Theological Education Accelerating the Great Commission Thinking - Louie Naidoo [A South African Story]

Louie Naidoo shares how conversations from the Lausanne 4 Congress inspired renewed thinking in his theological institution, mobilizing missional thinking. Representing the South African Theological Seminary (SATS) and his denomination, Louie recounts how God used his experience to highlight critical mission gaps, ignite academic dialogue, and mobilize future leaders for the Great Commission.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
It's such a privilege to greet you from Durban, South Africa.
My name is Louie Naidoo and I serve as a pastor of a local church called the Evangelical Bible Church here in Queensboro, Durban.
.998I also have the privilege of serving at the South African Theological Seminary called SATS here in South Africa and a privilege it is to serve God's people here on the continent and abroad. 4 00:00:29,253.998 --> 00:00:39,893.997 I was really overawed and inspired over this year for the opportunity I had to attend Lausanne 4 Congress. 5 00:00:40,198.998 --> 00:00:41,238.998 in Seoul, Korea. 6 00:00:41,908.998 --> 00:00:45,898.998 It was my first time attending such an international global gathering. 7 00:00:46,758.998 --> 00:00:53,698.998 heard of Lausanne through my theological studies and had been exposed to much of what takes place at Lausanne but never had the opportunity. 8 00:00:54,468.998 --> 00:01:08,898.997 I must say it was a very tremendous opportunity opening my mind to understanding the global mission of the church and how God wants to use us as individuals and as a church to work together to achieve the Great Commission. 9 00:01:09,898.997 --> 00:01:24,738.997 I had the privilege of attending on behalf of my denomination, but with that being said, I also serve at SATS, and SATS was excited that I would be attending together with the Academic Dean and the Operational Manager, both Vice Principals. 10 00:01:25,738.997 --> 00:01:37,888.997 I did not realize that when we returned from Lausanne that we would be given the opportunity, each one of us, a day, to report back on our experiences at Lausanne. 11 00:01:38,888.997 --> 00:01:50,868.997 I thought that I would have the opportunity to report back to my denomination, which I did, but the opportunity to report to the greater body of Jesus Christ through the seminary was a wonderful privilege. 12 00:01:51,868.997 --> 00:01:57,758.997 It's also amazing that each one of us shared a different aspect of something that impacted our lives. 13 00:01:58,758.997 --> 00:02:15,28.995 And since the academic dean went first, she had the wonderful opportunity of painting the wonderful picture of declaring and displaying Christ together and touched on the different gaps that were that were worked through at the Lausanne conference. 14 00:02:16,28.995 --> 00:02:21,758.995 And was followed a day or two later by the operationals manager and then myself. 15 00:02:22,758.995 --> 00:02:36,418.996 So fortunately, I had a much greater role to play in the gap where I found myself, which was Gap 19, the people on the move, and had shared extensively about that gap because I had great involvement prior to the Congress actually taking place. 16 00:02:37,418.996 --> 00:03:01,78.997 It was after that meeting that we received info and a directive from the Head of and Publications at SATS inviting all academics and inviting all post grad students to write blog articles that will address the 25 gaps in That were discussed at the L4 Congress. 17 00:03:02,78.997 --> 00:03:16,518.997 When I think about how God works, and how God has a plan for L4, how He integrates all of that in our everyday activity, it is a reminder that God is at work, and God is still sovereign. 18 00:03:17,518.997 --> 00:03:23,648.996 I read that announcement with quite a bit of pride, I must say. 19 00:03:24,648.996 --> 00:03:36,578.996 But also a deep sense of knowing that there was a great disjoint between my own personal involvement in the Gap 19 and with much of what was taking place at our institution. 20 00:03:37,548.996 --> 00:03:52,968.997 And to see the three reports back that came, to hear the response of those that are at SATS, academics, theologians, lecturers, staff. 21 00:03:53,613.997 --> 00:04:10,993.997 Including our post grad students responding in such a positive way to what took place at Lausanne speaks well the church, speaks well for the seminary, and speaks well for what God, doing and will do even through L4. 22 00:04:11,993.997 --> 00:04:34,493.997 I'm glad that the seminary is so fit to prioritize this kind of engagement in the academic sphere knowing that SATS serves the local church in southern Africa and even globally and the great impact that make for the ministry of Lausanne, but more especially for the mandate. 23 00:04:35,173.997 --> 00:04:35,993.997 the Great Commission. 24 00:04:36,993.997 --> 00:04:51,143.996 I had the opportunity for the last day or two to connect with those that are responsible for the writing and publications, and I've been told that already articles are coming through, and individuals are already drawn to each of those gaps. 25 00:04:51,933.997 --> 00:04:59,803.997 so I'm looking forward to writing myself, reflecting, and also reading some of those blog articles that will come through. 26 00:05:00,803.997 --> 00:05:05,908.897 I am certain, absolutely certain, that just as God has used you. 27 00:05:06,908.897 --> 00:05:24,128.897 that to be a vital part of what he is doing missions that God would also use any other organization or any individual that commits To fulfilling the Great Commission. 28 00:05:25,128.897 --> 00:05:27,798.897 Great Commission to be fulfilled in our time. 29 00:05:28,338.897 --> 00:05:29,978.897 That would indeed be wonderful. 30 00:05:30,848.897 --> 00:05:45,28.896 And I'm so privileged that as a seminary we can do that both an academic level, deeply theological level, also at grassroots level, affecting those that study at our institution. 31 00:05:46,28.896 --> 00:05:51,48.897 My prayer is that we all would be able to work together. 32 00:05:51,493.897 --> 00:05:58,573.897 To find an opportunity to serve the Lord and to serve His mission and to serve His church together. 33 00:05:59,483.897 --> 00:06:04,763.897 a privilege it has been to be able to do that and to be a part of what God is doing. 34 00:06:05,343.896 --> 00:06:05,733.897 Thank you so much.