Salvos invited to participate in global reflection on mission and evangelism
- Mar 3
- 4 min read
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
The Salvation Army is partnering with the global church to prepare for the 2028 Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, led by the World Council of Churches’ Commission on World Mission and Evangelism.
Invitations to the 2028 event in Jamaica are extended to 356 church groups from more than 120 nations, representing a total of 580 million Christians across the world. The conference is only held every 10 years,
The proposed theme of reflection for the conference is: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6): Witnessing to the Spirit’s mission to renew, repair, reorder and recreate.
The Commission is entering a three-year process of reflection, discernment and listening as it prepares for 2028. This process seeks to “engage churches, mission bodies, ecumenical organisations and, importantly, communities whose voices have too often been marginalised or silenced”.
Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Auxiliary-Lieutenant Rosy Keane said the upcoming conference was an exciting opportunity to partner worldwide with the ecumenical church. Rosy said the event was being shaped around the motif of ‘Re-storying’, a Spirit-led retelling of the stories that shape faith and mission.
“It invites us to recover and renew narratives that have caused harm or exclusion, to listen deeply to voices from the margins, and to explore together how God is healing, reconciling and restoring right relationships with one another, with Creation and with God,” Rosy said.
Rosy said when thinking about the conference, she felt a genuine sense of anticipation.
“It feels like a beautiful opportunity for The Salvation Army to join with the communal Church around the world, bringing our unique position and purpose into the wider body of Christ,” she said.
“God has given us a distinct calling, a holiness and mission expression that has shaped our movement in powerful ways. I would love to see our voice, and our unique prophetic insight, shared with the wider Church, and for us to mesh with our sisters and brothers across traditions as they share theirs with us.”
Contributions to the conference are particularly encouraged from (but not limited to): Oceania including Pasifika, Māori, First Nations peoples of Australia, Zenadth Kes and South Sea Islanders, as well as from disability networks, Indigenous networks, Dalit communities, youth and student movements, women’s networks, migrant and diaspora communities, and those engaging with justice and creation care.
The Commission is seeking reflections that help discern:
How the Spirit is renewing, repairing, reordering and recreating in communities today
Where signs of God’s new creation are emerging or under threat
How decolonial practices and mission from the margins are shaping Christian witness
How re-storying is restoring truth, dignity, relationship and hope in different contexts
Images: Albin Hillert/WCC
In reflecting on the call for responses, Rosy said when we intentionally seek out the voices of the majority world, diverse cultures, languages, and abilities across our nations and movement, especially those who have not always been given equal platform alongside their sisters and brothers in Christ, “we begin to see a richer and fuller picture of the Christ we love and serve”.
“I find myself reflecting on how rare voices in Scripture often carry particular richness,” Rosy said. “When something is rare, we study it carefully. We drill down into it like a vein of diamonds or rubies. In scholarship and church life, platforms and positions have often been passed on, sometimes unintentionally, to those who already hold privilege, power, or influence.
“I want to say this clearly: your voice in the room counts. Your voice in the Church counts. We cannot see all the stars in the galaxy with our naked eye, yet Scripture tells us that God calls each one forth by name. In the same way, God knows and calls each of you across our movement, across The Salvation Army Australia, and across the global Church.
“However you are connected to The Salvation Army, whatever your journey toward Jesus Christ who loves you, whatever your vision, perspective, culture, or experience, there is something entrusted to you. I would love to see that shared with the communal Church. I believe it will be as beautiful and majestic as the Milky Way, and perhaps we will get to experience that wonder together.”
Responses may take many forms, and written reflections, theological resources, stories of practice, liturgical or contextual materials, video or audio submissions and other creative expressions are all welcome.
An early or initial response by 31 March 2026 has been requested to help shape pre-conference activity throughout the rest of the year. Rosy has requested that those who would like to participate send through a copy of their submission by this date.
Some contributors may be invited into further online seminars, regional hearings or conference participation. Registration information for the 2028 conference will be available in 2027.
If you would like to make a contribution and are from The Salvation Army Australia, please send your response directly to: rosy.keane@salvationarmy.org.au
