On the 23rd, a press conference for the 2024 Seoul-Incheon 4th Lausanne Congress held. The key leadership that has been preparing for the 4th Lausanne Congress shared the meaning, importance, and expectations that this event holds for the global church and the Korean church.
On the second day of the 4th Lausanne Congress, which runs from September 22 to 28 at the Songdo Convensia in Incheon, an official press conference was held in Room 102 of the Songdo Convensia on the 23rd. Around 60 people attended, including Korean and foreign reporters and Lausanne officials.
The press conference featured opening remarks from the Co-chairman of the 4th Lausanne Congress, Rev. Michael Oh (International Lausanne President), Co-chairman Rev. Jae-Hoon Lee (Chairman of the Korea Lausanne Committee), Chairman of the Operating Committee for the 4th Lausanne Congress, Dr. David Bennett, and Chairman of the Korean Preparation Committee, Rev. Kisung Yoo. The session then proceeded with a Q&A.
Rev. Michael Oh: “It will be a springboard for the global Church to proclaim and manifest Christ together”
Rev. Michael Oh said, “For the past 4-5 years, I’ve been grateful to see a part of the global church not only calling for partnerships and cooperation but also implementing some of those plans by running the congress as a model.” He added, “I think it has been the most blessed partnership to work with the Lausanne headquarters in Korea, Korean churches, and many fellow pastors, especially Rev. Jae-Hoon Lee and Rev. Kisung Yoo.”
Rev. Oh continued, “As a Korean-American, I have a special affection for Korea,” adding, “By God’s plan, I became part of the Korean diaspora, serving as a bridge between the Korean Church and the world, a blessing I have received.”
Speaking about the challenges in preparing for the congress, Rev. Oh said, “We approached it in the Lausanne way—trusting God, giving glory to God, and based on partnership, as well as the Lausanne spirit of humility, friendship, prayer, partnership, and hope.” He emphasized that Lausanne gatherings always focus on “lifting high the name of Jesus Christ.”
He also expressed his gratitude for the service and dedication of both the global and Korean churches. Rev. Oh stated, “Given the lack of financial resources within the global church, I am thankful for the Korean church's partnership.” He also noted that $4.8 million in scholarships was generously provided to enable brothers and sisters from around the world to participate in the congress, along with 2,200 hotel rooms. “Last night (September 22), we had a beautiful opening ceremony with over 5,400 attendees, and I’m thankful for the global participation online,” he said. He added, “This congress will serve as a platform for the global church to proclaim and manifest Christ together.”
Rev. Jae-Hoon Lee: “I hope the Korean Church can become a catalyst for the global Church”
Rev. Jae-Hoon Lee said, “I believe that hosting the 4th Lausanne Congress in Songdo and the Korean church serving in partnership is a blessing for the Korean church.” He added, “The Korean church owes much to the sacrifices of missionaries. Although our missionary history is only 140 years old, much shorter than that of China or other Asian countries, the shift from a mission field to a missionary-sending nation is thanks to the dedication and model set by early missionaries.”
Rev. Lee continued, “The Korean church also owes a debt to the Lausanne Movement. Korean leaders who attended the 1st and 2nd Lausanne Congresses contributed to the healthy and balanced growth of the Korean church. Following the 3rd Lausanne Congress, the Korean church became more aware of its responsibility to the global church.”
He noted, “The Korean church stands at the heart of the shift of the Christian center from the northern hemisphere and the West to the southern hemisphere and the East. This spiritual responsibility led to the decision to host the 4th Lausanne Congress in Korea.” He emphasized that the Lausanne Movement is an open and inclusive movement, not a denominational alliance, and that all churches that wanted to participate in the Lausanne Congress were able to do so.
Rev. Lee added, “About 250 churches participated in the joint preaching series on the Book of Acts, and over 4,000 intercessors have been praying for the congress.” He said, “The Korean church feels the responsibility to share the blessing of the gospel with the nations.”
He also shared that churches voluntarily contributed to the necessary funds for the congress, likening it to how the temple and tabernacle were built in the Bible with willing hearts. “We hope that through this 4th Lausanne Congress, the Korean church will become a catalyst for the global church.”
