In this dark world where right is wrong and wrong is right, Vision 2028 stands as John the Baptist with a trumpet sounding from the desert to the city and echoing the mandate: “Possess the Nations! Transform your world!” which is the Great Commission Jesus charged us His children. The Spirit of Shamgar, as exemplified in Judges 3:31, becomes a light, illustrating the unwavering support system and showing the boldness of faith required to keep the heart of the Vision 2028 agenda.
UNDERSTANDING VISION 2028: “POSSESSING THE NATIONS”
At the core of Vision 2028 lies the task of possessing the nations for the Kingdom of God. It’s a call to be agents of transformation, vessels through which the values and principles of the Kingdom are shown and demonstrated in society. This vision is not a passive observance; it’s a dynamic and potent participation in God’s transformative agenda.
THE SPIRIT OF SHAMGAR IN VISION 2028
In Judges 3:31, Shamgar emerges as an unsung hero, using an oxgoad to defeat six hundred Philistines and saving Israel. Even though he is an unsung hero, His spirit and character are the very essence required to keep the Vision 2028 agenda at heart.
LESSON 1: BOLD FAITH IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGES
The Spirit of Shamgar teaches us to embrace the boldness of faith. Possessing the nations and being an agent of transformation in a world with challenges demands a faith that goes beyond imagination. It’s about trusting God’s power even when faced with seemingly impossible odds. There will be people who will speak against the vision. An example is the Ejura Prison facility that was built under the Possessing the Nations agenda phase one (1) through the leadership of our dear chairman Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye and the Executive Members. Quite a number spoke against it, but at the end of the day, the souls (inmates) are repenting and giving themselves to Christ through the help of the Holy Spirit and CoP chaplains in the prison facility. By doing this, the church fulfilled one scripture in the bible when Jesus asked these questions: Matthew 25:35-40 KJV; for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
LESSON 2: UTILISING UNCONVENTIONAL MEANS FOR TRANSFORMATION
Shamgar’s choice of an oxgoad, an unconventional tool, echoes the need for creative and unconventional means in the pursuit of Vision 2028. To be an agent of transformation may require us to step outside traditional boundaries, utilising unique gifts and strategies that align with the Spirit’s guidance. By the special grace of God, like Shamgar, who had an oxgoad, we as the church now have many tools to our advantage. An example of one of the tools is The CoP E-Church. The purpose of this tool is to enable the church to have a digital space fully for online church service, which will purely be a missiological church established with the primary focus of reaching a targeted online audience who do not know the Lord Christ. It will seek to primarily win such people for Christ and to disciple them within a CoP church community that operates entirely online. (Reference from Vision 2028, page 52, 3.2.13.1 The CoP E-Church/Digital Church/Online (Church Assembly)
LESSON 3: INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION
The Spirit of Shamgar underscores the impact of individual responsibility in corporate transformation. Each believer, as an agent of transformation, contributes to the collective effort of possessing the nations. It’s a reminder that personal dedication ripples into communal change.
LESSON 4: FEARLESS COMMITMENT TO KINGDOM VALUES
Shamgar’s fearless commitment to combating the Philistines symbolises the unwavering dedication needed in keeping the Vision 2028 agenda at heart. Being an agent of transformation entails a fearless commitment to Kingdom values — love, justice, compassion, and righteousness — values that transcend cultural and societal norms.
LESSON 5: A CALL TO PERSONAL AND COMMUNAL IMPACT
The Spirit of Shamgar resonates with the call for both personal and communal impact. Keeping the Vision 2028 agenda at heart involves recognising that our actions, no matter how seemingly small, contribute to the broader narrative of possessing the nations for the Kingdom. It’s a call to be intentional in our daily lives, impacting those around us.
CONCLUSTION
In conclusion, the Spirit of Shamgar becomes a guiding force in our journey toward Vision 2028. As we declare, “Possessing the Nations! I am an Agent of Transformation!” may the audacious faith, unconventional strategies, and unwavering support exemplified by Shamgar be our inspiration on this transformative pilgrimage. God bless you.
Written by P/Overseer Solomon Boadi
