Lausanne World Pulse – The Sixth World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People to be Held 11-17 September 2006 in the Philippines
By Pio Gabad Arce
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The World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People (WCGIP) is a bi-annual celebration of Christian first nation peoples using dance, music and art as an expression of worship to the great creator. Each gathering includes forums, discussions and workshops on issues concerning indigenous people worldwide.
The sixth WCGIP conference will be held 11-17 September 2006 in Davao City, Philippines. Previous gatherings were held in New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and the United States. Over one thousand delegates from different tribes and nations are expected to attend this year’s event.
The Role of Indigenous People
Indigenous people have a key role in the revival of a nation. As the original inhabitants of the land, they have a spiritual authority over the land that is different from other peoples. Yet most indigenous people have been reduced to minorities and are often neglected and found in the most desolate areas of the world where the poorest of the poor live.
Indigenous people are still considered a great mission field around the world. In recent years God has also been stirring Christian indigenous people to rise up as a mission force themselves. North American Indians, Maoris of New Zealand, Sami People of the Arctic and other Christian indigenous people are penetrating difficult countries with the gospel using culture, dance, music and art as instruments for evangelism. The movement has grown worldwide through these indigenous people gatherings where all cultures are affirmed to worship Jesus Christ. WCGIP encourages the cross-pollination of ideas that can be powerful tools for world evangelization.
One of the hopes for the WCGIP gatherings is for the body of Christ to recognize that culture plays a significant role in the Church movement. Upholding indigenous leadership is important to these gatherings where ceremonial protocols are given great importance. Indigenous people must be treated as co-equals in reaching the world for Christ; they must be able to use their God-given gifts, language, culture, dance and music. The purpose for the gatherings is not to romanticize culture but to give indigenous people the freedom to express themselves to God and use these expressions to reach out to others.
The WCGIP 2006 gathering in the Philippines will have four objectives:
1. To present the unique role of indigenous people in the body of Christ in fulfilling God’s revival and destiny for the nations
2. To discover together how redeemed indigenous culture can be utilized as an expression of worship and as a vehicle for evangelism
3. To identify the hindrances affecting the active participation of indigenous people in the body of Christ
4. To provide a forum to discuss the appropriate Christian response to the prevailing issues concerning indigenous people