The Lausanne Movement has held an online meeting with hundreds of Christian leaders around the world, coinciding with the same day on which its first Congress concluded 50 years ago in the Swiss city of the same name.

During the meeting, different global leaders shared their personal insights and experiences with the movement.

There was also time for a joint survey that summed up what Lausanne meant to the attendees in one word. The term “collaboration” stood out above the rest.

The General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt, Ramez Atallah, led a moment of prayer.

The three essential axes that, according to the general director of the Lausanne Movement, Michael Oh, have defined the movement from its beginnings and over the years, and continue to do so, were highlighted.

These are biblical faithfulness, recognising the Word as the core truth on which Lausanne is based; friendship, referring to the wide network of collaboration that has developed under the umbrella of Lausanne as a sign of  “the beauty that exists in diversity”; and faithfulness in mission.

“I never imagined that Lausanne would shape my life”

Doug Birdsall, who was the Movement's executive director between 2004 and 2013 and one of the leading names at the third congress, in Cape Town (2010), recalled the words of Billy Graham in 1974, pointing out that “the spirit of Lausanne is a spirit of friendship, of humility of study. When I think of Lausanne I think of great people and wonderful ideas”.

“I never imagined, at the age of 12, how Lausanne would shape my life”, said Kärin Butler-Primuth, daughter of one of the organisers of the first congress, which she attended as a teenager.

The current head of the area of ministerial collaboration also quoted the words of Billy Graham in 1974: “Why Lausanne? So that every tongue, nation and people may hear the voice of God”.

Butler-Primuth sees the congress in September as a new opportunity: “the next generation of leaders will be shaped by what they will experience in Seoul”.

A global movement

For the leadership of the Lausanne Movement, the global character is one of its main characteristics.

That is why among the leaders who spoke was Valdir Steuernagel, an executive advisor of Lausanne who has been involved with IFES in Brazil and the World Evangelical Alliance, among others, in his ministerial life.

“We want to embrace again the freshness with which Lausanne came to us. The gospel of Christ must be proclaimed to everyone at all times. We must be intentional in our approach, so that people recognise Christ in us”, he underlined.

Steuernagel believes that it is worthy to repeat again and again the Lausanne motivation, which he defines in terms of the centrality of the gospel, the message of the Kingdom or the collaboration in mission.

From India, Pearl Ganta described Lausanne as “a transformative journey” for her.

Looking ahead to the next 50 years, she insisted that “it is time to go beyond and collaborate”, focusing on reaching the millions of children growing up without Jesus and in a suffering environment.

“We don't want a situation with a lost generation. We need to equip leaders”, she stressed.

The regional co-director for Oceania, Julie-Anne Laird, described the Lausanne Movement as “a taste of what heaven will be like”, referring to the diversity united by God's commission.

Wheaton College president Philip Ryken highlighted the example of Lausanne's previous leaders, recalling the text of Hebrews 13:7: “We do not simply consider their figures, but we consider and have faith in the same living God of those who went before us”, he said.

“Lausanne truly is a global movement”, he stressed. He also emphasised the commitment “to youth leadership” as something essential to ensure the continuity of the project.

Conviction, unity and faith

The executive director of Lausanne, Michael Oh, concluded the time for speeches by emphasising once again the elements that make Lausanne possible.

In particular, he mentioned the conviction, unity, faith, friendship, collaboration, and a long list of other things that make up these 50 years of history. The memory and recognition of all this, Oh said, is necessary to continue to look forward.

“May the church proclaim Christ united”, he concluded, alluding to the fourth Lausanne congress, which will be held from 22 to 28 September in Seoul.