I joined several World Vision leaders at the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, this month. Led by Partnership Theologian-at-Large Valdir Steuernagel, we organised an evening reception for church leaders, encouraging them to continue our historic journey together.
The first two Lausanne Congresses in 1974 and 1989 had a significant impact on churches, missions and para-church organisations. They made us think about our calling to represent the image of Christ to the whole world. They called those who were committed to taking the Gospel to think more holistically, to address global injustice and to make life better for the poor and oppressed. World Vision has been a key player in the Lausanne movement.
This year around 4,000 Christian leaders from 198 countries attended. Lausanne is engaged in issues that World Vision is very familiar with. For example, how do we ensure there is appropriate leadership from the majority world? What are the next steps in working for justice in places where there is conflict, endemic poverty and hostile governments?
As a Christian organisation, we are a natural partner for churches in the countries in which we work. Our journey with the church has taken different turns in the past, but we strive to bring the highest standards of development, relief and advocacy expertise to the relationship. We provide tools for the church to do good for children, families and communities around the world.
When we pray, “your kingdom come”, we accept a responsibility to help demonstrate in some way what that kingdom looks like. When we claim to “follow Jesus Christ” among the poor, we recall also in the Book of Acts it says Jesus “went around doing good”.
From our earliest days this has been our calling. Reverend Bob Pierce, the missionary pastor who founded World Vision, famously wrote in the flyleaf of his Bible, “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”
That is the challenge, simply-expressed, for every one of us – to see the world with God’s eyes and respond with hearts full of his compassion.
sending...
