October 2018

Evangelism in the early church

By Tim Keller

T here has always been a

strong tendency for Chris-
tians to “withdraw into a kind
the household — with blood
relatives, servants, clients, and
friends, so when a person be-
— all through friendship, a re-
lationship that was taken very
seriously by the ancients.
of closed, evangelical, monastic came a Christian it was in the Michael Green gives an ex-
community.” (as John Stott says household that he or she would tended account of how the fu-
in Motives and Methods, p.14.) get a serious hearing. If the head ture St. Gregory was won to
This is not, of course, how of the household became a be- faith. When Gregory was eigh-
things were in the beginning of liever (such as Lydia the seller teen, he and his brother were
the church. of dye and the Philippian jailer) traveling to study law at Bery-
In Michael Green’s seminal the entire home became a min- tus (today, Beirut). But on their
Evangelism in the Early Church istry center — where the gos- journey they came to Caesar-
(2nd ed, Eerdmans, 2003), he pel was taught to all the house- ea in Palestine where they met
shows that early Christianity’s hold’s members and neighbors. the well-known and respected
explosive growth “was in real- If, however, some other mem- scholar Origen. He persuaded
ity accomplished by means of ber of the household became a the brothers to remain for a
informal missionaries.” (Green, Christian — the wife, children, while and let him tutor them in
p.243) That is, Christian lay- or slaves and laborers — then the history of philosophy. They
people, not trained preachers the gospel would spread more stayed, and to their surprise,
and evangelists, carried on the indirectly. (Green sketches out Origen did not keep the tra-
mission of the church “not the different ways the gospel ditional distance between pro-
through formal preaching, but moved through households, fessor and pupil but opened his
informal” conversation — “in depending on who was the first life to them as friends. He con-
homes and wine shops, on convert. pp.322ff.) nected the principles of phi-
walks, and around market stalls Household evangelism was losophy to Christian teaching
... they did it naturally, enthusi- very important, but from both and showed how that teaching
astically ... Having found trea- the Bible and from early his- changed one’s life in the most
sure, they meant to share it with torical record we know that personal and practical ways.
others, to the limit of their abil- simple friendship was one of Gregory stayed and received his
ity.” (Green, p.243-244.) the main carriers of the gospel. full education under Origen
It’s clear from the New Tes- We see it in John 1 when Phil- for seven years, and in the pro-
tament and from other histori- ip passes his knowledge of Jesus cess was converted to Christi-
cal documents that one of the on to his friend Nathaniel. anity. (Green, pp.342ff.)
main centers of Christian evan- Green relates how Pantaenus It is informal but sustained
gelism was in the oikos — the led Clement of Alexandria to relationships and conversa-
‘household.’ A person’s stron- Christ, Justin led Tatian, Octavi- tion that will become more
gest relationships were within us led Minucius Felix to Christ (Continued on page 6)
 Meet HFNY’s new affiliates —
and celebrate with us!

A t Hope for New York

we want to see more
Christians, organizations, and
collaboration grants), $75,000
in capacity building grants,
and $213,743 in volunteer
grant communities in Jamaica,
Queens by providing programs
taught by certified tutors. Re-
churches working together to impact grants! covery House of Worship
help all New Yorkers flourish. We could also celebrate the Brooklyn helps hurting peo-
That’s why we launched our 3,200+ volunteers who gave ple heal by providing holistic
10-year vision in 2017 to ex- more than 43,000 hours to care to those experiencing or
pand our current network by serve our neighbors in need. recovering from addiction in
2027 — so we can holistical- That includes more than 1,700 Downtown Brooklyn. ViVA
ly love and serve even more of new volunteers, 342 volunteers Uptown provides youth de-
our neighbors in need. who served in leadership roles velopment, wellness initiatives,
This is the time of year that (shout out to our 100 HFNY and housing support to see
we take a step back to cele- Reps and 80 Team Lead- the flourishing of Washington
brate all that has happened this ers!) and 36 volunteers who Heights and Inwood.
past fiscal year. (That is, July led opportunities to serve at Here’s to all the awesome
1, 2016-June 30, 2017.) And our affiliates. moments we are celebrating
we have so much to celebrate Or we could start by cele- from this past (fiscal) year —
that it’s hard to know where brating the new additions to and we’re looking forward to
to start! our network! We are so excited what this next one will bring
We could start by celebrat- to welcome our new church as we continue to seek the
ing that we were able to invest partner, Hope Midtown spiritual, social, and economic
more than $2.1 million of West, and three new non-prof- flourishing of all New Yorkers!
funding into our non-prof- it affiliates. Who are our new
it affiliates. That’s our highest affiliates and how are they To learn more about ways
grant distribution to date! It loving and serving our neigh- you can get involved in a
includes $1,877,000 in direct bors? Global Empowerment movement of mercy and justice,
grants (including $45,000 in Services empowers immi- visit hfny.org.

