Summer 2003 Rapport: Thoughts from the Prez
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Believing in the Gospel...And Living by It
 The
eminent British mission statesman Lesslie Newbigin once asked, “How is it possible
that the gospel should be credible, that people should come to believe that the power
which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross? I
am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation
of men and women who believe it and live by it.”
That powerful statement by Newbigin has been a source of great challenge for me. It speaks
of the power of the gospel to create a community of redeemed people who actually demonstrate
the reality of the gospel in human terms. At AGTS we firmly believe in the power of local
congregations. We are committed to the formation of the leaders necessary to plant and
develop these life-giving entities.
When I think of the current global turmoil and the statistics that reveal the level of
challenge we now face, I rejoice that I can be president at AGTS at this time. While the
world news may report unspeakable tragedy, there is a cadre of emerging leaders at AGTS
who are rising to the challenge. They believe that the Jesus Christ who hung on the cross
and rose from a grave does have the last word in human history! They believe that communities
of people who faithfully follow Jesus and are empowered by the Spirit are the answer to
the cauldron of challenge our world presents.
Lesslie Newbigin was right: The gospel is powerful and the Church is the visible interpreter
of the gospel. At AGTS we train real men and women who will lead the task of church planting
and shepherding. It’s a great day to be at AGTS—it’s a great day to see
God’s mighty hand at work in the world through Pentecostal leaders passionately committed
“to believe in the gospel and live by it.”
Updated:
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 2:16 PM
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