People who ask whatever became of the Decade of Evangelism probably did not attend the G-Code 2000 conference on evangelism at Kanuga in 1995. Many said that conference, which attracted more than 400 persons from 60 countries, was the best of its kind they had ever attended.

So it was with particular interest that I picked up a book titled The Cutting Edge of Mission, published by Anglican Communion Publications. Subtitled A Report of the Mid-Point Review of the Decade of Evangelism, it includes sermons and reports from that event, and even details the Bible studies which took place. It offers encouraging reading, particularly for persons who are concerned about the future of Anglicanism. A few highlights are worth sharing:

• One diocese in Nigeria reports an average of 5,000 confirmations per year for the past 10 years.
• The church in Japan has set a goal of "releasing the power of the laity and overcoming heavy clericalism."
• In Melanesia, the ministry of evangelism is carried out strongly by youth efforts.
• Small-group ministries are developing in the Church of Ireland.
• The Church in Sudan has become the fastest growing in North Africa.
• One diocese which was formed in Tanzania in 1991 already has 59,000 members.
• The church in Sabah reports Sunday attendance has grown by 10 percent per year during the first three years of the decade.
• In Nigeria, the laity do not wait for the clergy to initiate evangelism.
• The Church of Uganda has a plan to train 16,000 evangelists.

A story told by Bishop Dinis Sengulane of Lebombo, Mozambique, is worth repeating. Bishop Sengulane was waiting to board an airplane in his country when a 5-year-old girl sat down by him. She saw the bishop's cross and said to him, "You must be one of those people who go to church. When the plane takes off, I will come and sit by you so that you can tell me what you know about Jesus and I will do the same."

The little girl did sit by the bishop after the flight was airborne and they shared experiences of Jesus. "When we finished," the bishop said, "she looked around, saw a lady and turned to me and said, 'See that lady there. She looks miserable. She may not know what you told me about Jesus Christ. I will go and tell her about Jesus'."

After a few minutes, the girl returned to Bishop Sengulane and told him, "That lady was really miserable. She knew nothing about Jesus. But now she knows. I told her what you told me and what I knew."

That's the kind of evangelism Episcopalians don't do well. It's the kind of story which makes one realize the Decade of Evangelism isn't dead after all.

David Kalvelage, editor