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The head of the Assemblies of God (AOG) Church in Samoa has returned with a spring in his step and renewed vigour to spread the gospel after attending a key meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Rev. Dr. Tavita Pagaialii, General Superintendent of AOG and chairman of Samoa’s Pentecostal Fellowship was part of the Pentecostal delegation worldwide which attended the ecumenical conference.
Under the theme “Witnessing to Christ Today,” the meeting was well attended by Christians from a variety denominations such as Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical and Pentecostal.
The five day conference from June 2-4, 2010 commemorated the 100th anniversary of the 1910 World Mission Conference which took place in the same city.
Edinburgh is widely considered the symbolic starting point of the modern ecumenical movement.
“It is an occasion to review the history of faith and mission over the past century and to look toward the future of world Christianity, with specific emphasis on mission work,” a statement from Dr Pagaiali’i said.
“One of the opening reflections was offered by Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches. He affirmed that “mission and unity belong together.
“To be one in Christ is to witness together to Christ. If there is to be a witness to Christ, there must be a mission movement of the cross. This means that if there is a will to be one in Christ, there must be an ecumenical movement of the
cross.
Nobody needs triumphalistic movements.”
The conference was sponsored by the University of Edinburgh, the Church of Scotland, Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS), the Roman Catholic Church, the Scotland Evangelical Alliance and the general council of Edinburgh 2010.
In the closing ceremony held at the Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland set on The Mound near Edinburgh Castle and St Giles Cathedral, Anglican archbishop of York John Sentamu reminded the conference Jesus told his followers, “You are my witnesses.”
He appealed on behalf of “the crucial importance of Christian witness.”
Archbishop Sentamu said, “Human activity only begets human activity. The prophetic Word and the Spirit make us live.”
Encouragement to exercise loving hospitality towards others and humility in Christian outreach formed the refrains of Edinburgh 2010’s closing celebration.
A “common call” to renewed commitment, affirmed by this year’s conference, was addressed to the Christians of this era and affirmed at the climax of the closing ceremony.
Diversity was clearly on display in the ecclesiastical vestments and national dress worn by worshippers in the Assembly Hall.
Prayers were led in several of the world’s languages, and hymns were sung from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania as well as disparate cultures of Europe. Indian dancers from Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham and an African choir were among the many forms and voices that animated the proceedings.
“The Pentecostal delegation appreciated being part of this great Mission Centennial, where their participation was acknowledged,” said Dr Pagaiali’i.
“It was also an opportunity to observe and learn from other Christian church traditions participated.”
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