Redeemer report
Cregan Cooke The Redeemer Report is a publication of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
Kathy Keller Office: 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10036
Heather Klein 212-808-4460 (T) 212-808-4465 (F) redeemer.com

Hunter College Auditorium W83rd Ministry Center West Side Church Plant: Salvation Army Auditorium
E. 69th St. 150 W. 83rd St. NY Society for Ethical Culture 120 W. 14th St.
(btw Park & Lexington) (btw Columbus & Amsterdam) 2 W. 64th St. (btw 6th & 7th Aves.)
Services: 10:30 a.m. Services: 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. (at Central Park West) Services: 9:30 a.m.
and 5 p.m. and 5 p.m. Service: 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
2
Dubai: Why we are free to worship
By Scott Zeller

P lanted in 2010, Redeemer

Church of Dubai gathers
weekly as a congregation of
united and were still called the
Trucial States, the tribes living
in the area were at risk of dy-
tal on the site of that original
maternity ward. The adminis-
trators of the hospital thought
nearly 1,000 brothers and sis- ing out. Their population was the donation might be given
ters representing dozens and in danger primarily because of very privately, to avoid word
dozens of nationalities. Re- the lack of adequate medical getting out that Muslim lead-
deemer in Dubai has also been care. One in every two chil- ers were funding the building
a launching point for several dren and one in every three of a Christian hospital in the
other church plants in the re- mothers were dying in child- Middle East. However, when
gion and is home to a training birth. The ruling Sheikh at the the time came to cut the
center for pastors, planters and time knew of the Christian ribbon on the new building,
future church leaders. Known hospital in Bahrain, about 300 the ruling family was present.
as the place where the tall- miles away, and appealed to In response to the donation,
est building in the world was the Christian medical mission- one of the Kennedys’ children
built on the desert sand and aries there to come to the Tru- said to the Sheik, “We can
where the sands of new islands cial States to start a maternity never repay you for this.” The
were built on the waters off its hospital. Sheik responded, “No, we can
coastline, Dubai is a remark- Drs. Pat and Marian Kenne- never repay you. What your
able place. And the story of dy responded to the invitation. family did for us, we can never
how Christian ministry came And despite the fact that their repay.”
to find a place here in this Is- first workspace was a simple And so the current minis-
lamic kingdom is equally as clay house with a thatched try we have in Dubai and the
remarkable. roof, the Kennedys’ hospi- openness we have to worship
The freedoms we enjoy to tal immediately changed the as Christians is due directly in
do ministry in Dubai come crisis, making it safe to have part to Christians who came
from a long legacy of faithful children. Most of the current when there was no “value” to
ministry in the Gulf region of rulers of Dubai and of the being here: there was noth-
the Middle East. Back in the UAE were born in that hos- ing glitzy or glamorous about
late 1800s and early 1900s, as pital. Over time, more staff coming to this area of the
the Gilded Age flourished in came, all Christians, and were world. No, those original mis-
America, some Christian mis- able to develop meaningful sionaries came because they
sionaries left their homes and relationships with the local were compelled and motivat-
came to the coast of the Ara- families because they came to ed by the love of Christ to a
bian Gulf to open a hospital love and to serve and to care lifetime of faithful service —
in Bahrain. Enduring the in- for them. wherever Christ would call
credible heat, despite the lack About eight years ago, af- them to go. And one fruit of
of any modern convenienc- ter everything we know now their sacrifice is now tens of
