Dear Editor,
While we were grateful for the coverage that en gave in January, February and March this year to Life ’26 mission, I must express disappointment with your negative presentation of it last month. Your article, entitled “Nationwide mission brings mixed results”, followed the publication of our Insights & Impact Interim report.
You did mention some of the exciting positive statistics: for example, that 49% of survey respondents reported at least one sign-up to evangelistic course during or after their mission or 38% of survey respondents reported one or more new people attending their Sunday services following their church’s mission. However, the presentation of the report as “mixed results” with the focus of your article on the number (or not) of “conversions” as if that is a measure of the success of the Life ’26 mission was theologically questionable. Sadly it detracted from the hard work of hundreds of churches and thousands of Christians who laboured to make Christ known.
Actually, 76% of respondents highly rated the value of a nationwide mission and churches reported that Life ’26 helped strengthen the evangelistic culture and normalised gospel conversations. A rising tide lifts all boats.
In similar missional context Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 4v5 to “judge nothing before the appointed time”. We can’t convert people but we can faithfully share the gospel, and to that end we can be very encouraged that Life ’26 led to many more people hearing of the Lord Jesus. The final “results” won’t be seen until the last day but in the meantime please can many more of us be encouraged to keep sharing the gospel and pray for that seed to grow for His glory!
Yours sincerely,
Spencer Shaw
Chair of Trustees APFL
