Over 5,000 participants from 22 countries
Reflecting on social and mission issues today to seek a gospel-centered response
A report from the opening ceremony of the 4th Lausanne Conference being held at Incheon Convensia from the 22nd to the 28th. The event gathered gospel workers from around the world to discuss global mission direction.
Themed “Church, Proclaim and Represent Christ Together,” the 4th Lausanne Conference began with an opening ceremony on the 22nd at Incheon Convensia and will continue until the 28th. Originating in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1974, the Lausanne Conference gathers global evangelical churches to review contemporary mission challenges and set common guidelines for the global church’s direction.
This fourth conference, attended by church leaders, missionaries, theologians, and activists from over 200 countries, emphasized a unified direction in the gospel that transcends nationality, race, generation, gender, and language. Participants highlighted the unity in Christ within the diversity of the churches.
The joint conference Chairman, Rev. Jae-hoon Lee, expressed the need for the Lausanne Conference to bring peace, healing, and transformation through the gospel amidst global conflicts and divisions. He emphasized collaboration in modern missions and the importance of proclaiming truth and righteousness as stated in the Bible.
Michael Oh, the International Director of the Lausanne Movement, stressed the challenges in spreading the gospel in today’s world and urged for repentance, transformation, and a renewed focus on social responsibility in evangelism. He mentioned the historical role of Korea in integrating social work with gospel preaching.
The conference will address various themes related to revival, mission community, persecution and mission, workplace ministry, and servant leadership. It will also feature evening gatherings to share about the situation of global churches and reflections on the history and present of the Korean church.
Through 25 issue track sessions, participants will discuss gospel-centered responses to diverse social and mission issues faced by the global church today. Key documents outlining the future mission directions of evangelical churches, such as the Seoul Declaration, reports on accomplishing the Great Commission, and the Nehemiah Declaration for cooperation and action, will be presented during the event.