EFG convenes Great Commission Forum

Based on the theme, the forum created opportunity for discussions on the character, mission and contribution of the Evangelical Church in the Gambia, underscoring the issue of evangelical identity.

The EFG Chairman Pastor Chinedum Meribole, who dissected the theme of the forum with his presentation on Evangelical Identity and History in Gambia, said understanding evangelical identity is essential for personal growth, lateral growth, decision making, and community impact and development.

He conceptualised three senses in which the term Evangelical could be framed: as Christians who affirm key doctrines and practical emphases (Theology), as an organic group of movements and religious tradition which are marked by ardent zeal as much as a set of beliefs, and as a coalition of Christians and organisations who play a pivotal role in giving the movement a sense of cohesion.

Pastor Chinedum further highlighted the impact of evangelicals, the origin of evangelism, and “the three markers of evangelical identity”, saying the markers include theology and its roots from the 16^th century, citing Martin Luther with his 95 Theses in the year 1517, which emphasises “the authority of Scripture and the preaching of the gospel over the church”. He cited “zeal in belief and proclamation of faith” as another marker, and finally zeroed in on “EFG history and the need for continuity of the evangelic witness”.

Speaking on the Role of Evangelical Professionals in the Mission of the Church, EFG General Secretary Rev Paul Appietu Ampofo Williams coined the mission fields or the harvest ground of soul-winning as the ‘Market place’.

Rev Ampofo Williams highlighted seven mountains of influence for evangelical professionals, saying the seven-mountain-mandate concept calls on believers to take “dominion” and influence the seven key areas believed to shape national culture and align them with evangelical beliefs and values. These key areas, he says, are family, religion, education, business, government, media, and arts and entertainment.

“The Seven Mountain Mandate suggests that if Christians establish influence within these seven areas, they can transform society according to God’s purposes,” he said, veering onto the aspects of evangelical values in the market place, and nurturing evangelical professionals.

“Evangelical professionals at every level and field are very crucial for the completion of the Great Commission,” he affirmed, concluding: “The Church must be intentional and strategic at discipling and mentoring men and women, young and old in the 7 mountains of influence beginning from the Family and Education.”

Speakers at the forum included Bishop Edward Botwe, Resident Bishop at The Poimen Church-Bakau The Gambia, and Pastor Francis Forbes of Abiding Word Ministries, a former Chairman of EFG. The great and landmark occasion was moderated by Pastor John Jatta of CMF.