FINISH 2030 Co-Chair Recognized for His Passion for Bringing People to Christ
ORLANDO, January 30, 2020 – It was an extraordinary second day at the Global Church Network’s (GCN) Synergize Conference with more than 850 international attendees representing more than 100 denominations and 60 countries helping to raise $1.8 million of $2 million needed to complete phase one of FINISH 2030, an initiative aimed at finishing the Great Commission on the 2000th anniversary of the founding of the global Church.
James O. Davis (left) challenges the crowd to participate in FINISH 2030 as Tommy Barnett (right) and other
FINISH 2030 specifically seeks to find the remaining unreached people groups around the world, translate the Bible into every language, plant churches within walking distance of all individuals, including more than 57 million people without a church living in 20,000 villages high in the Himalaya Mountains, and create disciples for Christ.
Tommy Barnett, pastor of Dream City Church and co-founder of The Dream Center, serves as honorary chairman of FINISH 2030 and was awarded GCN’s Global Statesman Award for the work he has done to expand the Kingdom.
“Tommy Barnett has inspired us. He is a visionary pacesetter who challenges people to believe more and stay on the path. He knows how to multiply himself and dream big,” said James O. Davis, president of Global Church Network. “He is truly a statesman, and we are grateful for him and his life.”
In addition to launching FINISH 2030, the hundreds of Synergize attendees and thousands more watching via live stream were inspired by a vast group of speakers that tackled three themes: Begin, Believe and Belong.
Speaker Highlights Included:
Dr. Douglas Beacham of International Pentecostal Holiness Church kicked off the day reminding attendees “Jesus didn’t call us to be relevant…we go into crowded cities, abandoned towns, translate the Bible; we patiently endure so we can do those things;”
Rev. Lana Vasquez of Life Impact International encouraged pastors to “look up and lookout…we must see the harvest with urgency;”
Dr. David Sobrepeña of Word of Hope Christian Church reminded leaders in the room and watching online that “without the Holy Spirit we are nothing” and encouraged them to keep eternity in mind;
Dr. James Merritt of Cross Pointe Church spoke about how we as people “cannot be the person we want to be without the power of God;”
Rev. Ana Ruth Diaz, principal pastor of the Church of God Oasis of Love in Honduras, challenged believers, saying, “your faith needs to be activated”…”your faith and my faith are necessary to obtain what God wants us to do.”
Rev. Tony Yeo of Covenant Evangelical Free Church discussed the crisis facing the church and encouraged pastors to look at what type of church they are building while providing solutions;
Dr. Randall Bach of Open Bible Churches reminded pastors and leaders that they “need to be intentional stage setters for Jesus and be faithful anticipation builders;”
Dr. Carla Sunberg with the Church of Nazarene spoke about the importance of ministering to children, saying, “It is our responsibility to protect and care for children...we must be intentional in reaching the next generation;”
Rev. Luke Barnett of Dream City Church shared his personal story of receiving a God-sized vision, after climbing a mountain for 40 Days like his father, Tommy Barnett used to do, in hopes of encouraging those who need a fresh vision from God;
Rev. Doug Clay, the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, talked about establishing a cause and inspired those listening by reminding them that, “Jesus wants you to see the size of the opportunity and remember how big God actually is…He is big enough to exceed all our small expectations;” and
Dr. Timothy Hill the General Overseer of the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee, concluded the evening with a powerful message about being in the will of God, living one’s purpose and not giving up.
Synergize 2020 concludes Thursday with sessions from Rev. Angela Donadio, Rev. Peter Mortlock, Dr. Glenn Burris, Rev. Paul Daugherty, Dr. Ben Lerner, Dr. Bartholomew Orr, Dr. Leonard Sweet, Dr. Kenneth Ulmer and Rev. Tamryn Klintworth. Those unable to attend the conference can watch it online by visiting synergize.tv.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: For questions about the conference, livestream information or to arrange an interview, please contact Kristin Nill at knill@alarryross.com or 972-261-1111.