Full-Time for Such a Time
Esther 4:14
This theme guided the Workplace Track of the Fourth Lausanne Congress, helping believers around the world explore what it means to follow Christ fully in their vocation.
Every believer called to every purposeful work
(Prov 16:3)
To serve in everyday ministry
(Prov 11:25, Matt 23:11)
To be a witness in every sphere of life
(Col 3:17)
For everyone and everything reconciled in Christ
(2 Cor 5:18-21, Rom 5:8-11)
Introduction
Thank you for choosing to engage with the material from the Workplace Track of The Fourth Lausanne Congress held in Seoul-Incheon in September 2024. Our speakers and panellists represented all twelve regions of the world, offering a diverse range of perspectives on the topics at hand. What we have done here is curated the content in order to give you ready access and opportunity to engage with it on several levels:
- Each presentation in written form
- The video presentation by each speaker
- Reflection questions to guide your meditation as you reflect on the presentations and make transformative decisions for your own life.
We’re confident each iteration along with the reflection questions will inspire, equip, and propel you further in your calling.
We have also included at the very beginning, a panel discussion taped prior to the track which puts in perspective the focus of workplace ministry. Please feel free to share any aspect of the material amongst workplace colleagues so they too may be inspired and equipped to see their work or vocation as a calling to which they have been commissioned by God.
You may even want to use some of the material to create your own presentation package outlining how every believer, whatever their work or vocation, is equally commissioned to be witnesses of and display Christ in their sphere of operation.
We pray that you will be enriched and empowered to make a difference wherever God has called you to serve Him.
Joseph Vijayam
Catalyst, Workplace Ministry
Workplace Track Themes
Purposeful Work from Creation to Return
Andy Mills traces the biblical foundation of work from Genesis to today—unpacking God’s original design for humans as co-creators. He challenges Christians to reject the sacred-secular divide, embrace their spiritual calling in the workplace, and discover the joy and purpose that comes from aligning work with God’s mission.
Speaker: Andy Mills
What does it mean to live out purposeful work that honors God—from Genesis to Revelation? In this inspiring panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, five leaders share how God calls, equips, and sustains His people for redemptive work in diverse industries and contexts.
Panelists Speakers: Wendy Simpson, Mimi Chan, Jerry White, Mahafahatra Vonintsoa
Redemption and Purposeful Work
Steve Osei-Mensah reflects on how Christian workers can root their purpose in Christ and allow their work to bear fruit for God’s kingdom. Drawing from John 15, Colossians 3, and the Book of Ruth, Steve calls believers to remain in the vine, remember who they truly work for, and reflect God’s love and character in every task.
Speaker: Steve Osei-Mensah
What happens when work becomes more than a paycheck—and becomes a place of purpose, healing, and impact? In this powerful panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Lausanne Congress, four persons from diverse nations and industries share honest stories of redemption, transformation, and God’s faithful presence in the marketplace.
Panelists Speakers: Vicky Nagrani, Juliet Kasiita, Shelette Stewart, Martha Wame
Work and Ministry as Worship
Kina Robertshaw shares her personal journey of reconciling faith, entrepreneurship, and ministry. From the fashion industry to theology, she invites us to move beyond the false divide between the sacred and the secular—and to discover the divine significance of our everyday work.
Speaker: Kina Robertshaw
What if your daily work was not separate from worship—but a form of worship itself? In this rich and deeply moving panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, global leaders share how work, when surrendered to Christ, becomes a powerful act of ministry, healing, and witness..
Panelists Speakers: Gladys Mwiti, Chansamone Saiyasak, Carmen LaBerge, Jim Lapinski
Everyday Ministry in a Broken World of Work
Dr. David Doong challenges believers to see the workplace as a vital mission field. He calls for holistic discipleship that confronts broken systems, embodies sacrificial love, and reflects the gospel in both word and action.
