Commissioning the Younger Leaders Gathering 2026 Team

Nana Yaw Ofei Awuku introduces the planning team for the 2026 Younger Leaders Gathering (YLG), highlighting Lausanne’s intergenerational investment in raising new leaders. The team, representing diverse nations, is commissioned through prayer led by Michael Oh, CEO of the Lausanne Movement. Oh prays for the preparation, participation, provision, and unity of both the YLG team and the broader church, calling for God’s favor and guidance as they plan for the upcoming gathering in Brazil. The session concludes with a call to action for global believers to support the younger generation as they prepare to advance God’s mission worldwide.

Talk Outline

00:00 Introduction to the Younger Leaders Gathering 2026
00:54 Meet the Planning Team
03:18 Intergenerational Investment and Leadership
05:11 Prayer Points for the Gathering
06:34 Commissioning Prayer for the Leaders

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This recording is from the Fourth Lausanne Congress, held in Incheon, South Korea in September 2024. This gathering brought together global church leaders to collaborate on mission strategies for advancing the gospel. Through plenary sessions, table group discussions, and collaborative workshops, the Congress focused on addressing critical gaps in global mission today.”

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Speakers' Bios

Nana Yaw Offei Awuku

Global Associate Director for Generations

Nana Yaw Offei Awuku serves as the global associate director for generations. In this role he leads the Lausanne Younger Leaders Generation initiative (YLGen). He was previously the Lausanne regional director for English, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking Africa (EPSA) for over five years until September 2016.

Nana was on staff with Scripture Union Ghana for over 20 years till 2017 and served on the senior management team as the director for field ministries. His primary ministry foci are evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development.

Nana is trained professionally as a chemical engineer and organization development consultant. He graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Massachusetts, US) with an MA in evangelism and world mission, and is currently a PhD candidate with Biola University. Nana is married to Beth, and they have three children: Christy-Joy, Eben-Joy, and Laura-Joy.

Michael Oh

Global Executive Director/CEO

Dr Michael Young-Suk Oh is global executive director / CEO of the Lausanne Movement.

Michael is of Korean descent, born in America. Michael received his BA, MS, and PhD degrees at the University of Pennsylvania. He also completed an MDiv at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School as well as an MA in regional studies, East Asia, at Harvard University.

Michael, his wife Pearl, and their five children served as missionaries in Nagoya, Japan from 2004 to 2016. In January 2004, he founded a ministry called Christ Bible Institute (CBI), which includes Christ Bible Seminary, the Heart & Soul Cafe, and a church-planting ministry. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors for CBI and chancellor of Christ Bible Seminary.

Michael’s first involvement with the Lausanne Movement was at the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization. Then in 2006 Michael served on the younger leaders planning team for the 2006 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering, where he also gave the keynote address. In 2007 he joined the Lausanne Board of Directors as its youngest member. He has served as global executive director / CEO since March 2013.