Mission:
The 4th Lausanne Congress opens in South Korea with a focus on collaboration
More than 5,000 evangelical leaders from nearly 200 countries are meeting from September 22 to 28 in Incheon, a suburb of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, for the 4th Congress of the Lausanne Movement.
With the motto "May the Church together proclaim and highlight Christ", the 4th Congress in Lausanne, dedicated to world evangelization, underlines the importance of collaboration among Christians to accomplish the Great Commission. "The most dangerous words in global mission are, 'I don't need you,'" Michael Oh, global executive director of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism, said at the first plenary session on September 22. In front of a crowd of nearly 5,000 people with various profiles — professionals, missionaries, members of youth organizations and church representatives — from 200 countries, he hammered home the importance of active collaboration of Christians in the mission: "You are not there to be passive observers of an event, but active participants, part of the body of Christ for his mission." At the same time, another 5,000 participants are taking part in this remote event, mobilizing a total of 1,800 volunteers and 4,000 intercessors among Korean churches.
While the gathering is being held in the coastal city of Incheon, Michael Oh recalled that it was through this port that the Gospel arrived in Korea in 1885, thanks to the missionaries Henry Appenzeller and his wife, who disembarked at the port of Jemulpo, now one of the districts of Incheon. Michael Oh's personal story is thus linked to that of the mission, because he confided that he himself was originally from this region through his grandfather who became a Christian thanks to the fruits of this mission.
Diversity also in praiseIn the Songdo Convensia, a conference venue that hosted the Global Forum of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2018, participants were able to listen to a choir bringing together singers from many churches in Korea perform classical hymns, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Another continent, another style: Keith and Kristyn Getty, a musical duo from Northern Ireland known for the hymn "In Christ Alone", led a time of worship with Celtic accents. The evening ended with songs, while an artist drew Christ on the cross live thanks to an augmented reality headset, mixing art, faith and technology, recalling the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel in the all-digital age.
The Seoul ProclamationOther highlights of the first day include the publication of the Seoul Proclamation, which, along with its counterpart the State Report of the Grand Commission, serves as a tool throughout the Congress. These two documents provide a basis for the organizers for in-depth theological reflection and strategic action, addressing the biblical and missional gaps identified through a comprehensive listening process.
"The Seoul Proclamation is designed not to replace, but to complement the foundational documents of the Lausanne Declaration, the Manila Manifesto and the Cape Town Commitment, providing new insights into contemporary theological and missional challenges," said David Bennett, Director of the Congress.
The Seoul/Incheon meeting also marks the 50th anniversary of the Movement, which began in 1974 with Billy Graham and 2,700 Christian leaders from 150 countries in Lausanne, Switzerland. Since then, two other congresses have been held, in Manila in 1989, and in Cape Town in 2010.
With the motto "May the Church together proclaim and highlight Christ", the 4th Congress in Lausanne, dedicated to world evangelization, underlines the importance of collaboration among Christians to accomplish the Great Commission. "The most dangerous words in global mission are, 'I don't need you,'" Michael Oh, global executive director of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism, said at the first plenary session on September 22. In front of a crowd of nearly 5,000 people with various profiles — professionals, missionaries, members of youth organizations and church representatives — from 200 countries, he hammered home the importance of active collaboration of Christians in the mission: "You are not there to be passive observers of an event, but active participants, part of the body of Christ for his mission." At the same time, another 5,000 participants are taking part in this remote event, mobilizing a total of 1,800 volunteers and 4,000 intercessors among Korean churches.
While the gathering is being held in the coastal city of Incheon, Michael Oh recalled that it was through this port that the Gospel arrived in Korea in 1885, thanks to the missionaries Henry Appenzeller and his wife, who disembarked at the port of Jemulpo, now one of the districts of Incheon. Michael Oh's personal story is thus linked to that of the mission, because he confided that he himself was originally from this region through his grandfather who became a Christian thanks to the fruits of this mission.
Diversity also in praiseIn the Songdo Convensia, a conference venue that hosted the Global Forum of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2018, participants were able to listen to a choir bringing together singers from many churches in Korea perform classical hymns, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Another continent, another style: Keith and Kristyn Getty, a musical duo from Northern Ireland known for the hymn "In Christ Alone", led a time of worship with Celtic accents. The evening ended with songs, while an artist drew Christ on the cross live thanks to an augmented reality headset, mixing art, faith and technology, recalling the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel in the all-digital age.
The Seoul ProclamationOther highlights of the first day include the publication of the Seoul Proclamation, which, along with its counterpart the State Report of the Grand Commission, serves as a tool throughout the Congress. These two documents provide a basis for the organizers for in-depth theological reflection and strategic action, addressing the biblical and missional gaps identified through a comprehensive listening process.
"The Seoul Proclamation is designed not to replace, but to complement the foundational documents of the Lausanne Declaration, the Manila Manifesto and the Cape Town Commitment, providing new insights into contemporary theological and missional challenges," said David Bennett, Director of the Congress.
The Seoul/Incheon meeting also marks the 50th anniversary of the Movement, which began in 1974 with Billy Graham and 2,700 Christian leaders from 150 countries in Lausanne, Switzerland. Since then, two other congresses have been held, in Manila in 1989, and in Cape Town in 2010.