Georgia (MNN) — “Gamarjoba” is Georgian for “hello!” A3 is beginning its work in Georgia, helping unite the Church under one mission.
Georgia (or Sakartvelo in the local language) is a Caucasus nation with an ancient Christian story — one tradition traces the Gospel’s arrival to the Apostle Andrew’s missionary journey.
Jeyakaran Emmanuel, Vice President for A3 Global Ministry, says his predecessor in the ministry, Noel Becchetti, had an encounter with a Georgian pastor who had learned about A3’s work and projects and said:
“It will be wonderful to have this program in Georgia. I think this will meet many specific needs in our country, particularly in uniting pastors.”
After prayer and research, A3 answered the call. Now they’re praying for the right strategy to help unite Georgian churches under one mission. Emmanuel says that kind of unity is needed almost everywhere — but building it can be difficult.
One obstacle is the tendency for ministries to operate independently instead of together. “There has been that trend for ministries to work in silos, not so much coming together in unity,” he explains.
Georgian men in national costumes (photo courtesy of Paata Vardanashvili via Wikimedia Commons)
Another challenge is when believers hold tightly to non-essential doctrines in ways that prevent partnership.
“Many denominations hold on to their doctrines so rigidly that they would not want to see beyond that to relate to anyone who has a different doctrine,” Emmanuel explains, adding that this does not mean compromising on fundamental doctrines that must be honored.
And in some places, competition between churches can breed suspicion — concerns that another congregation is “taking people” or using unfair tactics.
Still, Emmanuel points to the truth that can bring pastors back to common ground:
“The church is not ours. The church belongs to our Lord, Jesus Christ, whom he has purchased with His own blood, and we are merely stewards and shepherds,” he says.
Pray for A3 as they connect with Georgian pastors and plan next steps. Their long-term goal is unity with a purpose: reaching the lost. Emmanuel puts it this way:
“Our prayer is that everybody, in some way, will start getting connected to one another, and that A3 will be God’s agent or instrument to catalyze unity in Georgia.”
Header photo: Tbilisi, Georgia (courtesy of Hongbin via Unsplash).
