Church, we have a grave and growing problem in the area of missions.

At the turn of the millennium (1990-2000), Singapore was ranked by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary as the number one missionary-sending nation in the world.

Some two decades later, the number of missionaries we have been sending out today has dropped by half.

This was just one of the worrying statistics provided by Antioch 21 Strategic Coordinator, JOSEPH CHEAN, who added that the missionaries of yesteryear are retiring and have no one to pass the baton to.

“Churches that once adopted Unreached People Groups have ‘unadopted’ them,” he shared, adding that Singapore’s missionaries have also become less willing to live, long-term, among the people they are reaching out to.

Reasons like this are why LoveSingapore, in collaboration with The Fellowship of Missional Organisations of Singapore (FOMOS) are convening the ANTIOCH SUMMIT on 7-9 September 2023 at ACS Barker Road Campus.

This missions Summit is being organised to address worrying trends in Singapore’s missions landscape and to officially launch her participation in the global initiative called Decade of Missions (2023-2033).

There’s a lot at stake and a lot to understand, which is why we posed a couple of “blur sotong” questions to Joseph, who helpfully breaks down cheem concepts like “incarnate missions” to lay out why every believer has a role to play in missions for the sake of Gospel.

What happens if nothing changes in the local missions landscape?

Singapore will continue to prosper and our churches will generate more programmes and host more conferences. Our definition of discipleship will change from being missional to being self-preservation.

We will have to redefine the authority of Scriptures and turn away from the biblical mandate to reach the last, the least and the lost…

What will the Singapore Church look like when Singapore turns 100 years old?

How will the Singapore Church define our call to be Antioch?

“I don’t know anything about missions, but I know the Great Commission is important. What can someone like me expect at the Antioch Summit?”

I have served in many missions conferences; the Antioch Summit will have some of the best content yet.

All the speakers are missional practitioners. The topics cover a wide range of missions engagement like:

• Church planting
• Refugee work
• Missions prayer
• Planting missional businesses
• Planting healthcare and educational initiatives

The evenings are also packed with missional encounters and we hope to invite as many missionaries, from 1965 to the present day, to come for the Summit.

We will also be praying for every nation in Asia; it will be a time to wait on God and let Him inspire our hearts to action.

What are incarnate missions?

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” reads John 1:14.

The Message translation says, “the word became flesh and blood and moved into our neighbourhood”.

We (the neighbourhood) have seen the glory (the character of God) of the One who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

A missional Church is the incarnation of Jesus: we reveal Jesus through acts of grace (business, healthcare, education, and so on) and truth (the Good News).

What is the Decade of Missions (2023-2033)?

The Decade of Missions is a vision for the Singapore Church.

2033 is estimated to be 2000 years of the Resurrection, of the Pentecost, of the Early Church. There are global movements targeting 2033 as the year to reach every person on earth with the gospel.

Singapore, as Antioch of Asia, must participate in this global endeavour, to contribute our part to fulfil Christ’s mandate to the global Church.

In simple terms, what does the Antioch Summit hope to achieve?

To see a new wave of missions sending, of all generations, in the next 10 years, into the least reached places, gateway cities, unreached and unengaged in Asia and beyond.

What is one word of encouragement you would give to our younger readers when it comes to the Great Commission?

Most of the disciples were youth and young adults when Jesus commissioned them to go into all the world.

Why? Because young people are courageous and full of vitality.

SIGN UPS ARE NOW OPEN

The ANTIOCH SUMMIT is taking place on 7-9 September 2023 at ACS Barker Road Campus. Registrations are now open — and there are two tracks.

1. SENIOR LEADERS: Senior leaders of local churches and missions agencies should join the Leadership Conference which starts a little earlier on Day 1 (7 Sep, 9am to 5.30pm)
2. ALL OTHERS: For all who are interested, preparing to go, eager to explore. This official programme starts in the evening of Day 1 at 7.30pm

The registration fee for Students and NSFs is $20 and the Adults’ fee is $40.

Come and be a part of the moment where Singapore is re-fired and re-tooled for God’s global missions in the years to come. See you there!