Lausanne Global Congress Day 8 - Partnership

There was a great emphasis on partnership in order to fulfill the Great Commission. "Partnership is a journey of friendship." I picked up lots of sub-text (discontent) in the last two days but P. Fung said "Arrogance and self-pity are the greatest barriers to world evangelization." The final session was a rich, very Anglican worship service. Now the long trek home.

lausanne Global Congress Day 7 - Integrity

"Calling the Church to Humility, Integrity and Simplicity." Ephesians 5 was the text for the day. The session on Ethics and Technology was sobering (e.g. 40 million babies are aborted each year vs. 50 million natural deaths). Great worship and prayer focus in the evening. I had great meetings with Nick & Carol Pollard, Rob Hoskins, Brian Birdsall, and the VerMootens. Tomorrow is the last day.

Lausanne Global Congress Day 6 - Priorities

We studied Ephesians 4. World Evangelization was the focus for the day. Paul Eshleman did a great job hosting the session on "Finishing the Task." There were optional sessions on Oral Storying. I attended the Urban Mission session (Tim Keller was solid). The "Arts in Mission" session premiered the new journal issue on this topic. Got to pray with key leaders from the church in Turkey (humbling).

Lausanne Global Congress Day 5 - Day Off

They give a day off to give everyone a break from the 13 hour days. Joe Sindorf, Cheryl Meredith and I were treated royally by Cape Town native Graham VerMooten (head of Media Village). He took us on a day long tour around the Cape of Good Hope. Absolutely stunning geography, views, vegetation, whales, seals and penguins. I was able to meet and spend the evening with VSN type Chia Kisuh.

Lausanne Global Congress Day 4 - World Faiths

John Piper exposited Ephesians 3. We heard a stunning and tragic martyr story from Afghanistan. The Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria described churches being burned. "We must ask ourselves, is it true I have been crucified with Christ?" (Michael Ramsden). We heard a brilliant young Turk talk about the Church in the Middle Eastern context. Tim Keller spoke on mega cities. I enjoyed lunch with Denver Seminary alumni.

Lausanne Global Congress Day 3 - Reconciliation

We studied Ephesians 2. We learned about the Dalits in India, 27 million slaves worldwide, the Rwanda tragedy and more. I facilitated a session on the visual story movement and short films in particular. The evening session highlighted the Church in the Middle East and two people with HIV/Aids. Bob Beltz screened 30 minutes from "Narnia: Dawn Treader" being released worldwide 12/10/10 (it looks great! Save the date).

Cape Town Day 2 - Truth

"Truth" in a pluralistic world was the theme for the day. We studied Ephesians 1. "Only a high view of the truth will allow us to be transformed" (Os Guinness). Great session on "Media Messages Matter." In the gathering of the American delegation I found Greg Johnson, a Denver Seminary classmate not seen for 18 years. I am undone since hearing an 18 year old North Korean girl tell us her story of losing her mother to leukemia and her father to persecution.

Cape Town Opening Day

We met in our table groups before the opening dinner. I'm at table #231 with Malcolm (New Zealand), Pavul (Russia), Pearly (India) and Miyon (South Korea). The opening ceremony was an African celebration with choirs, an orchestra, and a welcoming address from Doug Birdsall. There was a 30 minute video of the history of missions from Pentecost to Edinburgh 1910. Great start!

Arrived in Cape Town

After 40 hours in transit from Los Angeles, I've arrived in Cape Town, South Africa. I got to visit some friends in Paris (we lived there 7 years) during a 9 hour layover. I observed faces representing the many nations as I went through registration thi afternoon. The main sessions kick off tomorrow. To participate from a distance, go tohttp://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/participate.html

Cape Town bound

I head out of LAX this evening on Air France via Paris to Cape Town. 4500 leaders from 200 countries praying, strategizing, believing God to fulfill the Great Commission. Very exciting.

We spent seven years in Paris so I have a short layover that will allow me to visit some French friends. Thanks for praying for this gathering.

Mobile Phones / Micro SD Cards

Thanks to Stephen Keel we just posted his article on using your mobile phone to carry evangelistic content to "limited access" areas. Check out the full article on the Resources / Downloads page. Look under the "Mobile Devices" category.

British Bible Society

I spent a few hours yesterday with Luke Walton (British Bible Society). Luke is an innovative, forward-thinking leader. He and his team are gearing up for their second annual "Enter the Pitch" competition. Check it out at www.enterthepitch.com. The 11 minute film "Derelict" is the result of the first competition. Stunning film. It will soon hit the festival circuit.