Jesus wept over Jerusalem with some of the most empathetic language in Scripture (Luke 19:41-44). Following Jesus means learning His heart of compassion for those who live in the crowded metropolises of today—understanding their needs, studying their habits, and yes, weeping for their condition if they are without a saving relationship with Him.
Homes of Hope and Healing
Ellen G White elaborated on what she termed “centers of influence” in the many communities that make up a city. These centers of influence can be churches, bookstores/reading rooms, various street ministries, vegetarian restaurants, educational entities, community service centers, health education centers, or clinics. Also encouraged are new and creative outreach methods of community service or Internet-based witnessing strategies that target special communities. (Free download for Homes of Hope and Healing at women.adventist.org.)
Outreach Is for Everyone
This year the massive evangelistic outreach in New York City is part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Mission to the Cities initiative. This comprehensive evangelistic approach blends Biblical principles with the practical, divinely inspired counsels of the Spirit of Prophecy to reach people living in these urban centers with Jesus’ end-time message of hope. For more information on NY13, go to www.ny13.org. (Free download of Outreach Is for Everyone at women.adventist.org.)
Invitation
Jesus invites us to participate in His mission with Him. There can be no higher honor and no greater privilege. Let us together pray for the fulfillment of the messenger of the Lord’s promise, “When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed” (Ellen G White, Medical Ministry, p. 304). May that day come soon and may we experience the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in New York and the great metropolitan centers of the world where you are.
Every Woman Involved in Every Possible Outreach
“Sisters, we may do a noble work for God if we will. Woman does not know her power. God did not intend that her capabilities should be all absorbed in questioning: What shall I eat? what shall I drink? and wherewithal shall I be clothed? There is a higher purpose for woman, a grander destiny. She should develop and cultivate her powers, for God can employ them in the great work of saving souls from eternal ruin” (Ellen G White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol 4, p. 642).
Mission to the Big Cities
Church leaders at every level of church organization have identified 630 major cities to focus their evangelistic energies and resources during the next three years.
Cities identified for urban ministry emphasis by division:
- East-Central Africa Division: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Euro-Asia Division: Kiev, Ukraine; and Moscow, Russia.
- Inter-American Division: Mexico City; Caracas, Venezuela; and Bogotá, Colombia.
- Inter-European Division: Prague, Czech Republic; Geneva, Switzerland; Hamburg and Munich, Germany; and Vienna, Austria.
- North American Division: New York City.
- Northern Asia-Pacific Division: Tokyo, Japan.
- South American Division: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- South Pacific Division: Sydney, Australia; Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division: Luanda, Angola.
- Southern Asia Division: Mumbai, India.
- Southern Asia-Pacific Division: Manila, Philippines.
- Trans-European Division: London, United Kingdom.
- West-Central Africa Division: Lagos, Nigeria.
Sources:
Ted Wilson, “Big, Cities---Bigger Vision,” Adventist World, October 10, 2012, www.adventistworld.org/article/1107/resources/english/issue-201-1010/big-cities-bigger-vision. Mark Finley, “A Miracle in the Making,”www.nadministerial.org/article/499/public-evangelism-resoures/articles/a-miracle-in-the-making.
