Madrid Missions Conference Aims at Next Generation

The World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF) hosted its fifth World Missions Conference at Nueva Vida (New Life) Church, Oct. 18-20, in Madrid, Spain.

Missionaries, leaders and representatives from more than 90 nations participated, rallying under the slogan, “The Future is Calling: Raising Up the Next Generation.”

“Amid practical workshops and useful seminars, U.S. Assemblies of God General Superintendent Doug Clay’s message stood out as a powerful challenge to depend on Spirit empowerment for mission achievement,” says Omar Beiler, U.S. Assemblies of God World Missions regional director for Eurasia. “The response was enthusiastic, and leaders from around the world embraced a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit.”

Greg Mundis, executive director of Assemblies of God World Missions USA, also spoke at the event, as did George O. Wood, chairman of the WAGF and former U.S. AG general superintendent.

“We are not here to celebrate ourselves, but to encourage us to finish the task of going and making disciples of all nations,” Wood stated.

The event was historic, standing as the first ever combined missions conference of the WAGF and the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF).

The PWF established its World Missions Commission in 2005, having also hosted conferences every three years since 1947.

Madrid was chosen to host the 2018 conference for several reasons, including its easy accessibility from many nations and its economical practicality. Also, Spain is home to vibrant indigenous Assemblies of God churches — some of the fastest-growing churches in Europe.

“This is the fifth World Missions Congress of the Assemblies of God, but it is the first with such a level of representation in Europe,” stated Juan Carlos Escobar, president of the Federation of the Assemblies of God Spain. “We need to prepare to relay and pass the baton to the new generations, to reverse the trend of secularization in Europe.”

“It is a part of the vision of the WAGF Missions Commission, as well as the WAGF Executive Council, that every General Council of the Assemblies of God around the world have a missions vision and missions sending program or structure,” affirms Wood. “We know that in this strategic harvest the Lord is truly answering our prayer, ‘Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers into His Harvest’ (Luke 10:2). God is calling workers not only from the traditional senders, such as Western Europe, North America, and Oceania, but also today from Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia.”

In March 2020, the eighth congress of the WAGF — “Unlimited: Unleashing Our Potential” —will also be hosted in Madrid.