South Korea (LAU) — The Fourth Lausanne Congress officially opened Sunday in Incheon, marking a pivotal moment for the global church as participants gather from across the world. This significant event is a landmark point on the Lausanne 4 journey, which has been shaped by an extensive global listening process, multiple regional gatherings, and preparation for collaboration around gaps and opportunities that face global missions today.
Together, the Congress participants in Incheon, South Korea are engaging in vital conversations around God’s mission, our obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission, and the church’s calling in today’s rapidly changing world. The Congress theme – ‘Let the church declare and display Christ together’ – is positioned as a rallying cry for God’s people to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully. Collaboration and partnership is a key frame for this Congress, much like the three previous Congresses in 1974 (Lausanne, Switzerland), 1989 (Manila, Philippines), and 2010 (Cape Town, South Africa).
Reflecting on the Congress theme, Patrick Fung, chair of the Congress program theme, shared the significance of a strong emphasis on unity, noting that ‘A divided church has no message for a divided world. God has called us to a unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’
The opening session began 22 September 2024 with a time of celebration and reflection. Highlights included an opening address and introduction to the Congress by Michael Oh, globally represented worship led by Keith and Kristyn Getty, and an introduction to the Congress’ focus on collaborative action. More than 5,000 participants joined the Congress onsite in Incheon, South Korea.
Incheon, South Korea (Photo courtesy of Daesun Kim/Unsplash)
The Congress is being held at the Songdo Convensia, a premier conference venue in Incheon. Beyond the plenary sessions that feature a global lineup of more than 50 speakers and contributors including Anne Zaki (Egypt), Ronaldo Lidório (Brazil), Bishop Hwa Yung (Malaysia), and Rick Warren (United States), there are multiple additional engagement opportunities around the Congress venue including various arts spaces and installations, storytelling booths where participants are invited to share their reflections and testimonies, optional sessions for those interested in workplace ministry and learning more about North Korea, and a Digital Discovery Center that features 40 ministries and projects that are influencing this critical mission arena.
The Congress is hosted in partnership with an Asia Co-Host Committee chaired by Rev. Jaehoon Lee of Onnuri Church. The logistical preparations of the Congress have been championed by over 1,400 operations personnel in 47 teams led by the Korean Preparatory Committee handling aspects of transport, security, visa assistance, venue preparation, catering, broadcasting, and much more. An additional 400 staff, volunteers, and service providers from around the world are working in 17 departments, including operations, communications, program production, registration, and other vital support areas.
Beginning yesterday, the Congress Virtual Experience (VX) allowed thousands more to join remotely, further expanding the reach of the global dialogue. This hybrid format ensures that participants, both onsite and online, can contribute to the shared vision of the Congress. Congress VX features a curation of plenary session content, engaging sessions of collaboration, and a virtual lounge.
Another key highlight is the release of the Seoul Statement, which, alongside the State of the Great Commission report, serves as an informative and inspirational tool throughout the Congress. These two documents form a foundation for deep theological reflection and strategic action, addressing both biblical and missional gaps that have been identified through a comprehensive listening process.
(Photo by Cherry Laithang/Unsplash)
Congress director, David Bennett, notes that ‘the Seoul Statement stands as part of the larger collection of key documents within the Lausanne Movement, building on the legacy of the Lausanne Covenant, the Manila Manifesto, and the Cape Town Commitment. It is designed not to replace, but to complement these foundational documents, providing fresh insights into contemporary theological and missional challenges.’ The statement addresses key theological gaps deemed necessary for strengthening global mission today, drawing on the work of the Theology Working Group — a collective of global theological thinkers and practitioners.
Under the leadership of Ivor Poobalan and Victor Nakah, the Theology Working Group engaged in a rigorous process of reflection and collaboration, producing a document that encourages clarity and conviction in the face of theological and missional confusion. Participants are encouraged to interact with the Seoul Statement during the Congress and engage in meaningful conversations about its implications for the global church.
As the Congress unfolds, the gravity of this moment is evident. The global church, men and women from across spheres of society and sectors of influence, is gathering not only to reflect but to act — collaborating on how to meet the challenges of our time, listen to what God is doing in diverse contexts, and move forward in unity for the sake of the gospel.
For more information about the Fourth Lausanne Congress and to follow the livestream, visit congress.lausanne.org.
Header photo courtesy of Lausanne 4.
