20/20 VISION
If you are interested in becoming a 20/20 Vision partner join our
website community at: www.Global2020Vision.com
20/20 Vision Partnership Campaign:
The name “20/20 Vision” is taken from both the year of completion as well as the goal described in the scripture reference, Romans 15:20–21, “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand”-- that all peoples would have perfect 20/20 vision in terms of their understanding of the gospel message presented to them through the media tools.
Mission Statement:
“To produce and distribute an indigenous evangelistic audio-visual tool for every one of the Least Evangelized Mega Peoples (L.E.M.P.) by the year 2020, so that all can clearly see and understand the gospel message and embrace it as their own.”
Steps to Finishing this Task:
1. Identify which groups on the list who already have an indigenous gospel media presentation in their heart language. (we know of at least 60 groups who already have these tools)
2. Identify the list of L.E.M.P. who have no culturally and linguistically appropriate gospel and mobilization media, download the LEMP list
3. Each ministry and/or mission agency adopts and prepares for engaging their ten people groups. A proposed schedule for completion of the media tool is submitted to all. This endeavor may include training of teams of volunteers. (Create International can offer such training).
4. A special Ning Internet forum is created exclusively for those within the partnership for sharing resources and accountability.
5. Training developed to prepare teams to produce culturally and linguistically appropriate Gospel presentations (some options for this are already in place).
6. Establish a 20/20 Vision office and clearinghouse to monitor progress.
7. Launch the 20/20 Vision plan by January 2011.
8. At the end of the year 2020, gather all partners to evaluate the strategy and celebrate what God has done!
Thus, it is possible that in ten years, in partnership together, we could produce a contextual evangelistic media tool for every one of the Least Evangelized Mega Peoples (164). If we were successful in partnering together with at least ten ministries and/or mission agencies each producing at least one more L.E.M.P. contextual evangelistic tool per year, we could finish this task by the year 2020!
Concluding Remarks and Challenge
As Christians we stand at a very important point in human history and the evangelization of the world. While we carefully select the most effective technologies for each context, there is an even larger movement toward integrating the technologies themselves. The “convergence” of television, satellite, mobile telecommunications, and the Internet is sparking a revolution in how we see and interact with our world. It launches the world into an unprecedented free-flow of information that will dwarf the effect experienced by the invention of the printing press! Almost overnight, the simplest evangelistic websites could have an international ministry. Those who have a presence on the Internet now, will be first in line to reap the rewards. All of this has brought the gospel closer than ever before to over a billion people. As Christians we stand at a very important point in human history and the evangelization of the world.
The apostle Paul’s ambition and devotion to God’s call to extend the kingdom of God ignited a passion in him that could not be quenched, a passion that drove him to the frontiers. Passion and determination are two keys to being an effective communicator: passion for the Lord and his heart to reach all peoples, and determination to keep pressing on despite obstacles. We must never give up until all peoples have heard! Media production can be relatively expensive and time consuming, but when the goal is clear, the creativity, energy and resourcefulness are released to get the job done effectively! As communicators of the good news, we must constantly be seeking to utilize all forms of technology to ensure wider and more effective communication of our message worldwide. Communicators must work hard to choose the appropriate media to communicate a contextualized message for salvation, discipleship, and community transformation. All the passion and determination in the world still falls short unless our ministries are anointed, and only humility will generate the blessing of God. He wants our involvement, using all of our gifts, by all possible means, to bring all the nations the greatest story ever told. Following Paul’s example, let’s take the gospel to all peoples, discipling all nations.
Also, let’s take full advantage of all the multiplicity of media forms, ask God for new insight and creativity, and together with Him create new communication tools that will bring salvation and transformation to the unreached. God has millions of new ways to reach the peoples of this earth, and He will give them to us if we seek him earnestly. The apostle Paul’s words ring true for us today -- “so that by all possible means, some might be saved” (1 Cor. 9:22).
In discipling all nations, and finishing the task of world evangelization, we desire to follow the admonitions of the apostle Paul: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: ‘Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand’” (Rom. 15:20–21).
Submitted by
Calvin and Carol Conkey
www.createinternational.com, www.indigitech.net
Footnotes
1 Joshua Project Website
2 Paul Eshleman, “A North Star Report”
3 Todd Johnson, editor, Atlas of Global Christianity, Edinburgh Press 2009, p.306.
4 Web evangelism Bulletin, 2009
References
Eshleman, Paul. “A North star report,” Lausanne Strategy Working Group Report, 2008.
Sogaard, Viggo. “Media in Church and Mission.” William Carey Library, 1993.
Center for the Study of Global Christianity, Least Evangelised Mega People List.
