The United States sent 2,767 participants, five times as many as any other country, Although participants included prominent theologians, strategists and church leaders, approximately three-fourths of the attendees were itinerant evangelists. More than 75 percent of the participants came from developing nations. Amsterdam 2000 gave many of the world's church leaders their initial training in evangelism. The participants can implement and carry out the training received during the conference in their respective communities around the globe.
Leading conference speakers included Dr. Graham's children, Franklin Graham and Ann Graham Lotz, as well as Bill and Vonette Bright, George Carey, Chuck Colson, Stephen Olford, J. I. Packer, Luis Palau, John Stott, and Ravi Zacharias. In addition, the podium and stage were shared by outstanding leaders, liturgical dancers and musicians from various continents of the world. Prayer and a review of evangelistic progress and prospects highlighted the conference which also brought fourth strategies for sharing the Gospel with the entire world during this generation.
Speaking on the reception of global evangelistic efforts in today's society, Dr. Ravi Zacharias emphasized that evangelists face challenges because members of the current generation "listen with their eyes and think with their feelings." Moved by what they see, hear and feel, individuals readily perceive the things that touch their senses. Therefore, the need to pierce the hearts of people with the Gospel is increased worldwide.
Franklin Graham's international relief organization, Samaritan's Purse, conducted medical clinics during the event. The organization also provided thousands of subsidized participants with a backpack, two new shirts, a tie or scarf, and ten articles of clothing their families.

The Amsterdam Declaration

The Amsterdam Declaration a ten-page report presented by three task groups of church leaders, theologians, and strategists from around the world. Dr. Timothy George, dean an professor at Beeson Divinity School Birmingham, Alabama, headed the task, groups and worked closely with them to draft the findings. Described as a "framework for action," this document addresses a variety of issues, including social responsibility, evangelism and discipleship. It was reviewed by hundreds of Christian leaders and evangelists from around the world. The Declaration is commended to God's people everywhere as A Charter for Evangelism in the 21st Century, an expression of evangelical commitment. It is a resource for study, reflection, prayer, and evangelistic outreach.
The Theologians Task Group was under the direction of Dr. J. I. Packer, internationally-known theologian from Regent University in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Discussions centered on the theological concerns facing evangelists and churches as they enter the 21st century. Recommendations were made about how evangelists can faithfully present Christ in a pluralistic world. Dr. Packer addressed the pressure theologians are constantly under to compromise on the fullness of the Christian faith. He specifically addressed faith-related issues such as the Trinity, the incarnation, the substitutionary death of Christ, His bodily resurrection, Christ's heavenly ministry, and His return. Dr. Packer asserted, "At the end of our time together, it was clear that all the theologians had been fortified and renewed in their resolution not to let any part of God's truth go as a result of the kind of pressure under which they are put."
The Strategists Task Group was chaired by Paul Eshleman, who oversees The JESUS Film Project for Campus Crusade for Christ International. This group researched the most effective ways being used to bring people to Christ, and made recommendations on how evangelists can strategically meet the challenges of this new century. According to Eshleman, the primary question evangelists are dealing with is, "What are we going to do differently as the body of Christ in the coming decade to complete the task of world evangelization?"
The Strategists Task Group dealt with more than 250 groups of 10,000 people in areas that lack programs that evangelize the population and plant churches in these areas. This task force garnered voluntary commitments from Christian leaders who desire to touch unreached groups. In the spirit of brotherhood, Eshleman went on to say, "I think we will arrive at a time in history when, as a result of this conference, that someone, somewhere, will care about every unreached people group in the world."
The Church Leaders Task Group, headed by The Most Rev. R. H. Goodhew, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, made recommendations to strengthen evangelism within churches and to improve the relationships and work of evangelists and churches. Rev. Goodhew acknowledged that church leaders are the gatekeepers, or pacesetters, and examples for making the Gospel known. Speaking of some of the issues faced by church leaders, Dr. Goodhew said, "They looked at their own roles as church leaders in the task of evangelism, recognizing that church leaders, with hearts for this work, sometimes get so involved in the administration and simply the maintenance of the church life, that the priority of evangelism becomes less than a practiced priority."
Plenary speaker John Stott, Rector Emeritus of London's All Souls Church, Langham Palace, urged evangelists in attendance to make Bible study their first priority. Quoting the early church father, Jerome, Stott said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." According to Stott, in many churches, "There is growth without depth. Superficiality is everywhere."
Among the most memorable speakers was Steve Saint. His father was Nate Saint, a jungle missionary pilot martyred in 1956 by members of Ecuador's Auca Indian tribe. The world was stunned by the deaths of the missionaries. Saint and his family currently live and work among the Ecuadorian indians. The tribe has changed its name from Auca to Waodani. During the conference, Saint served as translator for two Waodani leaders, Mincaye and Tementa.
Mincaye, one of the Indians who speared Steve's father nearly 50 years ago, is an elder of the tribe and a Christian. Tementa's father made the initial friendly contact with the five missionaries and then participated in their killing. A man who has accepted the Gospel of Love established by Jesus, Mincaye admitted that when foreigners came into their territory, they would spear them and also spear their own people because of the hatred that existed among members of the tribe. "It was the only way they knew." Mincaye admitted that when he speared Steve's father, he didn't know any better. "My heart was black and sick in sin, but I heard that, 'God sent His own Son; His blood dripping and dripping. He washed my heart clean."'
The historic and moving conference concluded with participants from the 209 countries and territories partaking in the Lord's Supper. Quite possibly, it was the largest multi-nation observance of Communion. The Lord's Supper served as a catalyst for the continued development and spread of international evangelism.
Dr. Graham, an internationally-known crusader, was unable to attend the conference due to health complications. In a videotaped message from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Graham proclaimed, "Only eternity will reveal the results of what has been accomplished at Amsterdam 2000. Let us light a fire that will guide men and women into tomorrow and eternity. Let us light a fire that will roll back the poisons of racism, poverty and injustice. Let us light a fire of renewed faith in the Scriptures as the Word of God." In anticipation of the spread of evangelism to all parts of the world, Dr. Graham added, "I would appreciate your continued prayers. I want you to know that I love you, individually and collectively, with all my heart."

Building Relationships Across Nations | Bringing Christ to the Home