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Lessons from Lausanne: Reflections on a Global Church Gathering

After returning from the Fourth Lausanne Congress in Seoul, South Korea, Chris Howles, Director of Cross-Cultural Training at Oak Hill College shares his experiences.

You can watch our interview with him or listen on our Deep Roots podcast.

Attending the Lausanne Congress was a truly transformative experience for me. Being part of a gathering with over 5,000 evangelical Christian leaders from around the world left a deep impact on my heart. It was an extraordinary opportunity to witness how God is moving through His people globally and to reflect on how we can all play a role in His mission.

As I think back on my time there, I have five reflections and lessons I’d like to share:

1. Migration as God’s Mission Field

One of the first major insights I took away from the congress is how migration is reshaping the mission field in ways we might not have fully realised. Throughout history, God has often worked through the movement of His people—whether it was Abraham’s journey, the exile of the Israelites, or the early Christian missionaries. Today, we’re seeing migration on an unprecedented scale, and it’s essential to view this not just as a social or political issue but as a theological opportunity. One compelling statistic that was shared is that there are 280 million people in the world who live outside their country of birth. 

We often pray for revival, and yet we might be missing that it’s happening right in front of us.

I’ve seen this firsthand in the UK, where many pastors are witnessing the arrival of families from all over the world in our churches. This presents such an incredible ministry opportunity. Rather than getting lost in the often polarising debates around immigration, I’ve been challenged to ask: “What might God be doing through this?”

As I reflected on this, I was reminded of how we often pray for revival, and yet we might be missing that it’s happening right in front of us—through the new believers from different nations arriving in our communities. We are seeing this ourselves in London with the growth and establishment of many churches from this movement of people to our city.

The Great Commission to make disciples of all nations isn’t just about sending missionaries abroad anymore; it’s about ministering to the nations that God is bringing to our doorsteps. 

2. The Importance of Global Collaboration

Another key lesson from the congress was the reminder that global challenges need a global response. Despite all the technological advancements that allow us to communicate across the world in an instant, it struck me how many churches and ministries still operate in isolation. But the reality is, we’re all part of something much bigger than our local congregations.

At Lausanne, the focus was on collaboration within global evangelicalism, especially in addressing the unique challenges of our time—whether that’s reaching unreached people groups, urbanisation, or digital evangelism. I was encouraged to see just how much we can learn from churches in the Global South.

There’s a misconception that places like Africa, Latin America, and Asia are behind theologically, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. These regions have deep, rich theological traditions, and now, thanks to resources like Langham Publishing, we in the UK have more access to their insights. It’s essential that we embrace this, recognising that we can learn just as much from them as they can from us.

3. Leveraging the Digital Age for Ministry

While there’s no doubt that modern technological changes, including AI, can be intimidating, one of the key takeaways for me is that they also open up incredible new possibilities for ministry. We are the first generation in church history to have access to believers from across the world in real time. Lausanne made a deliberate effort to have many representatives from Gen Z who are digital natives and it was great to speak with them about how they are thinking about mission in a digital age. 

Today, we have the ability to connect with believers globally, learn from them, and support them. One resource I’d recommend to others is the “Meet an African Pastor” podcast, where pastors in rural Africa share their experiences and reflections. It’s been a simple yet powerful way for me to learn from brothers and sisters in a very different context from my own.

4. Persecution Offers New Insights into Faith

One of the most moving moments at Lausanne was an evening focused on the persecuted church. We heard from representatives from the 50 most persecuted countries in the world, and I was struck by their courage and faith. What stood out most was that they weren’t asking for pity. Instead, they asked us to pray for them and, remarkably, to learn from their experiences.

For many of us living in comfort and freedom, their testimony challenges us to reconsider how we view persecution.

I was deeply humbled by their stories, especially those who had been imprisoned for their faith. One person even shared the story of how after the last congress, they returned to their home country and faced arrest. They were imprisoned for 5 years and joked from stage they hoped it wouldn’t happen again. 

It reminded me of Acts 5, where the apostles rejoiced after being flogged, grateful to be counted worthy of suffering for Christ’s name. For many of us living in comfort and freedom, their testimony challenges us to reconsider how we view persecution. Rather than pity, we are called to pray for them, and even to learn how suffering for the gospel can bring a unique closeness to God.

5. A New Vision for Global Missions

Leaving Lausanne, I felt excited for the future of global missions. There was a significant focus on looking toward 2050 and identifying the gaps in evangelisation that still exist. Whether it’s in youth ministry, urbanisation, or reaching unreached people groups, the message was clear: the work is far from over.

The mission is global, and the work is urgent

One of the most inspiring aspects of the congress for me was seeing how mission is now truly global. The concept of “from everywhere to everywhere” was a recurring theme. We’re no longer just seeing missionaries being sent from the West to the rest of the world; instead, mission work is now happening in all directions. African churches are sending missionaries, the Korean church is one of the largest missionary-sending nations, and believers from all corners of the globe are playing a role in the Great Commission. This polycentric nature of Christianity today—where mission flows from everywhere to everywhere—is the future of global missions, and it’s exciting to think about the potential for gospel growth in the coming decades.

Conclusion

My time at the Lausanne Congress was a powerful reminder of the diversity and unity of the global church. I left with a renewed sense of purpose, encouraged by how God is working across the world through migration, technology, and the faith of persecuted believers. As we look to the future, my hope is that we continue to embrace collaboration, learn from our brothers and sisters globally, and seize the opportunities for ministry that God has placed right in front of us. The mission is global, and the work is urgent—let’s move forward together.