Day: September 26, 2024
Editor’s Note: What’s Happening at Lausanne?
Dear friends,
It’s like the Olympics for missiologists, and I was sulking about missing it. But the Fourth Lausanne Congress is still going on in South Korea until Saturday, with 5,000 in person and thousands more participating through virtual cohorts. And, though they kept it quiet until the event began, there’s also a livestream for some sessions. Take a look.
Even better, a system offering the videos on demand—so you can watch them with your team or group—will launch in October. Sign up to be notified when it’s available.
A core document from the first Lausanne Congress was the 1974 Lausanne Covenant. It was followed by the Manila Manifesto (1989), and the Cape Town Commitment (2010). Now they’ve published the Seoul Statement calling for a renewed focus on the centrality of the gospel and a faithful reading of scripture as we focus on today’s challenges (learn more).
One thing that seems to be missing in the statement, as Ted Esler, Ed Stetzer, and others point out, is a focus on evangelism. But the event as a whole has a strong focus on recognizing and addressing gaps, and taking the gospel to those with least access to it is a big topic.
We highlighted the State of the Great Commission Report Lausanne released in April. That’s now available as a free, PDF download—more than 500 pages of research data and analysis from 150 contributors. Looks well worth digging into. It will soon be available in six languages.
What will the outcomes from this global congress? Time will tell. But I’m praying for lasting fruit through gospel unity, innovation, and collaboration.
blessings,
Marti
Prayer Guide: 10 Ways to Pray for Our Public Schools
Source: Navigators
Did you know that kids spend almost 50 percent of their year at school? If we want to pray for our kids, then it’s important to include prayers for their schools as well. There are many opportunities for prayer for public schools, from the school administration to the student who is struggling.
According to 1 Timothy 2:1, God wants us to pray for all people, and that includes the public schools in our communities. Consider these prayers and the relevant Scriptures to ignite your prayers for the schools in your local community.
See the prayer guide. Note that this resource is also available as a two-page PDF, and you don’t have to sign up for anything.
Want to take it a step further? Consider adopting a school for prayer (Every Student Every School campaign, a project of Campus Alliance).
Research Survey: Which Mobilization Strategies Are Most Effective?
Source: Gospel Mobilization
“Only about one out of a hundred ‘missionary decisions’ results in actual career mission service.” – Ralph Winter
Long-time readers and mission mobilizers may remember the Launch Survey, a research project from about a decade ago which explored the most significant factors that help those who aspire to become full-time missionaries (like relationships with those who’ve done it) as well as the obstacles that hinder people from ever getting there (like concerns about raising support). Read the results.
Then, take a minute to think about how the world has changed since 2015. What would the survey say today? What are the trends and new obstacles or opportunities? How might what we learn change how we go about seeking to come alongside aspiring mission workers?
Maybe you serve in a sending organization that could help the researchers gather responses from two groups: those who have launched into international service within the last five years, and those who are still exploring what it would take to go.
The 2025 Launch survey is a project of Gospel Mobilization and Missio Nexus. Learn more about this project.
Gospel Mobilization is also planning The Mobilizer’s Retreat which will take place in North Carolina May 13-16 and could be just what you need to take your mission mobilization efforts to the next level.
Event: New, One-Day Mission Conference Coming to Atlanta in January
Source: Global Frontier Missions
There’s a new mission conference in town—and not just your average conference. EXPLORE will take place January 5 and be hosted by Dunwoody Baptist Church. It’s designed to be a gathering for the next generation of world-changers—those who want to make a real difference and spread the love of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
There will be inspiring speakers, helpful breakout sessions, a coffee and coaching corner, an India VR experience, multi-cultural worship, and an agency fair with more than 20 missions organizations represented. Should be a great place to explore God’s Word, God’s world, and your role.
Interested? Register by October 15 for $10 off the $40 conference fee. Includes dinner.
By the way, GFM, which is primarily a missionary training organization, will be partnering with IBEC Ventures to launch a new business-as-mission program in the new year. Check it out.
Events: Mission Conferences, Classes, and More in October
Source: Missions Catalyst Events Calendar
October 2, Engaging Diaspora in Your Community (online). A Peer2peer virtual event for church mission leaders provided by Missio Nexus.
October 2-5, Christian Community Development Association National Conference (Portland, OR, USA). An annual event.
October 3, Creative Access Funding Using Digital Currency (online). Webinar from Missio Nexus.
October 3, Words That Serve You Well: The Editor as Curator, Refiner and Influencer (online). A Peer2peer virtual event for marketing and communication professionals provided by Missio Nexus.
October 4-5, Evangelical Missiological Society Annual Conference (Dallas, TX, USA).
October 4-6, Catalyze (Billings, MT, USA). Frontiers will host this three-day intensive to impart practical missional skills for disciple-making and engagement with least-reached peoples in the Muslim world.
October 5-26, CPx Church-Planting Experience (Kansas City, MO, USA). Training provided by AllNations; designed to teach you the heart of simple church planting.
October 7, Interrogation Management Workshop (Tiblisi, Georgia). Provided by Crisis Consulting International.
October 7-11, Engage Retreat (Union Mills, NC, USA). Spiritual retreats are provided regularly by the Center for Intercultural Training.
October 7 to February 9, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (online). New online classes begin throughout the year.
October 8-9, Field Leaders Contingency Planning Workshop (Tiblisi, Georgia). Provided by Crisis Consulting International.
October 8-11, Pastoral Training in Member Care (Asheville, NC, USA). For anyone involved in caring for global workers; usually held annually.
October 10, Research Findings on the Evangelism Practices of Highly-Effective Disciple-makers (online). Webinar provided by Missio Nexus.
October 10, Personal Security Workshop (Tiblisi, Georgia). Provided by Crisis Consulting International.
October 12, Telling Jesus Stories (Kansas City, MO and online). Yes, you, too, can become a Jesus Story Ninja! Training provided by All Nations. Check out their self-guided training options, too.
October 13, Virtual Prayer Gathering: Call to Prayer (online). Provided by Missio Nexus; a monthly event.
October 13 to November 8, Equipping for Cross-Cultural Life and Ministry (Union Mills, NC, USA). Followed by a Field Security Seminar and Language Learning Accelerator course, all from the Center for Intercultural Training.
October 14-17, Thrive Retreat (Sicily, Italy). For North American women serving cross-culturally. Retreats offered in different locations every year.
October 14-18, Abide Debriefing (Joplin, MO, USA). Help for moving forward with hope and momentum; from TRAIN International (held multiple times a year).
October 16-18, The Missionary Conference (Jacksonville, FL, USA). “Promoting a biblical understanding of the Great Commission” and commemorating the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale’s English Bible translation.
October 18-19, Missions Fest Seattle (Renton, WA, USA). Free, annual, and community-wide mission conference.
October 21 to November 16, COMPASS (Palmer Lake, CO, USA). Language and culture acquisition provided by Missionary Training International.
October 22-23, Amplify Outreach Conference (Wheaton, IL, USA). An annual event from the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.
October 24, Lausanne Recap and Look to the Future (online). A webinar from Missio Nexus.
October 24-27, Haven Retreat (Mellieha, Malta). For kingdom-minded women serving overseas from various nations. Provided by Azmera.
October 29, Digital Disciplemaking Network Meetup (online). Using digital media to identify and disciple people on a spiritual journey to Jesus? Connect with other practitioners.
October 29 to November 1, Support Raising Leaders Conference (Black Mountain, NC, USA). Provided by Support Raising Solutions.
View the complete calendar. Submissions welcome.