"An ecumenical event featuring Hillsong United, Lecrae, Michael W. Smith, Josh McDowell, Ravi Zacharias, Francis Chan and other renown evangelical and Catholic speakers and musicians that is set to take place in Washington, D.C. is raising concerns as it seeks to draw a million attendees to “link arms” in unity, including with the Vatican.
“Together 2016” is an event to be held on July 16 at the National Mall in Washington, and seeks to unite those of various
backgrounds to “stand together for Jesus.”...
“Together 2016 is about laying aside what divides us to lift up Jesus who unites us,” organizer Nick Hall of PULSE told Christian News Network. “We are coming together in historic unity to pray for a reset for our nation.”
“Together 2016” is an event to be held on July 16 at the National Mall in Washington, and seeks to unite those of various
“Together 2016 is about laying aside what divides us to lift up Jesus who unites us,” organizer Nick Hall of PULSE told Christian News Network. “We are coming together in historic unity to pray for a reset for our nation.”
“It’s not about what divides us, but about the one who unites us—Jesus. The world sees division. We can change that.”
Hall announced that Jorge Bergoglio, also known as Pope Francis, will be delivering a video message to those in attendance.“We are humbled and honored by his involvement and are eager to
share his message with the crowd that gathers at Together 2016,” he told the Christian Post. “That His Holiness would choose to speak into this historic day is a testament to the urgency and the need for followers of Jesus to unite in prayer for our nation and our world.”
Hall traveled to Rome on Thursday to meet with the Roman Catholic leader and other Vatican officials ahead of the event.
“We’ve been praying for this and God has been answering our prayers,” he said in an online video in speaking of Bergoglio’s support of the gathering, explaining that he and a representative
from the Vatican discussed how to unite Christians and Catholics.
Hall also noted that he and Bergoglio would be praying together on Friday.
Supporters of the event include The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Luis Palau Association, CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ), Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Premiere Productions, the National Day of Prayer, YWAM, the American Bible Society and other organizations.
Confirmed speakers include Francis Chan, Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell, Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd and National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President Samuel Rodriquez. Music will be provided by Michael W. Smith, Hillsong United, Lecrae, Kari Jobe, Jeremy Camp, Lauren Daigle, Casting Crowns, Kirk Franklin, Andy Mineo and Matt Maher, among others.
“I love the name Together,” Joel Houston of Hillsong United said
in a statement. “There’s a power in unity and a blessing that comes when people put aside their differences and gather together for one purpose. Our prayer is for this to be a reset for us as a generation of the church—in America and beyond.”
Worship leader, Matt Maher, who identifies as a Roman Catholic, has outlined at other ecumenical events that he believes it is his calling to work toward to the unification of Christians and Catholics.
“We’ve never seen a unified church before in the history of the church since the Reformation. We don’t even know what it looks like,” he said at OneThing 2015. “I think what the work of unity starts with [is]: It starts with us praying together. It starts with us fellowshiping together. It starts with us having a common respect for each other, a love for each other.”
Gendron is a former Roman Catholic who now teaches evangelicals how to share the gospel with Catholics.
“We’re divided on how one is born again:
Gendron said that Jesus himself came to divide with truth, and prayed that His Church would be sanctified with that truth.
In addition to concerns about unification with the Vatican, there
are also questions about Hall’s inclusion of Andy Mineo at the event following his defense of profanity earlier this year on Twitter.
“Do you guys really think if a person uses ‘profanity’ (words we’ve given meaning) in their music they couldn’t possibly be Christian? Why?” Mineo asked, and later responded to a follower who said Christians shouldn’t be using profanity, “Your idea of Christianity is black and white. One day you’ll understand there is grey and it’s ok.” ChristianNewsNetwork
Hall traveled to Rome on Thursday to meet with the Roman Catholic leader and other Vatican officials ahead of the event.
“We’ve been praying for this and God has been answering our prayers,” he said in an online video in speaking of Bergoglio’s support of the gathering, explaining that he and a representative
Hall also noted that he and Bergoglio would be praying together on Friday.
Supporters of the event include The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Luis Palau Association, CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ), Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Premiere Productions, the National Day of Prayer, YWAM, the American Bible Society and other organizations.
Confirmed speakers include Francis Chan, Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell, Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd and National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President Samuel Rodriquez. Music will be provided by Michael W. Smith, Hillsong United, Lecrae, Kari Jobe, Jeremy Camp, Lauren Daigle, Casting Crowns, Kirk Franklin, Andy Mineo and Matt Maher, among others.
“I love the name Together,” Joel Houston of Hillsong United said
Worship leader, Matt Maher, who identifies as a Roman Catholic, has outlined at other ecumenical events that he believes it is his calling to work toward to the unification of Christians and Catholics.
“We’ve never seen a unified church before in the history of the church since the Reformation. We don’t even know what it looks like,” he said at OneThing 2015. “I think what the work of unity starts with [is]: It starts with us praying together. It starts with us fellowshiping together. It starts with us having a common respect for each other, a love for each other.”
Gendron is a former Roman Catholic who now teaches evangelicals how to share the gospel with Catholics.
“We’re divided on how one is born again:
Rome says water baptism,
the Bible says the work of the Spirit.
We’re divided on how one is justified:
Rome says faith plus works,
the Bible says faith.
We’re divided on how one is purified of sin:
Rome says purgatory,
the Bible says the blood of Jesus.
We’re divided on the essentials of the gospel:
Rome has other mediators,
the Bible says it’s Christ alone,” he explained.
Gendron said that Jesus himself came to divide with truth, and prayed that His Church would be sanctified with that truth.
In addition to concerns about unification with the Vatican, there
“Do you guys really think if a person uses ‘profanity’ (words we’ve given meaning) in their music they couldn’t possibly be Christian? Why?” Mineo asked, and later responded to a follower who said Christians shouldn’t be using profanity, “Your idea of Christianity is black and white. One day you’ll understand there is grey and it’s ok.” ChristianNewsNetwork
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:
and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?
Revelation 13:4
