{"id":42423,"date":"2024-09-23T11:58:28","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T10:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/?page_id=42423"},"modified":"2024-09-24T13:14:09","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T12:14:09","slug":"the-gospel-embodied","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/the-gospel-embodied\/","title":{"rendered":"THE GOSPEL EMBODIED"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Since the sad news of Daniel Bourdann\u00e9\u2019s death from cancer on 6 September 2024, glowing tributes have poured in from across IFES and beyond.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This is not a sign of the titles he held \u2013 11 years as IFES Regional Secretary for Francophone Africa and 12 years as IFES General Secretary. Rather, it reflects how he fulfilled those roles: through his closely-held gospel values, visionary leadership, humble service, and friendly, godly manner. The flood of tributes is testimony to God\u2019s gracious and glorious work in his life. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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An Early Revelation<\/strong> <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Born in Malanegome, in the Mayo Kebbi West region of Chad, Daniel \u2013 at barely 14 years old \u2013 attended his first meeting of what would become UJC, the local IFES movement (working in high schools and universities).  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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While participating in an inductive Bible study on Revelation 1, his eyes were opened to the joys of Scripture engagement among fellow students.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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He noticed that the group loved God and God\u2019s Word, enthusiastically devoting themselves to prayer, evangelism, and worship. Through that experience, he said he \u201cfell in love with student work\u201d. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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As a university student in Chad, Daniel\u2019s involvement with the movement continued, until war forced him to move to Togo. There, unfazed, he helped revive the struggling campus ministry as a student leader, before moving on to C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire to complete a PhD. There, studying animal ecology at the University of Abidjan, Daniel became a world expert in millipedes. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A Growing Call<\/strong> <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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While this level of academic attainment reflects a deep intellect, it also speaks to his  conviction that faith connects with all of life. Later, as IFES General Secretary, he would encourage the development of the Engaging the University initiative, ensuring that a holistic approach to faith became central to the IFES mission. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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At a 2007 symposium entitled \u201c\u2018Engaging the University: Student Mission and the Christian Mind\u201d he said: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cI would like to humbly suggest an enriching of the current paradigm with a new paradigm that considers the university as a community and approaches it in an organic, \u2018grass roots\u2019, and incarnational way. Our Christian witness should be lived out there through a dynamic of real internal, holistic transformation. I dream of a union of national movements that approach the university from the perspective of an integrated gospel, through the dynamic of real transformation, far from the dualism of an individualistic gospel.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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But it was long before this, while teaching biology in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire in the late 1980s, that Daniel felt called to serve in IFES. He heard his Lord say: \u201cYou have been blessed so much by this ministry; why not consider helping other students to be blessed like you were?\u201d. He responded by joining IFES staff in Francophone Africa for 16 years \u2013 first as a travelling secretary, then as literature secretary, and later as regional secretary (1995-2006). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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As a young staff worker in Abidjan, God guided his course to a \u201ccaptivating\u201d medical student from Niger called Halimatou, who he would later marry. Together, they lovingly raised Tamib\u00e9, Salamatou, Oumarou and later adopted Rosine after the death of her parents. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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During his service in Francophone Africa, Daniel\u2019s intellectual engagement with faith left a strong legacy. He led significant training initiatives, including the Forum de Th\u00e9ologie pour l\u2019Eglise,<\/em> designed to bring theological academics and local churches together, the Centre Africain du Christianisme Contemporain, <\/em>an IFES Leadership Training Centre for Francophone Africa, and the Tyranus<\/em> biblical preaching initiative.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Aware of the need for Christian literature that addressed contemporary issues, Daniel became instrumental in establishing and expanding the publication of quality books under Presses Bibliques Africaines <\/em>(PBA). He also authored influential books, including titles on leadership (Leadership pour l’excellence,<\/em> as editor), marriage (Trois mariage pour un\u202fcouple<\/em>), and the dangers of prosperity theology (L’\u00e9vangile de la prosp\u00e9rit\u00e9, un danger pour l’\u00e9glise africaine<\/em>). Today, PBA is a leading evangelical publishing house in Francophone Africa. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In recognition of his academic and active contributions to theology and public witness, Daniel was awarded the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life at Calvin College (Michigan, USA) in 2018.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cDaniel\u2019s focus on the development and ministry to and for the whole person, individually and in society, is an inspiration to integral and responsible Christian public work,\u201d<\/em> noted Michael Le Roy, president of Calvin College.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A Global Appointment<\/strong> <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Given that Daniel was both shaped by and a shaper of IFES ministry in Francophone Africa, it was particularly fitting that he was selected to be IFES General Secretary in 2007. Yet, the significance of his appointment should not be overlooked. Lindsay Brown, Daniel\u2019s predecessor, says:  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cDaniel was one of the first from Francophone Africa to lead a global, multilingual organisation. His appointment reflected how the make-up of the global church and its leadership was shifting. And given that Chad was one of the world\u2019s poorest countries at the time, it is testimony to the grace and goodness of God \u2013 that a weak national economy is not a hindrance to God raising up leaders to serve him in his global church.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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However, it was not without sacrifice and challenge that Daniel met God\u2019s call to be a trailblazing example. In moving to Oxford for his new role, Daniel faced delays, detention, and deportation due to the British visa process. But after prayerful, gracious perseverance, he and his family were able to settle in the UK, from where he travelled widely to visit a growing family of national student movements, strengthening them with prophetic insight and pastoral care. