Lausanne Congress 2024
There is something special about worshiping with a diverse throng of global Christ followers, gathered together from every corner of the world. Perhaps it has something to do with it being a foretaste of what heaven will be like when an uncountable multitude representing every tribe, tongue, and nation will gather in worship around the throne of the Lamb of God (see Revelation 7:9).
Dr. Joel Christenson (Professor of Mission & Evangelism, Lutheran Brethren Seminary) and I had the privilege to experience this when we participated in the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, held in Seoul, South Korea, September 22-28, 2024. We are so grateful that the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (CLB) sent us to this historic and important global conference on mission.
This was the fourth Lausanne Congress. The first was in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974, led by Billy Graham and John Stott. Its purpose: to bring world mission leaders and practitioners together for better collaboration in service to the Lord’s Great Commission. My father, Rodney Venberg, then a missionary in Chad, was in attendance, as were the presidents of the Lutheran Brethren Churches of Chad and Japan. This first Lausanne congress was so well received that it started a movement. A second congress took place in Manila, Philippines, in 1989. My dad was present there, as well. The third congress was in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2010. Dr. Joel Christenson, then a missionary in China, was present. The CLB, rich in mission engagement over the decades, has had a voice at the table in all the Lausanne congresses.
Over 5,000 people were physically present at Lausanne 4, with an additional 7,000 participating online. 205 countries and territories were represented. Plenary sessions, table group discussions, sidebar networking, and organized collaborative workshops all contributed to platforms from which mission partnerships and collaborative ministry could move forward towards the main purpose of the movement, stated as follows: “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together.”
Dr. Joel Christenson (Professor of Mission & Evangelism, Lutheran Brethren Seminary) and I had the privilege to experience this when we participated in the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, held in Seoul, South Korea, September 22-28, 2024. We are so grateful that the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (CLB) sent us to this historic and important global conference on mission.
This was the fourth Lausanne Congress. The first was in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974, led by Billy Graham and John Stott. Its purpose: to bring world mission leaders and practitioners together for better collaboration in service to the Lord’s Great Commission. My father, Rodney Venberg, then a missionary in Chad, was in attendance, as were the presidents of the Lutheran Brethren Churches of Chad and Japan. This first Lausanne congress was so well received that it started a movement. A second congress took place in Manila, Philippines, in 1989. My dad was present there, as well. The third congress was in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2010. Dr. Joel Christenson, then a missionary in China, was present. The CLB, rich in mission engagement over the decades, has had a voice at the table in all the Lausanne congresses.
Over 5,000 people were physically present at Lausanne 4, with an additional 7,000 participating online. 205 countries and territories were represented. Plenary sessions, table group discussions, sidebar networking, and organized collaborative workshops all contributed to platforms from which mission partnerships and collaborative ministry could move forward towards the main purpose of the movement, stated as follows: “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together.”
The State of the Great Commission Report was developed for this congress, a report that highlighted research and trends relevant to the task of the Great Commission. Just a few of the statistics that came out of this report:
In 1900, 80% of the world’s Christians lived in Europe and North America. Today, that number stands at 25%, while 75% live in the “Global South” (Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania). The Church of the Global South is increasingly taking up the mantle of world evangelization.
Per country, the USA sends the most missionaries. Countries not far behind who have become major missionary sending forces include Brazil, South Korea, The Philippines, and Nigeria.
The gospel has reached an estimated 4.57 billion people, while 3.34 billion remain unreached with the gospel. This equates to over 40% of the world’s population unreached; people living in a context where there is no church and Christian witness among them to the extent that they will relevantly hear the gospel message. Only 3% of global vocational missionaries serve this 40%. The CLB has decided to commit our international mission efforts to those unreached people, meaning all of our missionaries are part of that 3%.
There are more people alive today that do not know Christ as Savior than any other point in history (estimated 5.5 billion).
The US Christian population is the largest in the world, with an estimated 10% of Christians being American.
In the past century, sub-Saharan Africa has seen the largest rise in Christianity. If trends continue, it is estimated that by 2060, one in four Christians will call sub-Saharan Africa home.
Christianity is currently the world’s largest religion, but growth is relatively flat. The Christian faith is projected to represent 34% of the world’s population by 2050; Hinduism projected at 12%; Buddhism at 6%; Islam is seeing the most growth, projected to be at 29% by 2050.
The calling and commission of our Lord Jesus Christ remains as important and relevant as ever. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14). May the Church of the Lutheran Brethren continue to consider and engage the spiritual harvest around them. May the Church of the Lutheran Brethren around the world remain faithful to their missionary calling. May we continue to declare and display Christ… together.
In 1900, 80% of the world’s Christians lived in Europe and North America. Today, that number stands at 25%, while 75% live in the “Global South” (Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania). The Church of the Global South is increasingly taking up the mantle of world evangelization.
Per country, the USA sends the most missionaries. Countries not far behind who have become major missionary sending forces include Brazil, South Korea, The Philippines, and Nigeria.
The gospel has reached an estimated 4.57 billion people, while 3.34 billion remain unreached with the gospel. This equates to over 40% of the world’s population unreached; people living in a context where there is no church and Christian witness among them to the extent that they will relevantly hear the gospel message. Only 3% of global vocational missionaries serve this 40%. The CLB has decided to commit our international mission efforts to those unreached people, meaning all of our missionaries are part of that 3%.
There are more people alive today that do not know Christ as Savior than any other point in history (estimated 5.5 billion).
The US Christian population is the largest in the world, with an estimated 10% of Christians being American.
In the past century, sub-Saharan Africa has seen the largest rise in Christianity. If trends continue, it is estimated that by 2060, one in four Christians will call sub-Saharan Africa home.
Christianity is currently the world’s largest religion, but growth is relatively flat. The Christian faith is projected to represent 34% of the world’s population by 2050; Hinduism projected at 12%; Buddhism at 6%; Islam is seeing the most growth, projected to be at 29% by 2050.
The calling and commission of our Lord Jesus Christ remains as important and relevant as ever. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14). May the Church of the Lutheran Brethren continue to consider and engage the spiritual harvest around them. May the Church of the Lutheran Brethren around the world remain faithful to their missionary calling. May we continue to declare and display Christ… together.
Dan Venberg is the Director of Lutheran Brethren International Mission.
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