The voices of the global South were strong and clear at Lausanne, and they brought much-needed perspectives on what it means to live out the gospel in contexts of poverty, persecution, and pluralism. I was particularly moved by the testimonies of brothers and sisters from the Middle East, who are faithfully following Jesus in the face of tremendous opposition. Their witness is a sobering reminder that the gospel often flourishes most vibrantly in places of suffering. In 1995, there were 500 Christians in Iran. Today there is over 1,000,000. How? The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully through the believers in Iran who are personally sharing their faith in the Jesus with their family and friends.
As the global church, learning from one another, encourage one another, and partner together in the mission of God is of great benefit. This is not a time for isolationism but for collaboration. The mission of God is too big for any one nation or denomination to tackle alone. The Lausanne Movement has always been about bringing together diverse voices to work towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and that is more critical now than ever before.
A Hope for the Future
As I left the congress, I felt a deep sense of hope. Yes, the challenges facing the global church are great, but our God is greater. And he has given us the gospel—the power of salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16). The Lausanne Congress 2024 was a powerful reminder that the gospel is not just good news for the individual but good news for the world.
May we, as the church, rise to the challenge. May we embody a holistic gospel that brings healing, justice, and reconciliation with evangelism being central. And may we join hands with our brothers and sisters across the globe as we proclaim the good news that Jesus is Lord—over all things, in all places, for all time.
