In September 2024 I had the privilege of attending the fourth Lausanne Gathering in Seoul, South Korea. The first gathering was held in Lausanne, Switzerland 50 years ago. It was started by Billy Graham to bring together Christian influencers who have a passion for evangelism to network and seek ways to advance the Great Commission. The theme of the gathering in Seoul was "Let the Church declare and display Christ together". The objective was to provide a forum where the 5000 participants could collaborate about how we could work together to close the gaps and pursue opportunities in discipling the nations of the world.
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| T&T was one of over 200 countries represented there |
At the opening ceremony we learnt that one hundred years ago the first missionaries arrived in Incheon, South Korea with the gospel, and now it was the gathering place chosen for this congress! We saw how global missions is not just one way, but is now multidimensional, with missionaries from receiving countries now being to sent to other countries. We recognized that the reputation of the bride of Christ needs to be better; there are too many failures of church leaders. We were admonished that, the closer we get to Christ's return, the more vocal and visible evil will be, so the Church needs to become more vocal and visible in declaring Christ. We were encouraged that although the challenges may be bigger than us, they are not bigger than the Christ in us.
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| Challenge to be intentional about our time at the congress |
On Day 2 we were reminded that no mission can be accomplished without the enabling presence and power of the Holy Spirit; this is what enabled the early Church to grow so quickly. The Church has been accelerating exponentially in Africa because God's Spirit is being given room to move. Prayer was highlighted as a non-negotiable to mission, and we were cautioned not to replace fervent prayers with strategies, logistics and plans. We were then reminded that the Holy Spirit is as much active and relevant today as He was in the early Church, so we should repent and pray for revival.
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| Reminder that the Holy Spirit is still active in revivals today |
The focus for the third day was about encouraging the Church to use their strengths to work together instead of fighting each other. We recognized that the gospel was able to advance unhindered in the early church because of the unity of believers. We examined some of the reasons why the Church was declining: unforgiveness, failure to involve the youth in leadership, too many scandals, failure to equip every believer to do the work of ministry. We were challenged to disciple non-Christians to faith by inviting them into our world and exposing them to truth.
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| With my international sisters dressed in our cultural wear |
The focus for the fourth day of the congress was on the persecuted church. We heard how God used suffering and persecution to increase church growth. Someone who lost his home after his village was burnt to the ground by religious extremists made this powerful declaration, "Despite our destruction and loss, the precious thing we still have is our faith". We were told that persecution is a manifestation of love, as it showed the extent of the love you have for someone by how willing you are to suffer for them. Despite the opposition the Church faces, the Word of God continues to spread. Suffering and persecution is not the end of the story, so we should continue to pray fervently for the persecuted church.
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| Martyrs "lived to be forgotten so Christ could be remembered" |
On Day 5 the theme was "Reflecting Christ in the workplace" as we recognized that full time workers only make up 1% of believers, so there is a need to mobilize Christians in the workplace to be missionaries in their context. As the temple of the Holy Spirit, they carry God's presence with them wherever they go, and this has transforming power. We recognized that programs are not going to win people to the Lord, but people will. The Church's responsibility therefore if to train and equip the 99% and send them out to evangelize in their workplace.
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| Khara from Barbados sharing about how she represents Jesus in the hospital as a doctor |
On Day 6 we considered the importance of leadership and discipleship across generational barriers. We were challenged to recognize that seeing ourselves as servants is central to our evangelism, and that we should not serve at the expense of family life. We were encouraged to see intergenerational collaboration as necessary, since it allows for more to be done together than what one generation can do on its own. We saw the importance of the older generations taking the time to listen to the younger ones, and for the younger generations to take the advice of the older ones - the value of mentorship.
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| Younger leader (Khara) thanking an older leader (Las) for his role in leading Lausanne in the Caribbean |
On the final day of the congress, we were challenged to be prepared for persecution as we proclaim the gospel, and to recognize that God has a plan and purpose for His people in every circumstance of life. We were encouraged to be guided by the Holy Spirit, even when things do not seem to be logical. We were reminded of the process of church growth in a nation; moving from receiving foreign missionaries, to contextualizing faith and making it indigenous, to the indigenous church becoming a mission force. Stories were shared about the rapid increase in bible translation in Africa by Africans rather than involving persons from the West, of Latin America moving from a mission field to a mission force, and of Chinese churches' vision to get the gospel to unreached people groups.
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| Celebrating Lausanne's 50th anniversary |
I am excited to see how God will use the presentations that were shared and the connections which were made during that week in Seoul to advance His Church going forward!
