Lausanne’s Fourth Congress on World Evangelism (L4) took place in Seoul (Incheon), South Korea from September 22–28 this year. 2024 also marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Lausanne Congress. Under the leadership of church leaders including Billy Graham and John Stott, the first Congress convened in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1974. Graham emphasized the necessity of fulfilling the Great Commission through global evangelism. Another key feature of Lausanne 1 was an emphasis on reaching unreached people groups.
Fifteen years later, the second Congress met in the Philippines in 1989. One major outcome was the Manila Manifesto, which urged believers to commit to social justice. Attention was also called to the 10/40 Window as a priority for evangelistic efforts.
The third Congress took place in Cape Town, South Africa in 2010. The 4,000 representatives from 198 countries advocated for urban missions, societal issues, and outreach to diaspora communities.
Representation for L4 increased to 5,200 participants coming from over 200 countries. The majority of delegates resided outside of North America (25.5%) and Europe (13%). The highest number of representatives hailed from Asia (36.9%). Envoys from Africa (12.8%), Latin America (7.7%), Oceania (3%), and the Caribbean (1.1%) rounded out those who were present. Of significance, as noted in Christianity Today, were the presence of younger delegates (16% under 40), women (29%), and those who work in the marketplace (28%). The emergence of digital technology was emphasized at L4.
Rather than attempt complete coverage of the Congress in this blog, reflections will be framed around a series of questions to highlight several significant aspects.
What has changed in world evangelism since Lausanne 3 in Cape Town in 2010?
In preparation for L4, the most significant document shared with attendees was the 506-page report on the State of the Great Commission (SOTGC). This massive study describes the state of global missions and points out key challenges toward expanding evangelistic efforts in the upcoming 25 years.
The Seoul Statement was released on the first evening of the conference:
How did L4 address the key challenges identified in the SOTGC?
In addition to the themes presented in the morning and evening general assemblies, delegates were channeled into two-hour working sessions for four afternoons to address one of the gaps identified by the SOTGC. Depending on their interest, they could choose from among these 25 “Collaborate” groups:
1 – The Global Aging Population
4 – Islam
5 – Secularism
7 – Scripture in a Digital Age
8 – Church Forms in a Digital Age
9 – Discipleship in a Digital Age
10 – Evangelism in a Digital Age
11 – AI & Transhumanism
12 – Sexuality & Gender
13 – Wholistic Health
14 – Polycentric Missions
15 – Polycentric Resource Mobilization
16 – Integrity & Anti-Corruption
17 – Integrated Spirituality & Mission
18 – Developing Leaders of Character
19 – People on the Move
20 – Urban Communities
21 – Digital Communities
22 – Ethnicism & Racism
23 – Christianity, Radical Politics, & Religious Freedom
24 – Caring for Creation & the Vulnerable
25 – Societal Trust & Influence of Christianity
Each collaborate theme was further broken down into sub-topics for discussion at individual tables. The goal was for action plans to be developed from each table and for delegates to commit to working collaboratively with others to help close these SOTGC gaps by the year 2050. At the closing assembly, attendees were challenged to sign a “Collaborative Action Commitment.”
What were some of the repeated catchphrases used at L4?
- “I don’t need you”—We dare not say this as we cannot afford to work in silos. We need one another.
- “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together”—A huge banner in the assembly hall proclaimed the need to share a holistic gospel through word and deed. This theme was further developed by this fourfold vision emphasized in the collaborate sessions:
- The gospel for every person
- Disciple-making churches for every people and place
- Christ-like leaders in every church and sector
- Kingdom impact in every sphere of society
- “They gossiped the gospel”—The early church spread the gospel at and through their workplaces as sharing the good news was part and parcel of their lives.
- There was a continual reminder from various speakers of the power, work, and direction given by the Holy Spirit.
What was emphasized in the morning Bible studies?
Each morning, a global scholar presented an exposition from the Book of Acts. The power and acts of the Holy Spirit through the early believers were emphasized. This new community was first called Christians because they resembled Christ. As representatives of the priesthood of all believers, ordinary men and women were living witnesses of Jesus. The gospel spread through multitudes of largely unknown, unnamed, and uncelebrated disciples because they engaged the world in their workplaces and through their vocations. Despite facing struggles and persecution, the gospel will surely reach the ends of the earth.
What was it like to worship with 5,200 people from over 200 nations?
Several times it was mentioned that worshipping with so many from other tribes and nations was a foretaste of the Revelation 7:9-10 experience. At times, lyrics were projected in Korean or Spanish. It was an uplifting experience, particularly when worship punctuated a message that had just been shared.
The primary worship team was the world-renowned Gettys, who led in the singing of both classic and contemporary hymns. The other band was the Korean group, Isaiah 6tyOne. Its wheelhouse is leading popular contemporary choruses.
What were some of the more emotional moments?
While opinions will vary with individuals, three highlights were:
- The celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Lausanne—Its profound contributions to the global church were highlighted. Billy Graham’s call for “The whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world” remains in force. Digital technology must be utilized to reach and disciple the younger generation.
- The evening session dedicated to the persecuted church—The Great Commission advances due to the courage of believers around the world, willing to sacrifice their lives for the gospel. As Patrick Fung shared from his morning Bible Study, “Persecution never killed the church. A compromised gospel will.”
- The Twelve Stones of the Korean Church—This presentation in drama and song depicted both the highlights and struggles in the history of the Korean church dating back to the 1800s.
What activities were of special interest to the Chinese church?
- Within the plenary programming, a speaker highlighted the Mission China 2030 vision, first launched at the Asian Church Leaders Forum in 2013. For the first 100 years of Christianity in China, missionaries came to China. The second 100 years saw the advance of the gospel in China. In the third 100 years, a major goal is to send out an overseas missionary force.
- Missionary David Ro had the opportunity to reinforce these mission initiatives in his segment. After the Cultural Revolution, the Holy Spirit worked in the countryside, and from there to the cities. There were church planting, discipleship endeavors, and holistic ministry efforts to care for the poor, including those who were earthquake victims. He confirmed the goal of engaging in long-term cross-cultural overseas ministry to reflect the DNA of being a missionary people.
- Preceding the formal daily programming, a Beijing Brief Webinar with Chinese leaders was held on Friday morning to discuss insights and significant updates on the current situation of the church in China. The consensus was that there currently are many restrictions on ministry activities.
- The Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism (CCCOWE) conducted a meeting with approximately 100 participants, including representatives from China. Four key gaps remain to be bridged: (1) The two generations; (2) The old and the new; (3) East and the West; and (4) Between denominations.
- There may well have been other meetings among the Chinese that were not publicized due to security concerns.
Where can I find detailed summaries of the activities each day at L4?
CCCOWE has released these daily summaries as a reference.
Please note: This summary is for reference only and may not cover all session content. For complete and accurate information, please refer to the official Lausanne Congress resources.
Image credit: Header: Joann Pittman; 1st to 3rd in-text: Brent Fulton; 4th in-text: Ray Peng; 5th in-text: Grace Lung
Andrew Lee
Andrew Lee is the Associate Director of the Global Diaspora Institute at Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. He has served at the largest Chinese churches in New York City and Chicago. He has also been a seminary professor at several institutions and has written for both the academic and ministry …View Full Bio
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