EMQ » January–March 2020 » Volume 56 Issue 1
By David Hupp
At the close of the Tokyo 2010 Global Mission Consultation in May of 2010, the one thousand international delegates took a decisive step to adopt the Tokyo Declaration as a commitment and guiding document for Great Commission obedience and collaboration. That declaration ended with these words:
To facilitate cooperation and on-going coordination between mission structures worldwide, we agree to the necessity of a global network of mission structures.
For years missiologist Ralph Winter expressed the need for a global-level association of mission agencies. Accordingly, he closely engaged with the planning of Tokyo 2010 with the hopes that the consultation would launch such a global network. Holding the conference was the easy part. Fulfilling of the vision for a functioning, effective, and lasting global network was the harder work. As a response to this challenge, The Global Great Commission Network – Carrying Tokyo 2010 Forwardlaunched in August 2011. Since then, the Global Great Commission Network (GGCN)has been working to put the promises and expectations of Tokyo 2010into practice with the Tokyo Declaration as its foundation for global cooperation.
The reality of global connectivity has changed the missions world greatly since Dr. Winter spoke of a “global-level association.” In response, the Tokyo 2010 planning committee opened up the Tokyo 2010 Consultation to include churches and individuals. GGCN continues that emphasis.
The Tokyo Declaration ended with a pledge that reads in part:
We confess that we have not always valued each other or each other’s work. We repent of those wrongs and will endeavor to bring an end to competition where it exists, and reconcile where there is hurt, misunderstanding and mistrust… We will respect all mission-engaging individuals and groups as special vessels for God’s glory, each endowed with abilities that extend His Kingdom in multiple ways… we recognize that finishing the task will demand effective cooperative efforts of the entire global body of believers.
GCCN exists upon this foundation of confession, repentance, and vision.
GGCN Values
Tokyo 2010 was intended to be the beginning of a movement to see all peoples discipled in our generation. GGCN seeks to serve mission associations, agencies, churches, individuals, networks, and other ministries globally who share this vision.
We exist to champion the redemptive cause of Christ and the means by which his followers participate – making disciples among all peoples of the world. Providing a place for like-minded Great Commission individuals and endeavors to connect, communicate, and collaborate summarizes our core purpose. As stated in the Tokyo Declaration, finishing the task demands the effective cooperation of the entire global body of believers.
We believe in the necessity of collaboration. Its synergistic power moves us towards the completion of the Great Commission. We seek to serve and support other networks and ministries. We endeavor to end to existing competition, and to reconcile hurts, misunderstandings, and the root causes of mistrust.
GGCN acknowledges both the breadth (all peoples) and depth (making disciples) of the unfinished task and pledges to champion and obey the Great Commission, seeking to find unreached, overlooked, ignored, or forgotten people. Understanding that today’s Church and mission force are global, never in the history of man has it been more imperative to recognize the different but important parts of that global Body and humbly submit our best ideas to be improved by others.
Our Passion
The diversity of the global Church necessitates that GGCN be grassroots and inclusive. Our desire is to see connection, communication, and collaboration occurring on a local level. We are neither a top-down nor Western-driven. We develop local expressions of GGCN around the globe to catch and implement our collaborative vision. This means we encourage local GGCN representatives and local Christians to form strategic relationships, even with those who represent diverse missions.
GGCN Services
While most GGCN activity is initiated at the local, grassroots level, there are a growing number of tools that GGCN provides free of charge to Great Commission workers and ministries.
We currently offer the following:
Tokyo 2010 Follow-up
GGCN maintains the archives of the Tokyo 2010 Global Mission Consultation on its website (ggcn.org). This includes Tokyo 2010 videos and pictures, papers, presentations, and reviews. The Tokyo Declaration, which GGCN has continued to promote, is also on the site in several translations. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to “sign” the Tokyo Declaration online. Over the years hundreds have pledged themselves and/or their organizations to the commitments of the Tokyo Declaration.
Connect
Connect is a secure platform designed to facilitate
ongoing conversations between various entities which can lead to collaboration.
It includes group discussions, information sharing, and much more. All
registrations are screened carefully to verify that authentic interest in Great
Commission activities.
It is also a place that introduces individuals to the mission world’s various components. Through Connect, users find resources, information, relations, and tools to help them fulfill their vision.
Lastly, it is also a platform for ministries to promote their calling and work, learn and glean from others, and share their resources.
Discipleship Survey
In alignment with the vision of discipling all peoples, GGCN’s website has an online discipleship survey for individuals or groups that provides instant feedback on one’s understanding and practice of evangelism and discipleship.
Other Tools and Plans
Great potential for sharing and learning from each other exists in GCCN. We desire to give access to the emerging global voices that we all need to learn from. We seek to expand the cooperative efforts built around unreached people groups, bringing missionaries, pastors, churches, agencies, networks, businessmen and more together to proactively cooperate to see unreached people groups reached. With that end in mind, regional representatives hold local training events that draw pastors and mission workers, many of whom don’t have access to or ability to connect and hear from others online or otherwise.
Closing
The Tokyo Declaration ends with a pledge:
Therefore, as representatives of this generation’s global mission community, we pledge to obey the Great Commission. We covenant together to use all that God has entrusted to us in this obedience. We will seek to know where people are unreached, overlooked, ignored, or forgotten.
God
requires this generation to match the reality of the unfinished task before us with
a willingness to humbly collaborate, even sacrificially, as together we rely on
the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and bless our efforts in his redemptive mission.
To be part of the growing GGCN family around the world: visit our website (ggcn.org), Register on Connect (connect.ggcn.org), Sign up to receive our periodic newsletters (lp.constantcontact.com/su/w57Vie5), or email info@ggcn.org.
____________
David M. Hupp serves as coordinator of the GGCN Global Steering Team. A background in business (MBA) and as a CPA, led to a career in mission administration and leadership. He served ten years with Helps Ministries and has been a part of Beyond for over thirty years. He served as the Tokyo 2010 Global Mission Consultation registrar and administrator and has been part of the Global Great Commission Network since its founding in 2011.
