About

What is LGC23 and why now?

To learn more, we encourage you to read through the LGC23 brochure. This document will give you an overview of LGC23, including the core values, objectives, participant information, and ways to pray for the gathering.

Location

Where will the conference take place?

LGC23 will take place from 31 May – 3 June 2023 at Biola University (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, California 90639, US).

Costs

What will it cost to participate in LGC23?

All LGC23 participant’s housing, meals, and registration costs are fully covered by scholarship thanks to the generosity of Lausanne partners. Each participant is asked to provide for their own travel expenses. If you need funding support, please reference the fundraising training materials that were prepared by Scott Morton for the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering.

What about other expenses like my visa application, vaccinations, airfare, airport parking, and ground transportation?

You will need to cover the costs of your own visa, vaccines, and flights. LGC23 will arrange a shuttle from LAX to Biola on 31 May 2023 and to LAX on 3 June 2023. All expenses before and after the gathering will not be covered.

Will scholarships be available?

The on-site expenses for the gathering will be fully covered by scholarship (ie housing, meals, conference expenses). Each participant is asked to provide for their own travel expenses. If you need funding support, please reference the fundraising training materials that were prepared by Scott Morton for the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering.

Programme

What will the programme at LGC23 look like?

The LGC23 programme will primarily center around small group conversations. Each small group will represent diverse generations, genders, regions, and missional interests. Throughout the gathering, participants will engage in a variety of conversations that will lead to the fruitful production of a guide to support intergenerational connection within global, regional, and issue network gatherings from a biblical worldview and in alignment with the Lausanne mission.

All time noted in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Wednesday, 31 May 2023	Arrivals & Evening Programme 15.00-17.00 Registration 17.30-18.30 Dinner 19.00 Programme Begins	Shuttle from LAX to Biola is available at 14.30 (advance seat reservation required).
Thursday, 1 June 2023	Full Day Programme	Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Friday, 2 June 2023	Full Day Programme	Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Saturday, 3 June 2023	Departures 07.30-08.30 Breakfast 11.00 Room Checkout 12.00-13.00 Lunch 13.30 Final Departure	Participants are welcome to depart from Biola anytime on 3 June. A shuttle from Biola to LAX is available at 10.30 (advance seat reservation required). Luggage Storage is available from 10.45-13.00.

Will I be able to attend LGC23 virtually?

No, unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate a virtual platform for LGC23. If you know you will not be able to attend in-person, please let us know as soon as possible.

Will there be time to visit areas off Biola’s campus (ie, beach, Los Angeles, museums)?

No. Given the focus of the LGC23 programme, participants will need to be fully engaged during the full-day programme. If you would like to explore off-campus, you will need to make your arrangements for either before or after the gathering.

Participants

Who is invited to attend LGC23?

The LGC23 selection team prayerfully selected 120 Christian leaders with specific characteristics and demographics who were nominated by Lausanne leaders. This group of participants will aid in curating a diverse and dynamic mission-focused conversation that will provide insight, models, and best practices for intentional intergenerational connecting, convening, communities, and collaboration for global mission throughout the Movement in the coming decades. You can review the selection criteria here.

Housing

Will Lausanne cover my housing?

Yes. On-campus housing will be provided on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. The housing will be in an on-campus residence hall. Participants will have access to a shared restroom, shared lounge space, and linens (towels, sheets) will be provided.

What are the housing options available?

A double occupancy room will be provided. The double occupancy room layout will vary and be based on the university’s availability at the time of the gathering. They university will assign one of the following options:

Traditional residence hall — you will have one roommate and access to a common bathroom.
Suite-style residence hall — you will have one roommate and you and your roommate will share a bathroom with two other ‘suitemates’ in the adjoining room next door.

A single occupancy room is available for a $50/night fee. Single occupancy rooms will share the bathroom with the adjoining suite.

Will I have a roommate?

LGC23 housing accommodates two participants per room. Housing assignments will be made to reflect the cross-generational focus of the gathering. Special accommodations, such as a single occupancy room or special physical accommodations, can be requested on the LGC23 registration form. Single occupancy rooms may require an additional fee to the participant.

Can I select my roommate?

LGC23 house assignments will be carefully and prayerfully selected. These assignments are intended to encourage cross-generational friendships and relationships as part of the ongoing conversation at LGC23. If you need special room assignments, please let us know on the LGC23 registration form.

Will family housing be available?

No. This gathering is for LGC23 participants only. If your family plans to join you in California, they will need their own off-campus housing during the gathering.

Can I extend my stay on-campus?

No. If you need housing for additional nights, you will need to find your own off-campus housing. You can find a list of accommodations that are close to Biola University here.

Meals

Will Lausanne cover my meals?

Yes. Wednesday dinner through Saturday lunch will be provided on campus at Café Biola.

Are there accommodations for dietary restrictions?

Yes. The university dining provides a variety of options which accommodate dietary restrictions. If you have specific dietary concerns, list them on the LGC23 registration form.

