Evangelism in a Digital Age: Collaborate Gap Summary

As a global movement, sparked by Billy Graham and John Stott’s convening of the 1974 Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Lausanne Movement has always sought to equip the global church for mission, ensuring that every person has an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. As the world becomes increasingly digital, evangelism must evolve and adapt alongside technological advancements. While traditional methods remain invaluable, the digital age presents both new opportunities and unique challenges for global evangelism.

This report synthesises insights from conversations on evangelism in a digital era. It reflects on where the church is today, imagines the possibilities for the future, and creates actionable steps to ensure evangelism remains biblically faithful, culturally adept, effective, and far-reaching.

At the heart of the gospel is God’s initiative to reveal Himself to humanity, calling people into a relationship with Him through His word and His works (Heb 1:1–2; Rom 10:14–15). Throughout history, the unchanging message of salvation has been proclaimed through ever-changing methods as God’s people have responded to the cultural and technological shifts of their time. Just as the apostle Paul contextualised the gospel for diverse audiences—whether in synagogues (Acts 13:14-16; 18:4), the Areopagus (Acts 17:22-23), the lecture hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9-10) or through letters carried across the Roman Empire (1 Cor 9:20-22)—so too must today’s church embrace the tools of the digital age to make Christ known. This is not merely about adopting new technologies but about faithfully stewarding the opportunities they provide for the sake of the Great Commission. In an era where billions engage in digital spaces daily, we must consider what it means to bear witness in this digital era, ensuring that the gospel is not just proclaimed widely but also heard, understood, and responded to in transformative ways. 

Building on these foundational convictions, this report delves into the insights that emerged from this Gap at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, where global Christian leaders, evangelists, digital practitioners and mission strategists gathered to discern how best to engage the digital age for the sake of the gospel. The discussions sought to listen to the current realities of digital evangelism, imagine what a fully realised digital Great Commission might look like, create practical and sustainable solutions to bridge existing gaps, and communicate a compelling vision for global collaboration in this mission.

Listening to the Current Reality

Across the world, billions of people now live in digital spaces, forming online communities that shape identity, belief systems, and interactions. While digital platforms present unprecedented opportunities for evangelism, many ministries and churches remain hesitant or ill-equipped to navigate these spaces effectively. 

Several key factors contribute to the current gap in digital evangelism:

• A Shift in Communication and Engagement: Digital media has fundamentally changed how people communicate, engage with content, and form communities. Younger generations, in particular, prefer interactive and visually engaging content over traditional sermons or written tracts. Ministries must recognise this shift and respond accordingly.
• The Challenge of Digital Discipleship: While evangelistic content can spread rapidly online, transitioning individuals from passive engagement to active discipleship remains a significant challenge. Social media and online platforms are effective for initiating conversations but often struggle to sustain meaningful relationships that lead to long-term spiritual growth.
• Algorithmic Barriers to Gospel Proclamation: Many digital platforms operate on algorithms designed to promote content that maximises engagement, often deprioritising faith-based messages. Additionally, religious content can be flagged as sensitive, limiting its reach in ways traditional evangelistic methods never faced.
• Skepticism Toward Online Faith Communities: Many believers and church leaders remain skeptical of digital faith expressions, viewing them as secondary or even inauthentic. Without a clear theological framework for digital ministry, the church risks underutilising one of the greatest mission fields of the modern era.
• Resource and Training Gaps: A lack of structured training programs leaves many evangelists and church leaders unsure how to integrate digital tools into their mission strategies. The absence of long-term funding models for digital evangelism also hinders sustainable efforts.
• Ethical and Theological Considerations: The digital world comes with risks, including misinformation, shallow engagement, and the temptation to prioritise reach over depth. Evangelism in digital spaces must remain biblically sound and missionally responsible.

Imagining a Preferred Reality

As we look to the future, the opportunities for digital evangelism extend far beyond what is currently imagined—and change is the only constant we can depend upon. If the church embraces this mission field with intentionality and innovation, the landscape of global evangelism and discipleship could be transformed. The digital age provides unprecedented opportunities in ways that were once impossible. No longer confined by geographical barriers, language limitations, or restricted access, the gospel can reach every corner of the world.

By 2050, we envision a future where digital evangelism is fully integrated into the life of the church, ensuring that seekers find not only the message of Christ but also discipleship pathways that lead to lasting and vibrant faith (Ps 1). Immersed in digital culture, young leaders will take the gospel to spaces where previous generations had little influence—gaming platforms, AI-driven media, social networks and more. Faith-based digital communities will not only be trusted and secure but will serve as vital spaces for worship, fellowship, and theological formation.

To move toward this preferred future, collaboration will be key. Ministries, churches, and digital innovators must work together, leveraging technology while remaining deeply rooted in biblical truth and community. As we imagine this future, we do so with the conviction that, just as in every generation before, God is at work preparing the church to reach the world in ways that reflect both the urgency and faithfulness of His mission.

