That there are more Christians who claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit but whose claim is unsubstantiated by a passion for mission is a truth beyond disputation. The contemporary Christian church is all about enjoying themselves unmindful of those who are not sharing in this feast of Christ.

Last week was our Missions and Ministry Conference. We heard tremendous heart-searching messages that challenged us to think critically about our place in God’s missionary enterprise.
 Is it possible that you are back to the normal activities of life oblivious of your unbelieving neighbour? Is it conceivable that your unbelieving roommate has never heard your testimony or about the faith you claim to hold so dear? Is it likely that as a lecturer your class time is just that, a time ‘to do class’? Is it Christian that you do not have even one person in your life that you pray for to find Christ? Is it true that since this year began you have not talked to anyone about the need for the Saviour?
If your answer to these  questions is affirmative, then you are my ordinary Christian, complacent and egocentric.
Are we so passionate about church but callous toward the perishing neighbour right next to us? We have been taught about caring for the physical needs of those around us but care little about their blind-eyed walk into hell!
I am talking about our loss of the passion for mission. Why have we lost this godly zeal? We are fervent for some of the gospel but will not commit to the whole call of God. What does this tell about us?
In the New Testament church, believers who were filled with the Holy Spirit gossiped the gospel. The same was true for the East African Revival: conversion was synonymous with telling sinners about the love of God. Salvation meant deployment in mission. When they were saved, they immediately told about it everywhere to all and sundry. Sadly that has been replaced with ‘praise and worship’, deficient of a passion for the lost.
I am constantly reminded of Keith Green’s words, “The world is sleeping in the dark; but the Church just can’t fight, as it sleeps in the light!” What an indictment on the slumbering Christian, sound asleep in the light! I am not writing to evoke feelings of guilt, but how does God view our ‘mission-less’ life. This much is true in our context.
The coming of the Holy Spirit makes talkative Christians: They are talking about the Christ who saves. That is why Peter stood up to the hostile religious leaders and said, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will tell others about Jesus. The least you may do is to give your testimony of how Jesus saved you.
The second truth about the Holy Spirit in us is that the whole world is your parish. Someone said, “When Christ was on the cross, the whole world was on his mind.” Jesus said that the coming of the Holy Spirit would mean we are witnesses to the end of the earth, beginning with where you are.
Finally, the work of mission depends on you. the disciples had hoped that his continued risen presence would restore the kingdom of Israel. However, his visible departure told them that the establishment of his (spiritual) kingdom depended entirely on them.
If you are not a witness, there is no hope for the people about you. Go, tell it on the Mountain, that Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.

Rev. Dr. John Senyonyi is the UCU vice chancellor