13 December 2016 | St Albans, UK [Raafat Kamal] In his Christmas message, Trans-European Division president, Raafat Kamal shares his 2016 highlights and his hopes for the coming year.
Looking back, he says, one of his greatest joys has been seeing the myriad ways in which, “our young people, our church members, our children, are rising to the challenge to make God known in Europe.” While that includes the vast variety of mission filled reports and videos he has seen on the TED website, he stated how particularly pleased he was to see the way youth in Poland and elsewhere have engaged with their communities to share the faith of Desmond Doss during the release of the film, Hacksaw Ridge.
On a sadder note, Kamal reflected on how, as a church community, we pull together when tragedy happens. “We work together and celebrate the successes, but embrace each other when we have the challenges. We are a family” he said.
Kamal is optimistic as he looks to the future. “As long as the heart is right and the intentions are good I believe we will get there,” he says. He looks for both a generosity of spirit and a safe space for those with divergent viewpoints on some issues.
His message is one of ‘embracing change’. This is not something that he finds natural for himself. “There is something wired in our DNA that resists change,” Kamal notes, “but considering our message, and living in 21st century Europe, we cannot afford not to change.” Scanning the creation story, the fall, Jesus and the Gospels, he notes that “we see change like a wrecking ball, knocking down walls of hostility between us and the Father.” He clearly sees the Holy Spirit as an agent of change, noting the difference that Spirit-filled Christians can make across Europe in 2017.
“I am hoping that in our journey in 2017, in the forefront, is Jesus Christ,” he concludes. “There is a whole generation in Europe that has not heard about Jesus Christ… We really have a responsibility to bring that message of hope, that Christmas message.” [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, director; Esti Pujic, editor
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