As we look toward 2050, we recognise that global evangelism in the digital era is undergoing discontinuous change. Just as previous generations harnessed technological advancements—from the printing press to radio and television—to amplify the gospel, the digital age presents an unprecedented mission frontier. The Cape Town Commitment affirms that the church must embrace “new opportunities for global mission through advances in technology and communication, recognizing the potential to reach every person with the message of Christ”¹ (The Lausanne Movement, 2010). This moment in history demands boldness, wisdom, and a spirit of collaboration as the Church, alongside digital innovators and mission practitioners, discerns how best to proclaim Christ in a world increasingly shaped by digital engagement.

The call to make disciples of all nations remains unchanged (Matt 28:19–20), but the means through which this call is fulfilled will adapt. Digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and virtual spaces are no longer just communication tools; they are mission fields and represent what South African Missiologist, David Bosch, termed a paradigm shift. The impact could be staggering if the Church embraces these digital spaces as integral to her mission, rather than supplemental or secondary. 

Therefore, a future is envisioned where digital evangelism and discipleship are not only embraced but fully woven into the fabric of church life, enabling faith communities to flourish in both physical and virtual spaces. It imagines a world where digital gospel practitioners boldly engage the lost, discipleship is deepened through cutting-edge technology, and collaborative efforts among ministries drive a unified global mission to fulfill the Great Commission. 

As we look ahead to 2050, we can anticipate a world where:

1. The Gospel is Accessible to Every Person in Every Language: Digital platforms, AI-driven translation tools, and localised content strategies will ensure that no language barrier prevents someone from hearing the good news. Ministries will harness technology to make Scripture, discipleship resources, and evangelistic materials available to all.
2. Digital Evangelism and Physical Church Engagement Work in Tandem: Instead of being seen as separate or competing efforts, digital evangelism will be fully integrated into the life of the church. Digital seekers will have clear pathways to discipleship, whether in local congregations, online faith communities, or hybrid church models.
3. A New Generation of Digital Missionaries Will Lead the Way: Young leaders, fluent in digital culture, will take the gospel into spaces that previous generations could not reach. Gaming platforms, social media, and AI-driven content creation will become frontline tools for sharing Christ in creative and engaging ways.
4. Faith-Based Digital Spaces Will Be Trusted and Secure: Just as physical churches provide sanctuary for worship, digital faith communities will foster environments where people can engage deeply with the gospel. These spaces will be protected from misinformation, manipulation, and algorithmic suppression.
5. Digital Discipleship Will Be Structured and Effective: With well-developed discipleship models, believers will move beyond casual engagement with online content to become active participants in Christian community and mission. For guidance and growth, digital mentorship programs will connect new believers with mature Christians.
6. Collaboration Among Ministries Will Fuel a Unified Global Effort: Just as past revivals and missions movements were marked by partnership, the future of digital evangelism will require ministries, churches, and organisations to work together, sharing resources and best practices to reach the world more effectively.

Creating a Way to Close the Gap 

Bridging the gap in digital evangelism requires intentional effort and collaboration. Key areas of focus and strategies for action include:

• Developing Training Programs for Digital Missionaries: Equipping evangelists and church leaders with digital literacy and communication skills is essential. Seminaries and mission organisations must integrate digital evangelism into their curricula, preparing the next generation for ministry in an online world.
• Building Sustainable Funding Models: Digital outreach requires financial investment, from content creation to platform maintenance. Churches and organisations should prioritise digital missions in their budgets, recognising it as a core aspect of their evangelistic mandate.
• Harnessing AI and Emerging Technologies for Gospel Engagement: AI-driven translation, virtual reality churches, and interactive faith-based apps can extend the reach of digital evangelism. Ministries should actively explore and develop these tools to meet people where they are.
• Strengthening Local Church Involvement in Digital Discipleship: Digital outreach must be connected to local church engagement. Churches can establish follow-up teams to disciple online seekers and integrate them into faith communities.
• Advocating for Digital Religious Freedom: As governments and platforms impose restrictions on religious content, Christian organisations must advocate to protect online gospel access and promote ethical standards for digital evangelism.
• Prioritising Theological and Ethical Integrity in Digital Outreach: Evangelistic efforts must balance innovation with biblical faithfulness, ensuring that the core message of the gospel remains uncompromised. Ministries should create guidelines for ethical digital engagement.

Communicating a Prayerful Proposal 

The future of digital evangelism will not be shaped by isolated efforts but by a unified global movement. Collaborative efforts that  can help propel this vision forward include the following initiatives:

• Forming Digital Evangelism Coalitions: Ministries, churches, and technology experts should collaborate through networks that foster shared learning, resource pooling, and strategic alignment.
• Investing in Cross-Cultural Digital Missions: Evangelistic strategies should be tailored to cultural contexts, ensuring that digital outreach resonates with diverse audiences while remaining true to biblical principles.
• Empowering Local Leaders to Use Digital Tools Effectively: Grassroots efforts will be key to sustainable digital evangelism. Training programs should be developed for pastors, missionaries, and lay leaders to harness digital platforms for outreach and discipleship.
• Fostering Prayer Movements for Digital Mission Fields: Just as past evangelistic efforts have been undergirded by prayer, digital missions must be supported by global intercession. Churches should organise prayer networks specifically focused on digital outreach.
• Creating Ethical Frameworks for AI and Digital Evangelism: The Christian community must lead discussions on the ethical use of AI in faith-based outreach, ensuring that digital tools serve the mission without compromising integrity.