es, and as guests in a Muslim to have been the modern sto- thousands of Christians all
land, these missionaries served ry for the UAE — all the oil throughout Dubai and the
faithfully and won the local money, and the flashy shop- UAE get to worship each
people’s trust. ping malls, and the buildings week and practice their faith
Decades after those pi- and everything the area is now openly.
oneers had come, in 1960, famous for — one ruling fam-
when the United Arab Emir- ily gave over $100 million to
ates (UAE) were yet to be build a beautiful new hospi- (Continued on page 6) 3
 Growth and change at City to City
C ity to City (CTC) is a
ministry birthed out of
Redeemer nearly twenty years
Moody Church October
18-20. Long-time CTC
leader Al Barth will be lead-
Faith and Work at Redeem-
er, has joined CTC in an in-
terim part-time role to lead
ago, with a heart for equip- ing those efforts that will efforts to create a strategic
ping leaders around the world touch several US cities. plan around faith and work
to start new churches. While that serves CTCs vision
City to City became a separate • Over the last six months, and mission.
transdenominational move- our regional affiliate, City
ment agency in 2008, the close to City Asia Pacific, saw a • Andres Garza, the head of
relationship with Redeemer transition in leadership City to City Latin America,
remains. The Lord has been from Curt Yeo to Guna and leaders in that region
gracious and continues to raise Raman. Guna has been of the world are planning
up leaders around the world. one of the regional leaders a May, 2019, conference in
New churches are being plant- in Asia and is based in Sin- Brazil. Tim Keller will be
ed, and transdenominational gapore. After serving twen- speaking as part of this con-
networks of churches in cit- ty-nine years as senior pastor ference that will take place
ies are developing and work- of Agape Baptist Church, in two locations, Sao Paulo
ing for the gospel flourishing the church he founded, he and Rio de Janeiro.
of their city. Here are a few made the transition to CEO
recent highlights: of City to City Asia Pacific To support the wonderful
in September. Meanwhile, work going on in New York
• City to City’s (CTC) Cana- Curt Yeo, a native New CIty and around the world, the
dian regional affiliate hosted Yorker, has joined CTC as CTC staff is growing and now
a team of global leaders in Vice President of Global has more than 50 part-time
Vancouver to pray, dream Field Operations and will and full-time employees.
and strategize for the future serve our growing global
as we collectively long for affiliate networks that relate As City to City continues
the world’s cities to grow to us here in New York. to grow and serve regional af-
deep in the gospel. This filiates and networks of lead-
Global Leadership Team • Stephan Pues, a pastor in ers around the world, prayer is
(‘GLT”) is composed of Frankfurt, Germany, recent- critical. Our vision is large as
ministry representatives ly took the helm as head we pray that the Lord raises up
from each of CTC’s of City to City Europe. tens of thousands of leaders in
regional affiliates, and Tim Keller will be joining the global cities of the world
selected CTC staff. Stephan and hundreds of that have a heart for their city
European pastors and leaders and desire to start gospel cen-
• While CTC’s has histor- at an October conference tered churches. Our prayer is
ically focused globally (as in Krakow, which we are that millions come to know
well as locally here in New praying will be a catalyst for Jesus and love their cities into
York City), we are excited gospel movement through- great change. Without prayer
to officially launch City to out Europe. and God’s favor, our strategies,
City North America at the our plans and our actions will
The Gospel & Our Cities • Katherine Leary Alsdorf, fail. Please come alongside us
conference in Chicago at founder of the Center for and pray.

