Exalting the name of God among all nations – The pursuit of this goal calls for a life that measures success in sometimes surprising terms. Take J. D. Crowley for example. J. D., a guest speaker at Northland’s Missions Conference, shared with conference attendees about his ministry in an Asian nation. For J. D., whose work brings him in contact with people groups that do not possess any portion of Scripture in their native languages—some, even, who speak languages that do not yet have a written alphabet, success is Bible translation, one book at a time. Or it is one church plant in a city of thousands or a church with an indigenous pastor. Possibly, it is the salvation of one person in the midst of people groups numbering in the tens of thousands with no gospel witness. Ultimately, it is the exaltation of the name of God in an area of the world that, in many cases, has not yet heard His name.
“Exalt His Name among All Nations.” Northland’s Missions Conference of 2010 centered upon this one theme and its far-reaching implications. Implications that have demanded the sacrifice of security, familiarity, and safety. Implications that have led some into obscure locations across the globe. Implications that promise great victory. For all who have dedicated themselves to the fulfillment of this call, it means abundant lives of abandonment to God and His calling.
The conference began with a Moroccan-themed banquet to welcome our guests, and the evening concluded with the testimony of a fellow believer who has persevered through hardship for the cause of Christ in a region of the world hostile to the Gospel. Throughout the week, guests and speakers continued to deliver testimonies and challenges from believers working to exalt the name of God, world over: in central Asia, Zambia, northern Africa, and New York City; in nations, cities, and villages. Students, faculty, and staff enjoyed mingling with missionaries serving in nearly every area of the world.
Perhaps the greatest highlight of the week, however, was the meeting that revealed the findings of the Great Commission Summit. This final summit, held on the Friday and Saturday preceding Missions Conference, included delegates from and provided the climax to a series of Round Table meetings. These Round Table meetings have drawn together over one hundred believers in five cities of the world to discuss the current task of the gospel-bearing believer in a world growing increasingly gospel-hostile. The Round Table delegates over the course of this year considered the role of “tentmaking,” a creative solution to the problem of accessing these difficult nations. The meeting hosted during Missions Conference presented the results of the extended discussion. Few other events could so aptly conclude a week focused on the call to exalt His name among all nations.
Essentially, the gospel-bearing task results in magnification of God in every area of the world. Though earthly powers may oppose the Gospel, their opposition can be only temporary; for we are called with the assurance of eternal, complete victory. With reverence, with boldness, with assurance, we can answer the call to exalt His name among all nations. And so, Missions Conference 2010, the highlight of Northland’s calendar year, emphasized this call.