Seminar on Urban Church Growth

(Urban Evangelism)

Date: 16 May 2008
Venue: Immanuel Baptist Church, Dhaka

The total population of Bangladesh 150,448,000(July 2007 est.), 124,355,263 (2001 Census) in Land area 133,910 square kilometers. Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. It is one of the mega cities in the world. The most densely populated city in the world. The total population of this city is 12.0 million in 360 sq DCC area. Population density is 222 persons per hectare in DCC. 5% of households is at high income level share 37% of total income while 50% of households is at low income level sharing 12% of total income. About 3000 slums and squatters in the city. Varieties of professional people live here. People sleeping on the street in the cold winter and 5-6 years old children working on the streets and in markets are usual here.

Evangelism strategies in the metropolitan cities are different. Some places require intellectual explanation of the Bible and some places need generous love of Christ. Media coverage, dialogue, entertainment, gospel and tract distributions, mass Jesus film show, Christian Institutions and so on could be some strategies to reach the message of Christ to the metropolitan inhabitants. Our Christian behavior in our working circle worth a lot. The Church leaders of metropolitan cities of Bangladesh need to think again. People are entering into this mega city from every corner of its territory. Responsibilities and Opportunities of evangelism are also increasing. As Christian leader, ARE WE INCREASING OUR EVANGELISM STRATEGIES?

National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh wants to inspire and encourage its churches to put more spirit in the urban ministry. The seminar on May 16 is one of the efforts of this encouragement. Pastors and denomination leaders from different churches attended at this seminar. Rev. Joseph Biswas of Church of the Nazarene led the devotion drawing a meaningful picture of how urban area developed in the Biblical history and how God was involved there. Rev. Jason P Das, chairman of NCFB-Board of Mission and Evangelism explained various aspects people living in the urban area. Rev. Nathaniel S Munshi, pastor of Bethel AG Church, explained the role of urban church pastors and described some example of good growing urban churches around the world. The panel discussion was conducted by Rev. Jason P. Das, Rev. Shushil Bose (President-Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship, Chairman-Board of Education and Literature-NCFB) and Rev. Nathaniel S. Munshi (Pastor of Bethel AOG Church) The seminar is like an eye opening for our Dhaka metropolitan churches pastors and leaders. NCFB would like to organize eight (8) more seminars in four other major metropolitan cities in Bangladesh to help our church pastors and denomination leaders. NCFB appreciates your prayer for its ongoing programs. NCFB would thankfully receive your resources and financial contribution for its works in Bangladesh.