4
Madagascar Missions Trip 2018
By Christina Stanton

T he Madagascar team this meet myriad needs within the and family were invited, and
year was a delightful mix of community.
people: a father/daughter, two
after the children made their
The team also worked at a modeling debut, they enjoyed
single men in Finance, and two special “Street Family” event a buffet dinner. This was a great
families. Each one, young and held every Friday at Tana City way to show those children who
old, contributed in a unique Centre Church. The team set are often seen as “burdens” that
way to this trip, which was host- up more bouncy castles, of- they are loved and beautiful.
ed for the sixth year by Tana fered costumed characters, and And a phenomenal reminder
City Centre Church. provided lunch for 100 street for all the rest of 1 Samuel 16:7
The week start- — that God looks
ed off with a com- not at outward ap-
bined church ser- pearances but looks
vice. Three churches on the heart.
came together for a The team spent
combined service much time with our
and daylong festi- host, Pastor Tantera-
val in a park. The ka “Tank,” and with
service included the congregants of
prayers in several Tana City Centre
languages (7 to be Church. They also
exact, with at least enjoyed spending
10 nationalities rep- time with others
resented within the Redeemer missions team with church staff in the communi-
church) and a local professional kids at a park earlier in the ty, as well as the Growing the
gospel choir. The congregants week. Michael Smith was able Nations organization and its
of each church wore traditional to spend time talking with and staff. Many friendships began,
clothing and Redeemer Down- encouraging local pastors at a and many more that had begun
town pastor Michael Smith de- special lunch, while other team over the past six years of serv-
livered the message. Afterward, members spent a day serving at ing were strengthened. With
the attendees enjoyed a pot- a local orphanage. the Lord’s help, our committed
luck lunch, followed by games Wrapping up the week, the team will make every effort to
and activities for the kids, such teammates hosted a “prom” for maintain these special relation-
as fun in bouncy castles. It was children with disabilities in part- ships throughout the year, and
a wonderful start to a week of nership with a local non-prof- we look forward to future op-
jam-packed events! it organization called Growing portunities to visit and serve
Throughout the week, the the Nations. Local children this amazing community.
team hosted seminars with such were fitted with outfits donated
topics as Marriage, Entrepre- from friends/family in the US “The Redeemer teams serve
neurship, and Faith and Work, and brought over by our team, us so well! Each year they do a
as well as an Arts event and a and they were treated to full hair great job in providing a holistic
women’s conference. Each was and makeup sessions and taught ministry (from word ministry
targeted at assisting and engag- how to “walk the runway.” to social ministry). And each
ing within the diverse minis- Then they strutted their stuff on year it gets better and better —
tries for this very active church, a platform resembling a model- we love the Redeemer teams!”
where Pastor Tanteraka,“Tank” ing runway specially made for — Pastor Tanteraka
for short, and his congregants the event at the church. Friends 5
1166 AveNue OF The AmericAs first class mail
16Th FlOOr Us POstaGE
New YOrk, NY 10036 PAID
NEW YOrK NY
PErmit # 349

Evangelism in the early church ... (cont’d from page 1)

“
important in our increasingly
If a religion isBut notdon’t call this “friend- could lead us to treat friends
different from the surrounding culture,
secular world, as many Chris- ship evangelism.” Friends share as ‘evangelistic projects.’ That
if itoffen-
tian beliefs are highly does not critique
their hearts and
withoffer
eachanother
alternative
is to to it, it dies them. You
dehumanize
because
sive to people, as wasit the
is seen
case as and
unnecessary.
do what’sIfbest
Christians
for eachtodayare were also
not befriending them just
in the firstfamous forNow,
century. and marked
as other.byIfsocial chastity,
you are generosity
a Christian, and them
to give justice,the good news;
then, most multi-ethnicity,
people won’t show and then
peaceevangelism
making will come out
— would it notyoubeare giving them the good
compelling
up to hear Christian
to many? public naturally and organically in news because you love them as
speakers. Movement toward friendship if you don’t let your a friend. The more these gos-
Christian belief will have to–befrom pride,
“Why fears, and pessimism
does anyone cut pel Read
become a christian?” dynamics are present in our
more inside.
personal, organic, and incre- it off and make you hide your lives the more we will draw in
mental. We must question our faith and heart from them. It new people like a magnet (Acts
friends’ working answers about is the gospel that tells us we 2:47) and help them find faith
meaning, morality, identity, and are completely accepted in in the most credible, natural,
hope. We must also take time Christ. That removes both the and fruitful way.
to answer their questions about fear that keeps us from being
Christianity. vulnerable, and the pride that

rctc iNterNatioNal iNteNsive ... (coNt’d from page 3)

Free to worship ... (cont’d from page 3)

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