Will other food be available?

Snacks and drinks will be provided during the LGC23 sessions. If you would like additional items, they can be purchased on campus at other Biola dining and coffee options or vending machines.

Transportation

Do I need to book my own flights?

Yes.

Will I need to pay for my flights?

Yes. You will need to cover your own travel expenses to and from LGC23 (housing and food will be provided).

If you need travel funding support, please reference the fundraising training materials that were prepared by Scott Morton for the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering.

Will travel scholarships be available?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide travel scholarships for LGC23. All LGC23 participant’s housing, meals, and registration costs are fully covered by scholarship thanks to the generosity of Lausanne partners. If you are able to donate towards our travel scholarship fund to cover the travel costs for a LGC23 participant, please contact us at [email protected].

What airport should I fly into?

There are several airports near Biola University. For international arrivals, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will most likely be your best choice and the most cost effective. LGC23 plans to provide shuttle service on 31 May 2023 from LAX to Biola and a shuttle service on 3 June 2023 from Biola to LAX. Transportation to Biola from alternative airports or on alternative dates will be at your own expense.

When searching for flights, we recommend comparing prices to other nearby airports:

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 27 miles from Biola
John Wayne Airport (Orange County) (SNA) – 24 miles from Biola
Burbank Airport (BUR) – 32 miles from Biola
Ontario Airport (ONT) – 33 miles from Biola (Make you you search ONT: Ontario, California, not Canada)
Long Beach Airport (LGB) – 15 miles from Biola

How will I get to and from the airport to Biola?

LGC23 plans to provide shuttle service on 31 May 2023 from LAX to Biola. Shuttle details will be included in an email prior to your arrival.

If you are arriving before 31 May 2023, or to a different airport, you will need to provide your own ground transportation to Biola at your own expense. Travel options include rideshare (Uber, Lyft, Opoli), taxis, or shuttle services. For a list of shuttle services, reference Biola’s ‘travel preparation’ resources for support in arranging your own transportation.

Will there be a shuttle back to the airport?

LGC23 plans to provide a shuttle service on 3 June 2023 from Biola to LAX. Shuttle details will be included prior to your arrival.

If you are departing after 3 June 2023, or to a different airport, you will need to provide your own ground transportation at your own expense.

Can I park a car on campus?

Yes. If you plan to drive on campus, parking details will be provided prior to your arrival.

When is the best day and time to arrive/depart?

We recommend flying in on 31 May before 15:00, as the registration starts at this time. All participants will need to be off campus on 3 June by 13:30.

What if I arrive before 31 May 2023 or leave after 3 June?

If you plan to arrive before 31 May or leave after 3 June, you will need to arrange your housing, travel, meals, etc. Note that Monday, 29 May 2023 is a US holiday (Memorial Day), which may impact some businesses, government offices, and schools.

Visa

What visa information do I need to know for traveling to the US?

To determine if you will need a visa to enter the United States of America, we recommend that you use the US Department of State’s ‘Visa Wizard’ tool. This will show you the type of visa, visa cost, documents required, and waiting time.

Should you need a visa, we strongly recommend that you request a letter of invitation from the LGC23 Planning Team. You can either do that through the registration form or by emailing [email protected] with the following details:

Name as it appears on passport
Passport number
Passport issuing country
Passport issue date
Passport expiry date
Nationality
Date of birth
Sex
Address of nearest US embassy

Dress Code

For all Lausanne meetings, business casual style is usually the most appropriate. At LGC23 you will need to walk outdoors between the Biola dorms, conference room, and dining facilities, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Before arriving, we recommend looking at the projected weather for La Mirada, CA.

Covid Policy

What is the COVID policy for LGC23?

We know that COVID-19 is serious and we will be closely monitoring the risks as we approach LGC23. Our team will adhere to Biola’s campus COVID policies and expect you to follow the standards and protocols for your protection and for the protection of others. As we get closer to LGC23, we will send an email with the COVID policy.

Accessibility

Is Biola campus easy to physically get around?

The majority of Biola’s campus is accessible. However, the campus does include various terrains, including hills and stairs. Participants will need to walk between campus dorms, conference rooms, and the dining hall. For participants with mobility issues, Biola Campus Safety can provide ground transportation. Please indicate your needs on the LGC23 registration form.

Will special accommodations (i.e. dietary, mobility, vision, hearing, allergies) be available at LGC23?

Please indicate your needs on the LGC23 registration form.

Pre-Gathering Preparations

How can I prepare for LGC23?

Please pray over the LGC23 core values and objectives, the planning teams, and fundraising efforts. Pray that the Lord would use LGC23 and Lausanne 4 toward seeing Lausanne’s fourfold vision fulfilled.

Will there be other pre-gathering activities?

Prior to the gathering you will be invited to some pre-gathering activities, which may include readings or a Zoom call. You will receive an email with any pre-gathering activities prior to the gathering.

For all other questions, please contact [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.

Photo: Photo by Samson