Rev. Lee concluded, “As missionaries in the early days of the Korean church served as catalysts, the entire Korean church now aims to be a catalyst for the global church. We hope that God will use this event to renew the Korean church, make it healthier in the gospel, and bring about greater unity.”
Dr. David Bennett: “Bridging the gap for the Great Commission will be a long process”
Dr. David Bennett also expressed gratitude for the Korean church’s support, contributions, and prayers, before introducing the preparation process for the congress. He explained, “Four years ago, Lausanne leaders felt it was time for the church to gather again, and to consider with fresh eyes the opportunities and challenges before us.”
Dr. Bennett outlined the five key questions that laid the foundation for this congress. “First, ‘What are the remaining tasks and opportunities for fulfilling the Great Commission?’” He noted that only one-third of the world identifies as Christian, and two-thirds do not consider themselves disciples of Jesus. He reflected on where the gap lies in changing this situation.
The second question was, “Do we see breakthroughs and innovations that can accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission?” He mentioned that often individual Christians do good work as missionaries but sometimes operate in isolation or competition with one another. The theme of the congress, drawn from the Book of Acts, is “Together.” He said, “We hope to see the body of Christ move together as one.”
Dr. Bennett continued with the third and fourth questions, which asked, “What are the most important areas for collaboration in achieving the Great Commission?” and “What additional research is needed?” The final question asked, “Who else do we need to hear from in this process?” He noted that while only 1% of God’s people serve as church staff or missionaries, the other 99% are working in the world, and this congress aims to mobilize 100% of God’s people for the complete gospel.
Rev. Kisung Yoo: “The Korean church has received tremendous blessings through the 4th Lausanne Congress”
Pastor Yoo Ki-sung shared, “The 4th Lausanne Congress was led and guided by Jesus Christ,” and expressed his hope for the spiritual revival and restoration of the Korean church through this event. He continued, “Throughout history, the church has faced many problems, but it has consistently reformed itself and responded to God's Word. The church will once again undergo a self-reformation, standing more firmly on the foundation of the Bible, and gain the strength to respond to God's calling. I believe this is the most valuable way the Korean church can serve.”
Pastor Yoo went on to say, “I believe that the greatest blessing received through the 4th Lausanne Congress has been for the Korean church. Despite various challenges, I think the Korean church may be the one that aligns most closely with the Lausanne spirit in the global church.” He added, “While preparing for this event, the Korean church has learned a great deal about the Lausanne Movement. Not only pastors but also lay members, and even those who had a somewhat critical view of the Lausanne Congress, have come to study what the Lausanne Movement is, why God initiated it, how it has progressed until now, and where it should go in the future.”
He continued, “Besides raising funds, preparing the venue, and arranging meals, we studied the Lausanne Movement, constantly comparing and evaluating it with the Korean church.” He explained, “Many of the staff serving at the Lausanne conference are professional ministers, and they will be the leaders of the Korean church in 10 to 30 years. As they prepared for the 4th Lausanne Congress, they were greatly challenged. They faced questions such as: What is Christianity? What is the gospel that the Bible proclaims? How should one respond to God’s calling? How should one organize and operate a Christian conference, and how should the results be realized? The challenge and training they received were invaluable.”
Pastor Yoo also added, “For the past two years, the entire Korean church has received and prayed with the same prayer every day.” He emphasized, “The most remarkable thing the Korean church has done this year is something unprecedented in Christian history: every church, each Sunday, preached from the Book of Acts. From the youngest children to the adults, they heard the same message based on the same scripture.” He also highlighted, “Through the 4th Lausanne Congress, there has been a holy union among young pastors and young leaders in the Korean church. A strong spiritual group has emerged, one that embraces not only the Korean church but also the global church.”
Pastor Yoo concluded, “Hosting this congress was a very demanding task, and the price to be paid was clear. However, God is using this congress to restore and uplift the Korean church, and the Korean church is already sensing the results.” He went on to say, “The Korean church is at a time when spiritual awakening is needed. From yesterday onward, God has been doing incredible, indescribable things within the Korean church. On a global level, the Korean church is becoming an ambassador of peace, and with the unity of the Asian church and the Korean church, we are able to serve the global church. I personally feel immense joy and gratitude for this.”
Originally published by Christian Daily Korea
