global Strategies is a company that is focused on building bridges with other societies. So first of all, that will serve me well because the Greater Europe Mission has been for a number of years and will continue to build bridges with societies. Second, we have an ethos of being involved in countries that have a lot of needs – spiritually and in other ways. We see that in Europe with spiritual need, with a desire to learn, with a desire to partner with churches in America and other places. That is another plus that CGS brings. Also in engaging professionals in advancing the Kingdom of God. For many years those professionals were underutilized and what we ask people to do is come and be a part of their profession whatever that is – banking, law, business, tourism. So I see that as having some application in Europe because we ask professionals to come and add value and be salt and light in Europe.
CP: Is there anything you would like to add?
Deneen: I think the most important thing is I see opportunities and hope. I see the Greater Europe Mission as accomplishing a number of positive things over the year. I think the organization is sound financially and populated by people who love Jesus and love being a part of the work where God is and advancing God’s kingdom. I’m just excited to be able to come alongside and to play a role and be a part of what I believe God is going to be doing in a wonderful way in an extremely strategic part of the world for many years to come. I feel the Greater Europe Mission is ready for the future and is embracing some of the things we bring. I see a lot of positives in the future.
