In a gathering in Bangkok, Thailand, about 25 evangelism practitioners, scholars and church leaders from Orthodox, Pentecostal and Protestant perspectives have discussed on evangelism in the midst of conversion and intolerance accusations.
Christians are often accused of conversion, stirring up intolerance, suspicion and even violence.
The gathering under the theme "Giving an account of the hope within us: Evangelism and discipleship when hope is challenged," was held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1 by the Council for World Mission (CWM) and the World Council of Churches Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME).
Religiously motivated suicide bombings in Nigeria, Pope's visit to Myanmar during the 'ethnic cleaning' and mass migration of the Rohingya and President Donald Trump re-tweeting racist anti-Muslim propaganda are evident of the challenges to faith.
Those gathered said that some use evangelism to proselytise fellow Christians and thus bring division in churches.
Despite various accusations, they claimed that evangelism is an act that provides hope and nurtures life in Christ.
The group offered insight and critique for the themes, Bible and Evangelism, Evangelism Practices and Theologies of Evangelism.
