Simplicity in Mission: David Lim’s Radical Approach to Global Evangelism

David Joannes interviews David Lim, the CEO of the Asian School of Development and Crosscultural Studies (ASDECS), which has branches and partners in 12 countries worldwide and is headquartered in Manila, the Philippines. Lim’s work spans community development, Christian theology, Asian cultures, and inter-religious relations.

Lim emphasizes the simplicity of Jesus’ approach to missions, which empowers global south missionaries, extreme obedience to God’s call, and prioritizing discipleship as a lifestyle rather than a curriculum. He underscores the effectiveness of new believers in evangelism and discusses the importance of relational discipleship and Spirit-led evangelism in transforming communities.

Throughout the interview, Lim highlights the historical commitment of missionaries, such as the first Moravian missionaries who sold themselves into slavery to spread the Gospel in 1732. He reflects on the lessons that the Western world can learn from community-based cultures and provides insights into creating impactful evangelism strategies.

Filipino culture is a distinct fusion of West and East. David Lim discusses how the qualities that define the Filipino people strengthen their contribution to Jesus’ mission.

In the late 1960s and early 70s, it was a tumultuous time in China’s history. Many thought that the church in China would die, but, it didn’t. “God, give me China or I die!” David cried as he attended youth camp. He later learned and taught the importance of friendship evangelism, discipleship of people in small groups, and multiplication of disciples. His love for China later extended to Asia, when he was attending seminary in Korea!

David Lim discusses the influence of the Rev Dr John Sung (宋尙节) Revival on his family and its significance in shaping his future missions efforts. The revival had a profound impact on Lim’s upbringing, as he grew up admiring missionary role models like David Livingstone and Hudson Taylor. These influences, including the legacy of John Sung, played a pivotal role in inspiring Lim’s commitment to missions and the broader mission mandate.

Listen to the full interview or clips of the full interview here.

Read more here:
Asian School of Development and Crosscultural Studies (ASDECS) https://asdecs.weebly.com/

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