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Once, when asked about his PhD knowledge of millipedes, he quipped that it stood him in good stead for his role in IFES because, just as a millipede\u2019s body has hundreds of legs that must work together for forward movement, so he was leading a body connecting over 160 different student ministries that must work together. As a Francophone African with much cross-cultural experience, Daniel was able to hold together a diverse fellowship in an increasingly divided world. He was also instrumental in strengthening these many \u201clegs\u201d by championing governance development for national movements. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Beyond IFES, his perspective and wisdom were appreciated on the boards of other Christian organizations in Africa, as an International Deputy Director of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, and on the International Board for the Lausanne Movement. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Former IFES Regional Secretary for Francophone Africa, Augustin Ahoga, notes the influential vision Daniel possessed: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cHe was a visionary, a deconstructor of old paradigms. He dreamed of a Christianity that would free humanity from injustice and exploitation so that it would become a witness to what God wanted the world to be when he created it, a world imbued with love. He always wanted to see that begin with his own continent and viewed the IFES ministry in Francophone Africa as a prophetic voice.\u201d   <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A Visionary Leader with a Servant Heart<\/strong> <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Daniel\u2019s rich experience, discerning mind, and deep faith enabled him to see which IFES ministry areas required focused attention. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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As he started his role, Daniel formulated the Living Stones<\/em> vision that would steer IFES through the 2010s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Undergirding its priorities and foundations were three \u201ccore commitments\u201d: prayer, Scripture engagement, and community. He was adamant that these essential components must permeate all ministry work.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Whilst truly grateful to serve an international fellowship with movements in over 160 countries, Daniel felt the burden of unreached places. He recognised that many cities and campuses lacked a Christian witness, saying that \u201cnow is the time for us to push out our boundaries, to step out in faith and prayer to break new ground for the kingdom\u201d.  <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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This gave impetus to the Breaking New Ground project, launched in 2018 with the goal of supporting 100 new planting initiatives by 2020. Thanks to this project, over 600 new groups have since been established across the world. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Daniel similarly appreciated the need for leadership development and implored the fellowship to invest in it. This resulted in greater intentionality around developing staff capable of leading IFES ministry into the future. One expression of that vision is the Global Leadership Initiative (GLI): an 18-month mentoring program launched in 2015, which continues to produce new IFES leaders. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This kind of forward-thinking vision was typical of Daniel; his self-effacing service was concerned with raising others up. Indeed, despite his stature as a global leader, he remained humble and approachable.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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One small incident vividly illustrates his lack of pretence and keen interest in students: a colleague recalls how some officials at an Urbana conference spotted Daniel in a long queue, waiting for food; when they approached to fast-track Daniel to the top of the line, he declined the offer, preferring instead to carry on enjoying conversation with the students.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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And Doug Birdsall, former Chair of the Lausanne Movement, remembers the warmth of relationships during his visit to Daniel\u2019s home in Abidjan in 2005:  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThe feast on the dining room table was surrounded by as many as the room and table could accommodate. As we were talking, I would hear one person address\u202fDaniel as \u2018Pappa\u2019, another as \u2018Uncle\u2019, and others as \u2018Daddy\u2019. At one point, I stopped and asked, \u2018Who’s related to who, here?\u2019. They all laughed, and one of them said, \u2018This is Africa! He is Daddy and Uncle to all of us!\u2019\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Daniel\u2019s years as the leader of a global movement did not change him. Tim Adams, current IFES General Secretary, describes the kind of relationship he experienced during that time: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cHe was never motivated by money or position. He was my boss for more than a decade, but he resisted the labels and posture of power. He chose to adopt the posture of a mentor, an older brother who wanted to be alongside to help me thrive in my work. To me, as to many of you, he was first a role model, a friend, and an \u2018Oncle\u2019.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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This warmth and familiarity never detracted from the sense of respect colleagues felt towards Daniel. Klaingar Ngarial, current IFES Regional Secretary for Francophone Africa, insists: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cThose of us who have been Daniel’s fellow-workers consider ourselves more as his disciples than his peers \u2013 this is how much the foresight and character of his leadership has impacted us!\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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… <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Over his 64 years, Daniel responded to the gospel in Scripture, grew in his passion to share the gospel and promote its relevance to all of life, and allowed the gospel to orientate his ministry and shape his character. Through all and above all, Daniel embodied the gospel. He lived out his faith in his studies, in his work, and in his home, always open to how God would guide. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In his farewell letter as General Secretary, he wrote about his family\u2019s journey:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u201cthrough our years in IFES, we have been committed to following God where he precedes us and invites us.\u201d  <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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His Lord has now invited Daniel to the place where he has already gone (John 14). As a fellowship, we are profoundly grateful for the years Daniel spent with us, for the gift he has been to us.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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As we grieve this great loss to a loving family and the global church, we do so with the hope that his legacy will raise up many more who embody the gospel. And we hold fast to the promise that the \u201cearthly tent\u201d with which he embodied the gospel will one day be raised in glory. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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