Lausanne Leaders Meet to Review Progress Since World Evangelisation Forum

The International Leadership Team of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelisation has met in Hong Kong, June 20–22, to review the progress of the Lausanne movement since the 2004 Forum for World Evangelisation last autumn in Pattaya, Thailand.

Rev Doug Birdsall, Lausanne Executive Chair, said this team is the strongest Lausanne has had in fifteen years: "This younger generation of leaders fully embraces the history and the rich legacy of the Lausanne movement."

He added optimistically, "These men and women are committed to providing leadership and service that will enable the movement to press forward in the 21st Century with fresh ideas and renewed devotion to the Lord and the Spirit of Lausanne."

The meeting was attended by Lausanne’s International Deputy Directors (which represent a total of 11 regions from around the world), Senior Associates, Senior Advisors, 2004 Forum Issue Group Leaders, National and Regional Committee representatives, organisers of the 2006 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering, the Lausanne Administrative Committee and Lausanne Staff all participated.

As well as the progress of the Lausanne movement, also up for discussion at the meeting were the recently released 2004 Forum Lausanne Occasional Papers (LOPs), which provide research, analysis and biblical reflection on 31 key problem areas that continue to hinder the advancement of world evangelism. These are: globalisation, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the persecuted church, ministry to Unreached People Groups and the disabled, media and technology, and making disciples of oral learners.

Another important issue discussed at the meeting was the way for Lausanne to best "ensure the dissemination of the information about Lausanne and the implementation of action plans proposed in the LOPs."

Birdall does not seem worried, however. "A new generation of leaders brings with them a high level of energy and a fresh commitment to advance the ideals of 'the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world," he said.

The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelisation is the result of The Lausanne Covenant, developed at the 1974 International Congress on World Evangelisation held in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Lausanne is dedicated to world evangelisation and the support of churches, denominations, ministries, networks and individuals in light of this aim, providing consultations at the regional, national and international level, conferences on evangelism, a monthly newsletter, as well as the LOPs.

Lausanne is currently planning the 2006 Young Leaders Conference and 2010 Congress on World Evangelisation – both to be held in Asia.