In the Gospel, witness has a triple dimension to be held together. In words, through the proclamation of the death and resurrection of Christ. In deeds: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Math 5:16). By the relationships we have with one another: "By the love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples. (John 13:35).
Witness through words
For Keila (Youth With A Mission, YWAM) the example of the Samaritan woman shows the importance of the word. It only took one conversation with Jesus for her to understand that he is the Messiah. We can testify about our experiences, but the important thing is to testify about what Jesus did and about his resurrection.
"When I understood this, I learned the Gospel of Luke by heart. The power of the Word remains today. Witnessing to the Word through our own words brings transformation," she says.
Witness through relationships
Maria Elizabeth Mendoza recounts the experience of young women during the Second World War who put God first in their lives and started the Focolare Movement. By making a 'pact of mutual love' they realised that Jesus was among them, according to his promise: 'where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them' (Mat 18:20).
She is accompanied by Tatiana who shares how she has been touched by the love of Jesus through friendship in a youth group. A group that also engages in practical action among the indigenous people.
Keila (Youth With A Mission) and Tatiana (Focolare)
Witness through works
We had asked Bishop Timothy of the Greek Orthodox Church to speak about witness through works, particularly his work with refugees from Venezuela, but he was unable to attend. We then gave the floor to Michael Arteen, a JC2033 ambassador from Egypt, who encouraged us to pray for the witness of Christians in a Muslim context where "the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church". In the afternoon, a workshop led by Yaco Pecora (Focolare) and Martin Hoegger (JC2033) explored the relationship between dialogue and witness.
Witnessing together on the road to 2033
For Olivier Fleury, the great challenge is witnessing to young people and children. Through the medias, they risk turning in on themselves. To reach them, witness in unity is essential.
He is pleased that several organisations have decided to join forces on the road to 2033. Last December, in New York, some twenty evangelical and Pentecostal missions signed a common commitment to evangelisation (read here). Furthermore, in February of this year, in Rome, the same commitment was signed by 79 organisations, most of them Catholic, within the framework of the "Global 2033" movement (read here).
Formerly in charge of the "Alpha Course" for the French-speaking world, O. Fleury draws particular attention to the initiative of the Anglican pastor Nicky Gumbel, who calls for "Vision 2033", through this ecumenical course (see https://youtu.be/Mdbqvo6bOb8 )
The youngest participants in the Gathering!
Mission in unity
To conclude this theme of witness, a round table discussion brought together prof. Carlos Ham (Director of the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Matanzas, Cuba), Pastor Edgar Castaño (President of the Evangelical Federation of Colombia, CEDECOL) and Father Raúl Ortiz Toro (Director of the Department for the Promotion of Unity and Dialogue of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia). Here are two of the questions they were asked.
What do you think is the main message that the Church should proclaim to the world today?
For R. Toro, it is the transforming power of Christ that calls Christians to meet him personally and to live coherently. For E. Castaño, it is the message of hope born of Christ's resurrection in a world of confusion. C. Ham, who was director of the evangelisation department of the World Council of Churches (WCC), recalls a document of that body which defines the heart of evangelism as the proclamation of hope through the glorious resurrection of Christ.
The second question is more personal:
On my journey, what has evangelised me and how?
What evangelised R. Toro was the testimony of a Christian. It made him understand the importance of witnessing, which is never easy. Castaño's father was an atheist and his mother a believer. This confrontation strengthened his faith. The same goes for his philosophy studies, which were lived in an atheist atmosphere, followed by studies in theology. C. Ham was evangelised by the women of his church, when most of the pastors had left Cuba after the communist revolution. At the WCC, he also learned not to pit evangelicals (with their passion for evangelism) against "ecumenicals" (with their passion for justice). "We need to work together, which this meeting in Cathagena is happily doing," he concludes.
From left to right: Father Raúl Ortiz Toro, Pastor Edgar Castaño and Prof. Carlos Ham,
On the question of mission in unity, R. Toro underlines the current importance of the theme of "synodality", proposed by Pope Francis. It means "being on the way together", also with other churches. The latter said: "It is by our witness and by going together in community that we show Jesus".
This phrase appeals to E. Castaño and corresponds to what he wants to live. He recalls a meeting with the Pope in Rome, where he told him that the Catholic Church must return to the Word of God. Francis agreed with him and invited him to take care of the common house that is the Church. For C. Ham, these words mean: "If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together with others"!
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This theme of witnessing ends with a joyful theatrical performance by the young people of YWAM, who, with large puppets, convey Christ's call to witness.
At the morning prayer, Fr Raul Toro recalled that the philosopher Nietzsche looked for the joy of the resurrection in the faces of Christians. Do we reflect this joy? He concluded with this prayer: "Lord, give us to reflect your joy and to do everything for your glory!
Martin Hoegger
