Preamble

We, the leaders, members and representatives of Australia’s Christian churches and networks dedicate ourselves afresh, in the presence of God, to obey Christ’s command in the Great Commission by praying, proclaiming, and labouring together in unity and love until the whole world hears the everlasting gospel.

We joyfully look forward to the Pentecost season of 2033, which will mark the 2,000-year anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, and the birth of the Church by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

We express our dedication through the following affirmations and commitments.

Affirmations

1. We affirm with joy that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, and that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Holy Scriptures.
2. We affirm that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, yet by God’s grace, all who believe in Christ are justified freely by faith, for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in Christ shall not perish but have eternal life.
3. We affirm that to evangelise is to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, calling all people everywhere to repent and believe, and the Church is central to God’s redemptive mission, for as the Father sent his Son in the power of the Holy Spirit, so we are sent into the world.
4. We affirm that the proclamation of the gospel is the urgent task for the salvation of the world, and we are accountable to sound the warning and obey the final words of Christ found in the Great Commission, which is to make disciples of all nations, baptising and teaching them to obey Christ’s commandments.
5. We affirm that now is the day of salvation and we cannot delay.

Commitments

1. We commit to making the period up to Pentecost 2033 an unprecedented season of collaborative gospel witness and disciple-making in Australia, by proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ across our nation and beyond, ensuring that by Pentecost 2033, every Australian has had the opportunity to hear and respond to God’s saving grace.
2. We commit to using the time between Easter and Pentecost each year for a more intensive season of prayer and evangelism, calling every believer to pray for five people and seek to share the gospel with each one during this period.
3. We commit to equipping and activating every believer to be a witness, holding forth the word of life, aiming initially to train and mobilise 10 per cent* of believers in the joy of sharing the gospel, to gain critical mass for a cultural shift within the Church toward every-believer evangelism, where making disciples becomes a priority for all, using every means available so that everyone in Australia has the opportunity to know and follow Jesus Christ.
4. We commit to striving together as one, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, that we would fulfil the prayer of Jesus, that believers may be one, as they are one with the Father and the Son, so that the world may believe.
5. We commit to raising up prayer, both personally and within the Church, for the salvation of souls — for our families, friends, neighbours and co-workers — not only for the people in Australia but for the whole world, that as we pray and support the sowing of the gospel in other countries, we too shall reap a blessing.

Scriptural Foundation

Psalms 51:12; 133; Proverbs 24:11–12; Ezekiel 33:7–9; Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46–47; John 3:16; 6:68; 9:4; 17:20-21; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; 3:23–24; 5:8; 6:23; 10:14–16; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 9:22; 15:3–4; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Philippians 1:27; 2:15–16; Ephesians 2:8–9; 4:3; 1 Peter 3:15; Jude 2.

Note: While some may view the 10 per cent mobilising figure as too low or too high, this figure is prayerfully offered to Church leaders across Australia as a starting point, urging that any chosen goal be rooted in deep love for Jesus, those needing salvation, and the building up of the Church.