Ivan Satatyavrata serves as the Senior Pastor of an Assembly of God church in  Kolkata (Calcutta), India.  Here are my notes from his message at the General Conference:

Christianity in general is more of a multicultural and global movement than ever before.

• need for Christians all over the world to work TOGETHER.
• John 17:18 (Jesus prayer)
• John 20:21 (commission) – As the father sent Jesus, so he sends US!

“How of Missions”

• it is the manner in which the Father sent the Son that determines the manner in which the church is sent by Jesus
• it’s mission is governed by the manner of His (mission). (Newbigin, Missons in Christ’s way)
• the importance of “as” in what Jesus said. (the father has sent me AS I send you)
• missions is NOT about colonization.
• missions must NOT be done alone!
• missions is not marketing (corporatization)

What is Jesus way for missions?
John 14:21 (Jesus prayer) – one as you and I are one.

1. Intimacy

• with God and with each other
• must be nurtured in and flow out of our intimacy with God
• need can be a motivation for philantrophy but can never be a motivation for mission
• Mission must be rooted in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ

2. Servanthood
John 13:1-5 – washing of feet

• mission IS servanthood
• “if you come to us in the spirit of your master we cannot resist you” (Ghandi writing to E. Stanley Jones – missonary to India)

3. Friendship
Jesus prayed that we may all be one.

• such friendship is a non-negotiable if missions is to succeed.
• this friendship is supernatural. Not just two people sharing the same values or in the same club etc.
• friendship is put together by God.
• it involves pain, love etc. (John 15:13-15)