Attending the Lausanne 4 Congress in Seoul last month was an incredible privilege.
Being among over 5,000 participants from nearly every nation, united in worship and mission, felt like a foretaste of heaven. The theme, “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together”, echoed through every session, conversation and shared prayer. It was awe-inspiring to witness how God is at work across the globe, revealing the depth of the gospel's impact and the vastness of the body of Christ. Lausanne 4 offered a profound glimpse into the heart of the global church – a reminder of the unity, diversity, and shared mission we are called to as the body of Christ.
The hospitality in Seoul was incredible! Around 500 core team members and volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes, while over 1,600 members of the Korean Church welcomed us warmly, always smiling at every door. On the final day, we were sent off with heartfelt thanks. Meanwhile, nearly 7,000 Korean intercessors gathered to pray for the congress, showing the deep spiritual devotion that is a hallmark of the Korean church.
Every participant will have their own reflections on the Congress. Organising such a large event is a massive effort, but I’ll focus on the positives. Here are my five key takeaways:
Lausanne’s roots trace back to 1974, when the first congress brought global attention to the Great Commission, calling the church to make disciples of all nations. 50 years later, at Lausanne 4 (where we celebrated this 50th anniversary one evening), this commitment was renewed, with an urgent call for us to re-centre our mission on Jesus in a broken world. Proclaiming and displaying Christ is not just an individual task, it’s the call of the global church.
We were reminded of how essential it is to show the world who Jesus is – not only through our words but through how we live.
One memorable talk was by Vaughan Roberts, who spoke on “Restoring Biblical Sexuality”. He explored a biblical framework for understanding sex and sexuality through the lenses of creation, fall, and redemption, discussing how God's original design for human relationships has been distorted by modern culture's emphasis on self-expression. He called for humility and compassion, urging churches to hold onto biblical truth while pointing people toward Christ as the ultimate source of love and satisfaction.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Lausanne 4 was the rich diversity of its participants.
From every cultural, denominational, and theological background, leaders shared stories of God’s work in their contexts. The diversity of voices – from speakers to workshop leaders to the people I met – revealed the beauty of the global church.
Having coffee with a young Nepalese man who is training pastors across Nepal, where they cannot attend Bible College, was inspiring. My table group, consisting of six people from five different countries, was a highlight of my experience.
I only wish I had brought gifts from New Zealand to share!
This diversity challenges us to embrace the body of Christ in all its fullness, as described in 1 Corinthians 12 – every part of the body has a role to play. I believe we have opportunities, even in New Zealand, to notice and embrace the gifts of the global church right here in these islands.
The Congress showcased how the global church is responding creatively to the challenges of this age. From digital evangelism to community outreach, churches are innovating and adapting in ways that inspire hope.
One standout example was the introduction of a Minecraft-based tool for engaging younger generations in mission work by transforming the virtual environment into a space for discipleship, making the gospel accessible to a new generation.
Lausanne’s emphasis on the Digital Discovery Centre reminded me that the church must continually be open to new ways God is moving, especially in times of political and economic instability. In places where Bibles were once smuggled, we can now reach people digitally. No one is beyond the reach of the gospel. It’s our creativity and dependence on the Spirit of God that will break barriers.
A recurring theme throughout Lausanne 4 was unity in mission.
Dr Anne Zaki from Egypt preached from Acts 15, reflecting on the first church council and the early church's struggle with division. Taking a cue from the early church, her message highlighted the need for leaders to step up and confront difficult issues. She stressed that staying silent may come at a significant cost, and confronting falsehoods is essential to maintaining the integrity and unity of the body of Christ.
The Congress was also designed to create spaces for collaboration using digital tools. In a world increasingly divided by politics, economics, and ideology, the church is called to be a force for reconciliation and partnership. We were reminded that, despite our differences, we are united in our love for Christ and our shared mission to make him known. A powerful expression of this unity was the Korean Church's storytelling through the “12 Stones” display, which highlighted pivotal moments of faith in Korea’s history. This, along with the collective singing of Amazing Grace, was a reminder that our unity in Christ rises above borders, cultures and conflicts.
Hearing from the persecuted church was both humbling and inspiring. Stories of courage and faith – like the testimony of Rev Vijay Paul Emerson, who held a half-burned Bible salvaged from an anti-Christian attack – reminded us of the cost of following Christ in many parts of the world. Dr Patrick Fung gave a powerful exposition on Acts 8 and Acts 11. He focused on the unnamed disciples who, despite facing persecution, courageously spread the gospel wherever they went. I loved how Fung highlighted their humility and willingness to “live to be forgotten so that Christ would be remembered”. These mission breakthroughs often come from those at the periphery rather than the centre.
We heard many stories of the persecuted church. I was challenged to examine my own faith and ask, “How far are we willing to go for the sake of Christ?” For those of us living in places of religious freedom, like New Zealand, the challenge is to live boldly for the gospel, with the same courage displayed by our persecuted brothers and sisters.
Lausanne 4 was a vivid reminder that the global church is alive, diverse and on mission. We are called to proclaim and live out the good news of Jesus Christ, embracing our diversity, innovating for the sake of the gospel and standing united in a divided world.
Above all, the faith and resilience of the persecuted church should inspire us to hold fast to the gospel, no matter the cost. Now is the time for the church to rise and show the world what it truly means to follow Jesus.
