|PIC1|The chief organiser of a historic mission conference in Edinburgh next year is optimistic the gathering will achieve “lasting good” for world Christianity.

Edinburgh 2010 will bring together 250 mission leaders from across the globe when it takes place in the Scottish capital next June. Another 900 local and international visitors will join in a time of worship on the last day.

The five-day conference commemorates the centenary of the 1910 World Missionary Conference, during which 1,200 Protestant missionaries deliberated the prospects for world evangelisation.

Edinburgh 2010 will be joined by representatives of the Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions, including the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, who will deliver a keynote address.

Organisers say they hope new perspectives for Christian mission in the 21st century will emerge.

Chair of the Edinburgh 2010 General Council and minister at the city’s Greenside Parish Church, the Rev Andrew Anderson, said Edinburgh 2010 was “unprecedented” in the spread of denominations coming together to envision world mission.

“This is a complex and challenging event to organise given the wide range of representation from the world church, but it is immensely exciting and we have received already the kind of worldwide support and commitment that promises to make it really successful,” he said.

“All eyes will be on Scotland and Edinburgh next June which is a huge honour for us, and a great opportunity to do something of lasting good as together we witness to Christ today.”

Conference proceedings will be broadcast online, while a global online discussion has already been set up on Facebook, Twitter and the Edinburgh 2010 website.

Organisers are also encouraging churches worldwide to join in the celebrations by hosting their own events.

On the web: www.edinburgh2010.org