“I WILL GO” is the exciting global strategic focus for all Seventh-day Adventists from 2020–2025.
“I WILL GO” is a bold inspirational initiative which involves all church members in reaching the world, inspiring and equipping each one of us to use our God-given spiritual gifts in witness and service for Christ.
As a continuation of the Reach the World strategic plan, the “I WILL GO” initiative offers something for the whole church—local churches, missions, conferences, unions, divisions, the General Conference, and institutions. It’s a tool to help the Church be more focused and effective in performing critical and urgent tasks.
This strategic plan is biblically based and echoes the Great Commission, which calls each of Jesus’ followers to go and make disciples of all nations.
Local church elders, as influential leaders within the 160,000 congregations around the world, are particularly important people in this whole exciting plan. Imagine what can be achieved with 21.5 million Holy Spirit inspired Seventh-day Adventists, following Jesus, and faithfully pledging, “I will go!”
It was our victorious resurrected Saviour Jesus who said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:18–20 ESV).
“I WILL GO” also perfectly reflects the mission statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church:
OUR MISSION
Make disciples of Jesus Christ who live as His loving witnesses and proclaim to all people the everlasting gospel of the Three Angels’ Messages in preparation for His soon return (Matt 28:18–20, Acts 1:8, Rev 14:6–12).
OUR METHOD
Guided by the Bible and the Holy Spirit, Seventh-day Adventists pursue this mission through Christ-like living, communicating, discipling, teaching, healing, and serving.
OUR VISION
In harmony with Bible revelation, Seventh-day Adventists see as the climax of God’s plan the restoration of all His creation to full harmony with His perfect will and righteousness.
“I WILL GO” also aligns with the clear advice offered by Ellen G. White:
“The home missionary work will be farther advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off. It is in working actively to supply the necessities of the cause of God that we bring our souls in touch with the Source of all power.” —Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, 6:27
OBJECTIVES
These are some of the major objectives of “I WILL GO.”
THE MISSION OBJECTIVES ARE:
- To revive the concept of worldwide mission and sacrifice for mission as a way of life involving not only pastors, but every church member, young and old, in the joy of witnessing for Christ and making disciples
- To strengthen and diversify Adventist outreach in large cities, across the 10/40 Window, among unreached and underreached people groups, and to non-Christian religions
THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OBJECTIVES ARE:
- To disciple individuals and families into Spirit-filled lives
- To increase accession, retention, reclamation, and participation of children, youth, and young adults
- To help youth and young adults place God first and exemplify a biblical worldview
To keep everyone focused on the essential goals and for evaluation of “I WILL GO,” the initiative has key performance indicators [KPIs]. Some of the most notable ones for elders and church members to address are:
KPI 1.1
Increased number of church members participating in both personal and public evangelistic outreach initiatives with a goal of Total Member Involvement (TMI).
KPI 2.1
Increased number of church members participating in both personal and public evangelistic outreach initiatives with a goal of Total Member Involvement (TMI). A worshipping group is established in each country of the 10/40 Window where there currently is no Seventh-day Adventist presence.
KPI 5.1
Significant increase in numbers of church members regularly praying, studying the Bible, using the Sabbath School Bible Study Guides, reading the writings of Ellen White and engaging in other personal devotions.
KPI 5.2
Significant increase in numbers of church members and unbaptized children and youth regularly attending divine service and Sabbath School.
Elders of congregations are particularly vital in Objective 6, and can make very strong contributions, especially to the following KPIs:
KPI 6.3
Evidence of new members being nurtured through active discipleship programs.
KPI 6.4
Significant increase in number of church members regularly engaging in family worships.
KPI 6.5
All members and yet-to-bebaptized young people embrace and practice stewardship principles regarding time, spiritual gifts, and tithes and offerings.
Embedded within the “I WILL GO” initiative is the important element that people who “go” do not go alone. Jesus promised in The Great Commission, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). Those who “go,” go with Jesus, as well as the prayerful support and the available resources of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church.
WHAT “I WILL GO” REALLY MEANS …
It means surrendering all—all that we are and all that we have—to Jesus, following the leading of the Holy Spirit and going to others to share the beautiful Saviour Jesus Christ.
This divine call is to each follower of Jesus to reach out to those who do not know the love of Jesus and to share His pure love of salvation. Thus each person can discover Jesus and eternal life, which is only available through Him.
This means going to a family member or friend—even going to someone who lives in your house!
“I WILL GO” means that you’re willing to go to people across the street, across your town, suburb or city.
“I WILL GO” is making yourself available to God, giving Jesus permission to call you, to go … to go to strangers—people you don’t know—to go to your neighbors, country, your island, your continent, your world!
Dear elder, are you willing to prayerfully promise your Saviour, “I will go”?
FOR REFLECTION:
“I will go” is a significant reoccurring phrase in the Bible. When Bible characters said, “I will go” and faithfully went, they changed the world! God went with them and blessed them and their efforts. Prayerfully meditate upon “I will go” in these verses, their wider context and application: Genesis 24:58; 45:28; 46:4, 31; Exodus 4:12; Ruth 1:16; Psalm 43:4; Isaiah (6:8); 45:2; Matthew 26:32; Mark 14:28; and Acts 18:6.
For more information, helpful resources and to download a comprehensive booklet visit: https://iwillgo2020.org/
