Lausanne 4 Congress in Seoul Calls for Collaboration for Global Mission

Over 5,200 believers from 202 countries gathered in Incheon-Seoul, South Korea for the fourth Lausanne congress dubbed Lausanne 4. The gathering was the fourth of it’s kind, with the first ever Lausanne gathering happening in 1974. The Seoul congress highlighted unity as the essential element in spreading the gospel to every individual, everywhere. The theme of the congress was: “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together” and the call to collaboration ran through the entire Congress.

African Enterprise was well represented by members of staff from across partnership, including national office team leaders and even support office directors. AEI International Team Leader, Rev. Dr. Stephen Mbogo, who also serves as the Lausanne Regional Leader for the English, Portuguese, Spanish and French speaking Africa (EPSA), was in attendance together with co-leaders Esther Chengo and Emmanuel Kwizera.

The congress addressed many issues including the addressing persecution of the church and suffering in the word today, reflecting Christ in the workplace, fostering leadership through intergenerational discipleship and collaboration for God’s mission.

Emmanuel kwizera, the International Missions Director at African Enterprise International reflected that,

“ Lausanne 4 was more than a beautiful and colorful event, all the conversations are meant to reshape the now and then of world evangelization . As it has been mentioned by several people during and after the Congress ! It’s clear that there is a need to bring back gospel proclamation at the center of the ongoing on conversations for the global mission ( ref The Seoul Statement paragraph 45) ! The church should be vocal and visible. Evangelists have a significant role to play to finish unfinished task. This should be the agenda of the after Congress “

Dr. Stephen Mbogo summarized his experience at the L4 congress as a refreshing encounter.

“The global call to evangelize the world with every nation and entity as a center (polycentrism) came out clearly. Polycentric missions is one of the approaches that were encourage moving forward. Every nation, continent and people group should be seen as a sending base. Traditionally, missionaries have been sent from the west. The clarion call is for all peoples and nations to arise to their equal and dignified call in Christ to equally be senders and not just receivers. For Africa, this call is one whose time is now, given Africa’s numerical strength as the leading (most) populous continent. Lausanne 4 also gave high prominence on the Persecuted church. Our hearts bled as we looked at the Korean church history that has accounts of revival and persecution. India, Middle East and Africa where persecution has also been on the rise than ever before were all brought to the forefront with a call for solidarity. A tag line from Dr Patrick Fung, “Persecution does not kill the church; bad teaching does” remained fixed in our minds.

Persecution does not kill the church; bad teaching does!

I left Lausanne 4 refreshed and renewed in the commitment to Evangelism and accomplishment of the Great Commission. The Lausanne 4 call to the African Enterprise delegation and the African delegation is clear – We must more than ever before rededicate ourselves- soul, body and spirit to our masters call to evangelize the world. With the conflicts that are happening around the world, persecution and massive numbers (3.5 billion) still unreached we must more than ever before arise to the task! We owe it to the Lord and to those, beginning with the early church, that paved the path for us! Let us all, with our Master ran our race to the unreached!”, Rev. Dr. Stephen Mbogo.