Let Us Arise in HOPE as We Start 2021

My heart is filled with expectation as we step into a year of new opportunities.

By DougBeacham

In preparing to write this column, I went back and read my comments from the January 2020 issue of Encourage to see what I was thinking in the “B.C.” era (that stands for “Before Covid”). The focus was on our core value of generosity, and the riches of Christ’s glory. A year ago, we anticipated a contentious political year in our nation. But we could not anticipate the global impact of the coronavirus and the changes it made to our lives.

Now, after months of quarantines, mask wearing, Zoom calls, online church meetings and contentious politics, I think most of us are glad 2020 is behind us!

Now, I recognize the Holy Spirit’s timely call for the IPHC regarding generosity. You have responded locally and globally by giving far beyond what any of us imagined. I’m grateful that the IPHC family has acted with inspiring generosity to the needs of the world through this pandemic. World Missions Ministries has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of relief around the globe, and local congregations have stood in the gap for their members and surrounding communities.

As we step into 2021, I find my heart filled with great hope. My expectations are not based on the availability and success of a coronavirus vaccine—though we all pray for such an outcome. It’s not based on elections and the promises of politicians—though we pray for our leaders. Rather, my hope and expectation are in Jesus Christ.

The IPHC’s identity has been clearly expressed as “a Place of Hope and a People of Promise.” This statement is based on Isaiah 54:2-3. I have rejoiced as I’ve seen these terms used in numerous IPHC local congregations around the world. Recently I saw it at Northview Harvest Ministries IPHC in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Notice in the photo on this page; they have contextualized this Bible passage to their mission focus.

Write the vision: The IPHC’s mission statement, as used by Northview Harvest Ministries in Laurinburg, North Carolina.

“A Place of Hope and a People of Promise” is truly our identity. But identity without vision is little more than an effort to feel good about ourselves. This is why the Arise 2033 movement is so important to us as we seek to fulfill Jesus’ commandments to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” and “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 22:37, 38; 28:19).

The “fields” of the 21st century are “white unto harvest,” as Jesus referred to a grain field in Samaria (John 4:35). He prefaced that observation by two imperatives to His disciples: (1) “Lift up your eyes” and (2) “behold the fields.”

Take a moment to reflect on those imperatives. “Lift up your eyes and behold” that over 56 percent of the 7.8 billion people on this planet now live in urban areas. Since Target 2000 in the 1980s, the IPHC has been attempting to focus on the massive cities of the world. That strategy mission has not changed, but it must be intentionally intensified. Over the coming years we must prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to give us the vision and courage to engage the urban masses of the earth with the gospel of hope.

At the same time we do not neglect areas with smaller populations. After all, 44 percent of the global population lives in those areas.

One of the lessons of 2020 was that through technology, local ministries can consistently reach people around the globe. The ministries in the IPHC that are doing this now are too numerous to name. We have learned that “doing church” can occur in new and innovative ways.

Because of that, Arise 2033 and its goals are more reachable than any of us first imagined. With technology, as well as with a new wave of men and women who will personally go to new locations, the goals of planting IPHC churches in 150 nations and in 75 percent of counties in the UnitedStates seem more attainable.

I’m also hopeful because of our core values: “We Prayerfully Value Scripture,” “We Prayerfully Value Pentecost,” “We Prayerfully Value Holiness,” “We Prayerfully Value Christ’s Kingdom,” “We Prayerfully Value All Generations,” “We Prayerfully Value Justice” and “We Prayerfully Value Generosity.” The praxis of our faith—prayer, worship, evangelism, discipleship, missions, study and giving—finds a place in each of these as we bear witness to Jesus around the world.

So we begin a new calendar year with hope and plans. But I’m reminded that the Christian calendar for 2021 did not begin on January 1. Instead, it began at Advent on November 29, 2020.

As you read this, we are at or near Epiphany, the commemoration of the visit of the Magi to the child in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2). In the coming weeks, the focus of Epiphany, which means manifest revelation, is about Who Jesus is as the Lord, the Son of God, the Savior of the world and many other titles found in Scripture.

I find the testimony of the church calendar and its focus on God’s redeeming work in Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit to be the intellectual

and emotional place where my walk with Jesus finds refuge, peace and hope. As important as the dates and events of 2021 will be, they are not greater than the life of Jesus, “Who is and Who was and Who is to come” (Revelation 1:4, 8; 4:8).

Therefore, whatever expected or unexpected happens in 2021, we bring to it what we have received and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Our knees bow before Him in recognition of our commitment to serve Him in this world as instruments of righteousness and reconciliation (see Romans 6:13; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19). May the Lord richly bless you as you embrace this New Year with renewed hope.

DOUG BEACHAM is the presiding bishop of the IPHC. He has served in various roles in the church including Georgia Conference Superintendent, executive director of Church Education Ministries, and executive director of World Missions Ministries. You can follow Bishop Beacham on Facebook or Twitter @DougBeacham.