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series below.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Attending the Lausanne 4 Congress in Seoul last month was an incredible privilege.
Being among over 5,000 participants from nearly every nation, united in worship and mission, felt like a foretaste of heaven. The theme, “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together”, echoed through every session, conversation and shared prayer. It was awe-inspiring to witness how God is at work across the globe, revealing the depth of the gospel's impact and the vastness of the body of Christ. Lausanne 4 offered a profound glimpse into the heart of the global church – a reminder of the unity, diversity, and shared mission we are called to as the body of Christ.
The hospitality in Seoul was incredible! Around 500 core team members and volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes, while over 1,600 members of the Korean Church welcomed us warmly, always smiling at every door. On the final day, we were sent off with heartfelt thanks. Meanwhile, nearly 7,000 Korean intercessors gathered to pray for the congress, showing the deep spiritual devotion that is a hallmark of the Korean church.
Every participant will have their own reflections on the Congress. Organising such a large event is a massive effort, but I’ll focus on the positives. Here are my five key takeaways:
Lausanne’s roots trace back to 1974, when the first congress brought global attention to the Great Commission, calling the church to make disciples of all nations. 50 years later, at Lausanne 4 (where we celebrated this 50th anniversary one evening), this commitment was renewed, with an urgent call for us to re-centre our mission on Jesus in a broken world. Proclaiming and displaying Christ is not just an individual task, it’s the call of the global church.
We were reminded of how essential it is to show the world who Jesus is – not only through our words but through how we live.
One memorable talk was by Vaughan Roberts, who spoke on “Restoring Biblical Sexuality”. He explored a biblical framework for understanding sex and sexuality through the lenses of creation, fall, and redemption, discussing how God's original design for human relationships has been distorted by modern culture's emphasis on self-expression. He called for humility and compassion, urging churches to hold onto biblical truth while pointing people toward Christ as the ultimate source of love and satisfaction.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Lausanne 4 was the rich diversity of its participants.
From every cultural, denominational, and theological background, leaders shared stories of God’s work in their contexts. The diversity of voices – from speakers to workshop leaders to the people I met – revealed the beauty of the global church.
Having coffee with a young Nepalese man who is training pastors across Nepal, where they cannot attend Bible College, was inspiring. My table group, consisting of six people from five different countries, was a highlight of my experience.
I only wish I had brought gifts from New Zealand to share!
This diversity challenges us to embrace the body of Christ in all its fullness, as described in 1 Corinthians 12 – every part of the body has a role to play. I believe we have opportunities, even in New Zealand, to notice and embrace the gifts of the global church right here in these islands.
The Congress showcased how the global church is responding creatively to the challenges of this age. From digital evangelism to community outreach, churches are innovating and adapting in ways that inspire hope.
One standout example was the introduction of a Minecraft-based tool for engaging younger generations in mission work by transforming the virtual environment into a space for discipleship, making the gospel accessible to a new generation.
Lausanne’s emphasis on the Digital Discovery Centre reminded me that the church must continually be open to new ways God is moving, especially in times of political and economic instability. In places where Bibles were once smuggled, we can now reach people digitally. No one is beyond the reach of the gospel. It’s our creativity and dependence on the Spirit of God that will break barriers.
A recurring theme throughout Lausanne 4 was unity in mission.
Dr Anne Zaki from Egypt preached from Acts 15, reflecting on the first church council and the early church's struggle with division. Taking a cue from the early church, her message highlighted the need for leaders to step up and confront difficult issues. She stressed that staying silent may come at a significant cost, and confronting falsehoods is essential to maintaining the integrity and unity of the body of Christ.
The Congress was also designed to create spaces for collaboration using digital tools. In a world increasingly divided by politics, economics, and ideology, the church is called to be a force for reconciliation and partnership. We were reminded that, despite our differences, we are united in our love for Christ and our shared mission to make him known. A powerful expression of this unity was the Korean Church's storytelling through the “12 Stones” display, which highlighted pivotal moments of faith in Korea’s history. This, along with the collective singing of Amazing Grace, was a reminder that our unity in Christ rises above borders, cultures and conflicts.
Hearing from the persecuted church was both humbling and inspiring. Stories of courage and faith – like the testimony of Rev Vijay Paul Emerson, who held a half-burned Bible salvaged from an anti-Christian attack – reminded us of the cost of following Christ in many parts of the world. Dr Patrick Fung gave a powerful exposition on Acts 8 and Acts 11. He focused on the unnamed disciples who, despite facing persecution, courageously spread the gospel wherever they went. I loved how Fung highlighted their humility and willingness to “live to be forgotten so that Christ would be remembered”. These mission breakthroughs often come from those at the periphery rather than the centre.
We heard many stories of the persecuted church. I was challenged to examine my own faith and ask, “How far are we willing to go for the sake of Christ?” For those of us living in places of religious freedom, like New Zealand, the challenge is to live boldly for the gospel, with the same courage displayed by our persecuted brothers and sisters.
Lausanne 4 was a vivid reminder that the global church is alive, diverse and on mission. We are called to proclaim and live out the good news of Jesus Christ, embracing our diversity, innovating for the sake of the gospel and standing united in a divided world.
Above all, the faith and resilience of the persecuted church should inspire us to hold fast to the gospel, no matter the cost. Now is the time for the church to rise and show the world what it truly means to follow Jesus.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
