The All India Congress on Church in Mission (AICOCIM) opened on 15 September in Nagpur, Maharashtra, with a keynote address by Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI). Speaking to nearly 450 leaders gathered at Hotel Tuli International, Lal described the event as a “kairos moment:” a time for repentance, clarity, and renewed obedience.
Held for the first time in 15 years, the four-day congress brings together denominational leaders, theologians, educators, and ministry practitioners to discuss mission, discipleship, justice, education, women’s leadership, and other key issues facing the Indian Church.
Lal urged participants to see the greatest challenge not as external opposition, but as weakness within. He warned of a widening gap between the gospel proclaimed and the disciples produced, calling for deeper spiritual formation rooted in Scripture, prayer, and accountable communities. “Crowds may gather for a season, but only disciples will stand in the storm,” he said.
He also highlighted the dangers of cultural idols such as wealth, reputation, and power, stressing that faith must produce believers willing to bear the cost of discipleship.
Unity was another central theme. Lal lamented the divisions caused by denominational rivalry, caste prejudice, and regionalism, insisting that the gospel leaves no excuse for such barriers. He called for leaders to demonstrate humility and repentance, showing that the Church belongs to one Lord and one mission.
Addressing the theme of mission, Lal urged the Church to move beyond isolated programmes and adopt an integrated approach that combines preaching, discipleship, care for the vulnerable, and action against injustice. He emphasised resilience through wise stewardship and entrepreneurship, arguing that a Church dependent solely on external aid will remain fragile.
“EFI’s role is not to dominate but to serve,” he said, describing the fellowship as a gardener that clears ground and enables others to grow. Leadership, he reminded participants, must follow the servant model of Christ.
In conclusion, Lal outlined three essential postures for the Church in this generation: surrender, courage, and imagination. Surrender means yielding the Church’s future to Christ; courage means living faithfully despite pressure; and imagination means discerning Spirit-led opportunities in a changing society.
He urged delegates to see AICOCIM not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a renewed witness. “This is not the house, but seed sown in faith, trusting God for the harvest,” he said. “May generations yet unborn look back and say that in these days, the Church chose faithfulness over fear, obedience over ease, and Christ above all.”
Adapted from Christian Daily International.