The digital age presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the church to proclaim the gospel effectively. “Each age has brought unique challenges and opportunities, and the believers of each generation have done their best to leverage the latest technologies and innovations in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission mandate”. ² Today, this means equipping digital missionaries, developing sustainable funding models, and harnessing AI to remove barriers to gospel access.

However, digital evangelism must remain biblically grounded and connected to local discipleship. Henry, Pak, and Parker caution, “We also cannot assume that as we proclaim the gospel across these digital platforms, people are being discipled and connected into genuine faith communities”. ³ Ministries must bridge the gap between online engagement and real-world Christian community.

The future of digital evangelism depends on global collaboration, ethical engagement with technology, and a commitment to prayer. As Carl F. H. Henry reminds us, “Good news is only good news if it gets there in time.” The church must act now to ensure the gospel reaches every person in this digital era.

Conclusion

As the world moves further into the digital era, the church is presented with an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission in new and innovative ways. However, this mission requires more than technological adaptation—it demands a commitment to biblically faithful engagement, ethical responsibility, and global collaboration. The digital realm must not be seen as a secondary mission field but as an integral space where authentic gospel proclamation and discipleship can thrive. As Henry, Pak, and Parker remind us, “Leveraging digital technologies ought to lead to community transformation and real-world impact”. ⁴ This means moving beyond mere content distribution to meaningful connections that foster lifelong discipleship.

In the digital era, “the interconnectivity we are increasingly experiencing will require believers to embrace new strategies and approaches in digital and in-person evangelism, utilizing various forms of multimedia, social platforms, and interactive technologies to effectively communicate the good news”. ⁵ The challenge is not simply to use technology but to ensure that evangelism remains relational and transformative. In an era where algorithms influence visibility, “many digital platforms operate on systems designed to maximize engagement, often deprioritizing faith-based messages,” ⁶ making it crucial for ministries to strategise their digital presence wisely. At the same time, it is not enough to proclaim the gospel widely; it must also be heard, understood, and responded to in transformative ways.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants in this Gap at the Fourth Lausanne Congress who contributed their insights, expertise, and passion to shaping this report. Your voices have played a vital role in discerning how digital evangelism can be strengthened for the future. As facilitators, we pray that this work will serve as a roadmap for ministries, churches, and mission organisations as they seek to proclaim Christ in a world increasingly shaped by digital engagement. May this report be a catalyst for ongoing dialogue, innovation, and collaboration as we work together to ensure that every person has the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel in this digital era.

Authors

Desmond Henry | PhD, Palau, Lausanne Catalyst for Proclamation Evangelism
Desmond Henry is a missional thought-leader, professor of missiology, author, speaker, and practitioner committed to advancing global evangelism. As the International Director of the Global Network of Evangelists for Palau, he leads a global movement to identify, equip, mobilise, and support evangelists in reaching millions with the Gospel. In addition to his main role at Palau, Dr. Henry serves as Chairman of the Conspectus Journal at the South African Theological Seminary; Catalyst for the Lausanne Proclamation Evangelism Network; and   Research Fellow for Lausanne Insights on Global Horizons and Trends, contributing to global thought leadership in missiology. Through his leadership at Palau, Lausanne, and beyond, Dr. Henry helps shape the future of gospel outreach strategies, ensuring evangelism remains bold, innovative, and biblically faithful. He is married to Lara, and together they have three daughters: Gabriella, Annabella, and Olivia.


Nick Parker |  Chrisitan Vision
Nick Parker is the Global Partnerships lead for the evangelism ministry Christian Vision (CV). Having studied Public Relations, Nick spent four years working in the production and events industry before joining CV’s community department in 2013. Initially, he served as a Community Specialist before being promoted to Community Manager. In 2022 Nick stepped into his new role as Global Partnerships lead, looking at how CV can strategically partner with churches, ministries and individuals to further the gospel. Nick lives in the beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa. He is married to his wife of 12 years, Kerryn, and together they have two sons, Caden and Roman. He is passionate about Jesus, people, music, fitness and coffee.

Endnotes

1. The Lausanne Movement. 2010. The Cape Town Commitment: A Confession of Faith and a Call to Action. The Lausanne Movement. https://www.lausanne.org/content/ctc .\
2. Henry, Desmond, Lisa Pak, and Nick Parker. “Proclamation Evangelism in a Digital Age.” The Lausanne Movement, 2023. https://lausanne.org/report/digital-ministry/proclamation-evangelism
3. Ibid
4. Ibid
5. Ibid
6. Ibid