AEA Team Attends 4th Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Seoul, Korea

From September 22-28, 2024, over 5,000 evangelical leaders from more than 200 nations convened in Seoul, South Korea, for the 4th Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. This significant gathering, held 15 years after the previous congress in Cape Town, South Africa, sought to “accelerate collaborative action toward fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission.”

Representing the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) at the congress from its headquarters in Nairobi were Jim Olang, AEA’s Head of Communication and Programs, and Dr. David Tarus, Executive Director of the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA). ACTEA also had four Board Members, Dr Florence Muindi, Board Chair, Dr Nico Mostert, Dr Daniel Kawata, and Mrs. Caroline Kiprop.

Leaders drawn from AEA National Evangelicals Alliances of Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Nigeria, Zambia, Uganda and AEA Associate members. Bishop Paul Mususu, who serves as the AEA Regional President for Southern Africa, and Dr. Daniel Muvengi are the two AEA Board members who attended the congress.

Jim Olang, Head of Programs and Communications, Arnaurd Essoh, Chair, AEA Business Coalition, Illia Djadi, Senior Analyst, Open Doors pose for a photo at the just concluded 4th Lausanne Congress
ACTEA Executive Director Dr. David Tarus with Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu at the congress.
Jeremy Taylor, President of Tyndale House Foundation President, Jim Olang and Africa International University’s Prof. John Jusu

A key focus of the congress was to assess gaps in global missions and strategize on how to collaborate to bridge these gaps. The themes of both proclamation and demonstration of the gospel, which were emphasized during the 3rd Lausanne Congress in 2010, have continued to resonate deeply with AEA’s evolving programmatic focus. For AEA, this holistic gospel approach is more relevant than ever.

Reflecting on the congress, Dr. Tarus raised a critical point about the perceived underrepresentation of non-Western voices in evangelical discourse. “I think one of the greatest failures of the Fourth Lausanne Congress recently concluded in Korea, is the muting of the contributions of non-Western theologians/church leaders to Evangelicalism. Great focus was given to Billy Graham and John Stott (in fact, Stott received minimal mention!); what about Samuel Escobar? What about Rene Padilla? What about Festo Kivengere? What about Byang Kato, the father of evangelical theology in Africa who delivered two plenary addresses? What about John Gatu, David Gitari, and Henry Okullu who came back to Kenya “fired up for the gospel” and would be the major prophetic voices for the country?”

As the global Church reflects on the lessons and outcomes of the congress, the example of Nehemiah—marked by collaborative rebuilding and a unified vision—remains an important biblical model. AEA remains committed to this vision, ensuring that the African Church plays a key role in the worldwide mission to proclaim and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ.