July 2015: Clarity, Unity, and Momentum

Last year we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Lausanne Movement, full of thanksgiving for God’s tremendous work of grace the past 40 years, and a recognition of 3 very special gifts God gave us moving forward—clarity, unity, and momentum. We’ve seen this emerge particularly through Lausanne’s fresh articulation of who we are and what we do—connecting influencers and ideas for global mission.

This has helped focus our activities and strengthen our leadership across regions and generations. We’ve also gained stronger financial health as a Movement, and we’re thankful for the generous support from all around the world. We’re happy to announce our accreditation from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Next year we’re looking forward to the Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering (YLG), to be held in August 2016 in Indonesia. The selection and invitation process for the 1,000 participants is taking place now, led by our regional leaders, drawing from more than 3,000 nominations. This will be a significant time of connecting generations of influencers to serve together in today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities in global mission. YLG will also be the catalyst for a ten-year initiative called Younger Leaders Generation (YLGen), to continue building up this generation for global mission.

We’ve also been continuing to connect influencers in recent consultations on important issues such as disability concerns, children at risk, research for mission, creation care, mental health and counseling in mission, and more. In March, I was in Manila, Philippines, for the Global Diaspora Forum, where 300 leaders around the world gathered to consider the mission opportunities of the more than 200 million international immigrants spread around the world.

And we’re looking forward to the consultations later this year, considering Jewish Evangelism, international student ministries, cities, and addressing challenges of corruption all around the world. We ask for your prayers for the ideas, the actions, and partnerships that will emerge.

I’m delighted to share that a new Lausanne issue network has been launched to focus on health, healing, and wholeness. The Health in Mission network is connecting global health leaders to explore how the church can promote health and healing in a way that shows that our God is the one who heals. You can read more about the network and our new co-Senior Associates Dr Michael Soderling and Martha Mwendafilumba in our recent news release.

Finally, it’s my great joy to congratulate my friends at the World Evangelical Alliance on the appointment of Bishop Efraim Tendero as their new Secretary General. Bishop Ef also serves as Lausanne’s Senior Associate for Integrity and Anti-Corruption. Bishop Ef and I had a wonderful time of prayer and fellowship recently, and I really look forward to seeing how the Lord will use our friendship and our partnership for his global glory.

Please continue to pray for us, and may each of us serve and love God with all our hearts and with all our strength, for his glory and for his mission alone!