Objective Calvary

In 312 AD, during the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine the Great reportedly saw a cross — in the sky accompanied by the words "In hoc signo vinces" ("By this sign, you will conquer"). After a confirming dream, he instructed his soldiers to mark the symbol on their shields. He won the battle and later professed faith in Christ. This moment marked a watershed moment in Church history. Christianity was legalized, persecution was lifted, and the Church began to grow rapidly throughout the world. Yet with this breakthrough came new challenges. As the Church became increasingly institutionalized and intertwined with imperial structures, it gradually shifted from a persecuted and tightly knit family of convicted believers toward a centralized, imperial Church. Human sin within the Church expressed itself through division, bureaucracy, politicization, and a growing emphasis on buildings rather than people. But the Church, the perfect bride of Christ, is called to be unified in its mission, while time still remains. The Church is not called to compete, but to complete one another. There is one Objective to which all true churches are called: to make disciples who take up their cross and follow Jesus Christ to Calvary (Matthew 16:24, 28:18–20). We are one body with many members, called to function in unity to achieve this objective (1 Corinthians 12:12).

This historical inflection point inspires Objective Calvary, to equip the Universal Church with Gospel tools that help communicate the theological, spiritual, and redemptive purpose of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and are relevant to the times as well as current generations (1 Chronicles 12:32).