Catalyst for world evangelisation
In every generation or historical era, God in His sovereign wisdom raises a unique instrument for His purpose in World missions. After World War II, attention was on rebuilding the infrastructure of Western Europe and liberal theology had infested the Church. Sound Biblical knowledge and godly living were significantly and steadily on the decline.
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The shock of the Hippies sub culture moved everybody and caused reflective priests and pastors to cry more intensely for the true revival of Biblical Christianity.
In many parts of Africa and Asia, church members mixed the practice of the Christian faith with traditional religious family or tribal customs.
Another stream in-between the first and second World Wars, is the significant growth of Christianity through holistic Christian Missionary work, in the Southern hemisphere – Africa, Asia and Latin America; these were beginning to become the heartland of Global Christianity.
We needed a fresh breath of true Christianity that acknowledged Jesus Christ as the only Lord, God and Saviour of people and the world He has created!!
The Apostolic voice, like that of Paul, and the truth it presents need to be powerfully and consistently heard distinct and clear:
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17NLT).
The great Good news is this,
“God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the sacrifice for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Cor 5:21 NLT). Everyone from Okponglo, Accra to the ends of earth needs to hear this amazing Good News of God’s love for us. It is Good News for everyone in the world! This is the challenge and task of World Evangelisation.
In July 1974, Dr. Billy Graham and Rev. Dr. John Stott organised the Lausanne congress on World Evangelisation. Over 2,700 Christian leaders from about 150 countries met to consider the challenges and opportunities of World Evangelisation under the theme, “Let the Earth Hear His Voice.” Dr Doug Birdsall comments that, “it was an epoch- making congress.”
This year, around the world, Christians are commemorating the 40th anniversary of that epoch–making congress. Billy Graham, the chief architect of Laussane ’74, turns 95 next month.
When Billy Graham was interviewed for Newsweek magazine in 2006, he was asked what he thought was the most enduring impact of his remarkable 60 years global ministry. To the surprise of the interviewer, he responded that perhaps his most significant contribution was the 1974 Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation and the resulting Lausanne Movement.
Dough Birdsall comments, “Lausanne ’74 represented the naissance of The Lausanne Movement. Cape Town 2010 symbolised its renaissance: 4,200 participants from 198 countries, now related to 12 regional expressions and 36 issue networks, all committed to the foundational vision.
Such is the legacy of a congress convened 40 years ago. No global congress before has had the depth of impact or the breadth of influence of this historic gathering. This is a gift from God through the magnanimous spirits of people like Graham and Stott.
It is therefore imperative that the spirit and knowledge of Lausanne be passed on to the next generation. Indeed, those who will best guide us into the future are those with the most comprehensive understanding of the past.”
At the end of this month, October 2014, we in Ghana, will celebrate the 40th Anniversary as the Christian Church together as follows:
•Anniversary Lecture on Friday, 31st October, 2014 at Legon Inter-denominational Church, Legon Campus by Rev. Prof. Kwabena Asamoah Gyadu on the topic: Evangelism, Evangelicalism & Evangelisation: Past, Present, and Future.
•Gospel Musical Concert and challenge for Global Missions on Saturday, 1st November, 2014 hosted by Bishop EAT Sackey at the Lighthouse Chapel International, Qodesh; involving Diana Hopeson, Bernice Offei, Nii Okai, Joyful Way Incorporated, and many others. There will also be a brief World Missions challenge by Jude Hama, Missions and Leadership Consultant.
•Passing on the Vision and Knowledge of the Lausanne Movement. A mega Thanksgiving Church service for Legon Students on Sunday 2nd November, 2014 at Sarbah Hall Field, Legon Campus and hosted by Prof. Kwame Offei (Pro Vice Chancellor, Academic & Student Affairs) and the University Chaplaincy Board.
Every true believer in Jesus is His ambassador to whom God has given the responsibility to share the wonderful message of Christ’s love to people. Then they can accept what Christ has done for them in His death on the cross and in His resurrection, so that they too can be made right with God. Every believer must participate in the task of World evangelisation!
(The author is a Leadership Development and Cross-cultural Ministries Consultant.
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