THE Global Christian Forum, held in Limuru near Nairobi, Kenya, was an unprecedented event because of the ecumenical breadth of its participants and discussion. The forum, which had the theme 'Our Journey with Jesus Christ, the Reconciler', was a unique gathering of about 250 leaders from the main Christian traditions and global organisations, representatives coming from 72 countries. One writer described the event as including 'the broadest range of Christian traditions ever represented at a global meeting'. The Salvation Army was represented by Commissioner Linda Bond (International Headquarters), Lieut-Colonel Kenneth Hodder and Major Tiras Mbaja (both Kenya Territory).
The purpose of the Global Christian Forum is to create a new, open space in which a broad range of churches and interchurch organisations can gather in an atmosphere of respect and with a desire to meet common challenges. The event welcomed many Christian traditions that did not belong to any other ecumenical forum but which were given the opportunity to meet and discuss how best to promote dialogue and cooperation in a desire to be a witness in the world today.
Prior to the event in Nairobi, the Global Christian Forum held regional gatherings in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, all attended by Salvation Army representatives. The methodology was the personal sharing of participants' faith journeys and that of their particular church. This effective method of sharing was incorporated into the global event, along with Bible studies, plenaries and group discussions.
The Christian traditions represented at the forum meeting were: African Instituted, Anglican, Baptist, Evangelical, (Roman) Catholic, Disciples (Churches of Christ), Friends, Holiness, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Moravian, Old Catholic, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, The Salvation Army, Seventh-Day Adventist, United and Uniting Churches. A number of Christian international organisations were also represented.
More details about the Global Christian Forum can be found on the website: globalchristianforum.org.
Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations
International Headquarters
