 How On the Move works
Everywhere, there are some common principles or values which we feel the Lord has given us – and which ‘work’ in every culture, in all continents, where this kind of mission has been undertaken. These are:
- Churches working together in unity
- The ordinary believers of these churches mobilised for mission
- The offer of free food, which attracts hundreds of passers-by (thousands over a three or four day period)
- A commitment to love the people who come as our guests
- A servant heart, whereby the free food is a symbol of our desire (and God’s desire) to bless our guests in every way
- Ministry to our guests’ needs, in the power of the Holy Spirit – praying for physical healing, broken relationships and other needs
- Worship, which fills the air, bringing a wonderful sense of the presence of God
- An opportunity for people to give their lives to Christ.
These missions normally happen out of doors, in the town centre – preferably in a very public place, with chairs and tables spread out like an outdoor café, worship filling the air. (We often have three or four acoustic worship bands at different points, praising God, as other team members go up to passers by and say “Can I invite you to a free barbecue?”).
But this can also happen indoors. In countries where the churches experience persecution and street mission in not possible, people have been invited into a hall or other building in which a meal was served, worship filled the air, people’s needs were prayed for and the Gospel was explained – all the same, except inside. In one country, the mission took place on a cruise boat!
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What we have experienced
All over the world, we have found that:
- There is a tremendous welcome as the churches decide to reach out and give
- Church members volunteer to take part in large numbers (often hundreds!)
- There is a great excitement as team members discover that God can use them
- The celebration in a mission (and there is much!) is all about what God did, rather than what the team did – it is just so exciting to see God move!
- There have been many healings and other signs of God’s blessing – and thousands of lives have been changed
- Follow-up is generally positive, as people love to feel loved – which has been the experience of so many in these missions
- Church unity is greatly enhanced as the people of God discover that they are indeed truly one
- The nations working together provides a significant additional dynamic – we believe this is also a key part of “what the Father is doing”
- Generally, groups of churches tend to do it again (and other mission activity is also spawned); national movements have been formed, or are being formed, in over 20 countries.
- As the church “arises”, God’s glory really does rise upon us! Jesus’ glory came most specifically through his self-sacrificial love (therefore at the name of Jesus every knee will bow” – Philippians 2); and it still does, as the church learns to give of itself and take the part of a servant.
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