The World Missionary conference (WMC) convened in Edinburgh, 1910. But, the call for a world conference was sounded by William Carey a century back. The (Baptist) Missionary in India proposed a meeting of Christians from all denominations at the Cape of Good Hope in 1810. Andrew Fuller could not see beyond and thought it was impossible for Christians to come together, let alone discuss. He thought unity (amidst rabid denominationalism) was impossible and dismissed Carey’s proposal. Well…a meeting of christians of all denominations was not a ‘pleasing dream’.
However, the realization of Carey’s proposal came a century later. Was Cape of Good Hope (1810) a missed opportunity? I can’t help but raise the question: If the conference was planned and convened in 1810, would it have made a difference to Christian unity and witness? Well…we may never have the answers to “what-if” questions. But, we’re glad that Edinburgh 1910 happened. On hind sight we know that the World Missionary conference had done a lot of good to Christian unity and witness in the 20th century (?!). May God grant us sensitivity to understand and accept foresight as well as insight. The task of world Evangelization requires us to think future and be future ready.
