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1. SOCIAL MEDIA & MISSIONALITY
Dear Colleagues,
In my Pastoral Letter to you two weeks ago (http://afm-ags.org/category/publications/pastoral-letters/), I mentioned the AFM’s precious calling – to win souls. It is the vision of the church that every member claim their position as missionary, soul winner and “apostolic agent” – making the Great Commission of Jesus Christ their “Personal Commission”. Gone are the days where we have to travel to a foreign and distant country to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. The world is on our doorstep and the “mission field” is closer than we could ever have imagined! This now includes the Internet and social media.
Are you aware of the fact that 21 million South Africans are Internet users? Most of them access the Internet by using their mobile phones and new research indicates that 40% of the South African population were online in 2017 (World Wide Worx, Arthur Goldstuck). These statistics represent a major opportunity for the church, through its members, to interact, connect and build relationships with people who might never have set foot in a church. Imagine 1.4 million AFM members or Kingdom Workers actively spreading and embodying the Gospel online! When we use social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to name a few) it is important to know and understand that what we “post” and how we “post” it, will have an impact on others. As believers our participation reflects our belief in Christ. It gives every follower an opportunity to extend the Kingdom of God online. What a valuable opportunity it is!
But there are also risks that we need to take note of. Behaviour that we should refrain from when we interact and participate on social media. The National Leadership Forum (NLF) approved a Social Media Policy for the AFM that all pastors, governing body members and leaders should take note of. The Policy can be downloaded from the link below:
http://afm-ags.org/category/media/
I would also like to direct your attention to:
The new AFM website: http://afm-ags.org/
And the official AFM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AFMOFSA/
AFM FACEBOOK PAGE: I would like to encourage all our pastors, governing body members, leaders, regional/network committees and departments to connect with us on the official AFM Facebook page. Also encourage our members to join the AFM online missional community. We are looking forward to connect with our leaders and members across South Africa to focus on the precious calling of our church – the Great Commission.
2. EMPOWERED21 AFRICAN CONGRESS AT WOORD & LEWE, BOKSBURG
Download the Registration Form Here:
http://afm-ags.org/category/events/
Today I am sharing an extremely important and strategic event with you – and especially with our AFM Pastors, Governing Body Members, Leaders and Members in and around the Gauteng Province.
Empowered21 is an organization that is helping to shape the future of the Spirit-empowered movement throughout the world. It is open to all Spirit-empowered churches, ministries, organisations, networks and fellowships. The Empowered21 African Congress is a strategic empowerment opportunity that speaks directly into the heart of missionality and the AFM’s “One AFM Game Plan”. The vision of EMPOWERED21 is:
“That every person on earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit…by Pentecost 2033.”
This vision mirrors the Great Commission and connects to the basic vision of every Christian church – and especially every AFM assembly. In attendance will be a wide array of ministry leaders from around the world, including William Wilson (President, Oral Roberts University), George Wood (Chairman, World Assemblies of God Fellowship); Opoku Onyinah (President, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council), Frank Chikane (President, The Apostolic Faith Mission International); Daniel Kolenda (President, Christ for All Nations); Ron Luce (Global Youth Strategist, Generation Next) and many others.
Ten focus areas have been identified for both the main and individual track sessions (that are aligned with the AFM’s missional church strategy):
- Evangelism
- Discipleship
- Prayer networks
- Women’s ministry
- Children’s ministry
- Next Generation Youth Network (NGN)
- Theological scholars
- Advocacy & prophetic leadership
- Humanitarian aid & disaster relief
- Christian Business Network
Through registering for this congress you get the opportunity to be part of network structures (from contintental to national levels) that serve and network with African leaders on each of the focus areas. The idea is to create new connections that will empower the Spirit-filled movement to fulfill the Great Commission.
On Saturday 19 May 2018 the program will focus on inter-generational impartation. All young people, Youth Pastors & Leaders are invited to participate in the sessions hosted by the Next Generation Network (NGN). Local youth that can’t afford to come to the whole Congress are encouraged to buy tickets for the Saturday only at a special youth discounted price of R150. Youth tickets for the Saturday will be available soon.
I want to encourage you to attend this Congress as it will strengthen the overall leadership in your assembly, region, network or department. There is an early and late registration fee. The early bird registration which closes on 31 March 2018 is R1,350.00. After 31 March 2018 registration is R1,500.00. Online registration can be done through i-tickets at https://itickets.co.za/events/383130. The link is also on the Empowered21 official website:
For more information contact:
Ms Lunga: Office 0126440987 Mobile: 0793358971
Past Modise Moatlhodi Mobile:0824494288
Mr Kabelo Ndlovu: Moble: 0832918637
Inviting all Spirit-empowered movements:
3. REGIONAL EMPOWERMENT VISITS 2018
The NOB is looking forward to connect with the remaining regional, network and departmental committee members as well as all our Pastors, their Governing Bodies and other leaders in the church. The aim of these visits is to bring key issues to the leadership of the AFM and includes training, discussions, reflection and feedback sessions.
The key issues for 2018 include a focus on: ● Succession Planning ● Traditional mission paradigm vs. missionality paradigm ● Leadership Development ● Game Plan feedback ● Coaching relationships in regions, networks & departments. Kindly find the remaining dates and venues below:
Blessings!
M.G. Mahlobo