Highlight #1 Connections with the Global Mission Community
Attending the Fourth Lausanne Congress in South Korea was like stepping into a sacred symphony. Imagine a room filled with over 5,000 believers from 200 nations, their voices united in worship of the true and living God. It was a breathtaking experience that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Over the past 50 years, the Lausanne Movement has been the catalyst for key shifts in global evangelical mission strategy.
- The first Lausanne Congress in 1974 laid the foundation for pursuing unreached people groups with the gospel and drafted a Covenant that has proven highly influential among evangelical churches and organizations.
- The gathering in Manila in 1989 emphasized cross-cultural ministry and contextualization in church planting, while directing attention to the 10/40 window.
- At Cape Town in 2010, the Congress reinforced the integration of evangelism (gospel proclamation) and social action (gospel demonstration), a perspective that has become foundational to many evangelical efforts today.
A Polycentric Mission
One of the new terms that came out of the Congress, for me at least, was the emergence of polycentric mission. Gone are the days when missions were primarily driven by Western nations. Today, churches from all corners of the globe are sending missionaries and supporting missions around the world. It’s a beautiful testament to the unity of the Church and the global nature of God’s mission.
The Seoul Statement and a Theology of the Body
The Seoul Statement sparked a lot of conversation, particularly its emphasis on human anthropology and a biblical view of sexuality. While there were some criticisms, I believe the statement is a valuable resource for the church. It provides a much-needed framework for understanding these complex issues in a biblical way.
The Future of Mission
The Fourth Lausanne Congress was a reminder that despite the challenges facing the world, the Church is alive and well. We are a global community united by our faith in Jesus Christ. As we move forward, let us continue to work together, to love our neighbors, and to proclaim the good news of the gospel to all people.
Highlight #2 Connections with my S. Korean Hosts
When I arrived in Seoul, it was 12:30am. The terminal was nearly empty, and there was a sign with the Lausanne logo pointing guests to the very end of a long terminal for the shuttles to the various hotels where people were staying. I debated on whether I should assume that no one was waiting for me and book an Uber. I chose the former, and to my surprise, there were three volunteers waiting for me!
This completely set the tone for my week. I was struck by the kindness of my host. The way they greeted me. The manner in which they served me when I had questions.
Imagine, shuttling 5,000 people to and from the convention center in Seoul daily, feeding 5,000 people twice a day, and responding to an assortment of questions from people of various cultures, speaking different languages than your mother tongue. It was amazing.
Highlight #3 Connections with Mission Leaders
Conversations Across Cultures
I had the privilege of participating in a table group with leaders from Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, Scotland, and a missionary from the US to France. Our discussions were both challenging and enriching. We explored everything from the gospel, peace and reconciliation, to reaching people far from God through church planting; I was deeply inspired by the diversity of perspectives and experiences.
Conversations with my Roommate
Yeswin is an intelligent young man, engaging, and a real joy to be around. Surprisingly, he was still awake when I arrived around 1:30am (due to my canceled flight). Every morning we went to breakfast together, traveled by bus to the convention center, and then debriefed in the evening in our room. He is a former hotel manager, but relocated his family to serve in a restricted context. Listen to his story about a project he and his wife (Shammah) conceived with their church – CLICK HERE to learn more.
Conversations with Friends
Strategically, I met with a number of people with whom I will keep in touch for ministry opportunities in India, the Philippines, and beyond. It is difficult to walk the fine line of telling enough and telling too much because some of these relationships need to remain confidential, due to the nature of their work. But conversations were started that will continue into the future. Stay tuned as some of these gather clarity and momentum for ministry opportunities to multiply disciples, cultivate leaders, and plant churches in places “people don’t want to go, can’t go, or are not able to go!” (a quote from my new friend Chris who is pictured above)
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