Speaker: David Doong
What does it look like to live out faith in the everyday realities of injustice, conflict, and brokenness in the workplace? In this powerful panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, four leaders share deeply personal stories and biblical insights on how Christians can be faithful witnesses in hard places.
Panelists Speakers: Dorcas Daniel, Latha Varghese, Joanna Ng
Overcoming Challenges at the Workplace
Dr. Carl Thong shares real-world stories from the marketplace—ranging from cross-cultural witness to ethical dilemmas between believers. He reminds us that our greatest opportunities for ministry often arise through our work, and that the best sermons are not preached, but lived.
Speaker: Carl Thong
In this powerful and personal talk from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, Dr. Willy Kotiuga reflects on over 30 years of experience working in the Middle East, navigating environments where bold faith must be expressed through quiet integrity, deep relationships, and wise questions.
Speaker: Willy Kotiuga
What does it mean to remain faithful, resilient, and Christlike in the face of discrimination, pressure, or temptation at work? In this powerful panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, three speakers from diverse industries and cultural contexts share real-life stories and practical wisdom for navigating challenges as Christian professionals.
Panelists Speakers: Jackson Harry, Paulo Oliveira, Sharoon Sarfraz
Workplace Christians as Providers and Witnesses
the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, Mats Tunehag presents a global, biblical vision for business as mission (BAM)—where work becomes a channel of God’s love and a tool for human flourishing.
Speaker: Mats Tunehag
Alan Barnhart shares the remarkable story of Barnhart Crane & Rigging—an industrial contracting firm that combines excellence in work, intentional witness, and radical generosity. With deep biblical conviction, he reflects on stewarding business success, the spiritual dangers of wealth, and how living simply can lead to greater freedom and impact.
Speaker: Alan Barnhart
What does it look like when business becomes a platform for witness, generosity, and transformation? In this inspiring panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, Merari Peña (Puerto Rico) tells the story of launching a jewelry brand to fund her father’s mission work, and how her business became a vibrant platform for evangelism, creativity, and resilience—especially through crises like Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker: Merari Peña
Role of Global Christian Communities to Equip the Church
Henry Kaestner casts a compelling vision for the unique and powerful role of faith-driven entrepreneurs. Sharing stories from around the world—Nepal, the Philippines, Southeast Asia—he highlights how business leaders, when rooted in the gospel, can become redemptive forces in the marketplace.
Speaker: Henry Kaestner
How can local churches and global Christian communities partner to equip believers for redemptive work across cultures and vocations? In this compelling panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, four leaders share how discipleship, mentorship, and intentional community are shaping a new generation of marketplace missionaries.
Panelists Speakers: Quacy Grant, Meripeni Ngullie, Marlene Ganga
Equipping the Saints
Dr. Stan Wallace calls the global Church to affirm and support those serving in the academic workplace. As postmodern relativism shapes campuses and cultures, Christian academics are uniquely positioned to bring biblical truth into conversations that shape nations.
Speaker: Stan Wallace (AMEN)
What if the global Church fully empowered believers to see their workplaces as platforms for mission? In this strategic talk from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, Joseph Vijayam casts vision for a movement where clergy and laity collaborate to unleash the power of everyday work for the glory of God.
Speaker: Joseph Vijayam (Workplace Network)
How can the Church more effectively equip believers for their calling in the workplace? In this dynamic panel from the Workplace Track at the Fourth Lausanne Congress, four leaders from diverse backgrounds explore what it means to prepare Christians for whole-life discipleship and mission beyond Sunday.
Panelists Speakers: Yvonne Mbambo, Dotun Reju (Dot), Nicholas Leone III, Gordon Preece
Whole Church to the Whole World
João Mordomo challenges the Church to embrace a bold, biblical vision: every follower of Jesus is commissioned—wherever they are, whatever their vocation.
Speaker: Joao Mordomo (BAM)
Steinar Opheim introduces the vision of tentmaking—a ministry that combines everyday work with cross-cultural mission, especially among the unreached.
Speaker: Steinar Opheim (Tentmaking)
