|TOP|The head of the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church has stressed the passion for mission that comes from Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and his Resurrection at Easter weekend.

The Rev R. Randy Day, chief mission executive of the Global Ministries, said the symbols of Easter, the Cross and the empty tomb, Golgotha and the garden of resurrection, are “real places, places of encounter between God and humanity – first in pain, then in new life”.

He said: “The pathways from the cross and the empty tomb always lead into Christian mission--into Christian witness and service in a world of need and uncertainty.”

|QUOTE|Quoting the commands from Jesus in Matthew 28:19, John 21:15 – 17 and Acts 1:8 to spread the message of the Gospel, Rev Day said: “These passages give us mandates that stretch across the centuries and define the nature and purpose of The United Methodist Church today.

"From the very start, the Christian community was told by Jesus to look beyond itself—to be bearers of good news and loving service, to continue the ministry and mission of Jesus...everywhere...forever.

“Jesus preached and taught, healed and fed, changed and forgave sinners, defended the oppressed, challenged oppressors, proclaimed peace, championed justice and mercy, and looked evil in the face and was not afraid. Our mission is to follow Him and witness to His example.

|AD|“The pathways from Golgotha and the garden of resurrection lead into Christian mission. The strength to take the mission road comes from God whose grace and love can never be killed or reduced.”

Earlier in the month, Rev Day warned that only a genuine passion for mission can assure a strong future for the Church.

“Mission is the heartbeat of the Church,” the Rev. R. Randy Day told directors of the General Board of Global Ministries, meeting in their semi-annual meeting in Stamford.

“I am convinced that only a love of God and action through mission can draw us together,” he said.

Speaking of local churches that may be struggling to find their futures, he said: “We know that a congregation in mission is a congregation with a future; a congregation that is not engaged in mission is in trouble—deep trouble.”