Let me mention a few other major highlights for me. I was deeply moved by the evening dedicated to Christianity in Korea. I was already familiar with their history, but I was moved by the transparency and honesty displayed by the Koreans regarding what has happened in Korea the last 25 years. It was one of the greatest expressions of transparency and humility I have seen in a major global gathering like this, and I will never forget it. I was also deeply moved by the day dedicated to the persecuted church. This will, I believe, become one of the lasting legacies of Lausanne 4. It may not seem as dramatic as Luis Bush showing us the “10-40” window, but it may be far more determinative in the future of missions practice than we realize. It dawned on me as I listened that this is the very “window” we needed, because it is in the context of global persecution that the ongoing debate between “evangelism” and “holistic missions” finally converges in important and transformative ways. A final highlight was the closing Eucharist service. When the Korean leader Jae Hoon Lee walked out on the platform with a Japanese pastor to demonstrate the power of reconciliation in the gospel. I honestly felt like it was worth the whole trip to Korea just to see that displayed. Indeed, it was several of these small gestures, often not even pointed out, which were done throughout the Congress which I felt demonstrated the integrity and thoughtfulness of the leadership of Lausanne.
This article originally appeared here.
