Three people from the CGK have been invited to a major conference of the Lausanne Movement attend in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. More than five thousand Christians from around the world will gather, both physically and virtually, to pray and reflect on God's global mission. Ahead of the conference, Rev Sander Kok, church pastor in Opperdoes and one of the conference invitees, shares his expectations.
It was in the early months of 2023 that I received an email from the 'Lausanne Movement'. I would have been nominated... Well, you often get emails these days saying you should consider yourself lucky. Be it a free grocery package, a special discount at an online shop or an extra channel for your television subscription for six months. Usually, none of it makes sense or you can't do anything with it. I also placed this Lausanne email in that category. Of course, during my theological studies in Apeldoorn (TUA) did catch some of the Lausanne meetings, but what to make of such an email. If it was even correct, how could I (pastor for less than two years) be significant in it. In the end, it seemed like spam to me, so I deleted the mail.
Not so much later, I received another email from the Lausanne Movement. In it, I noticed the name of someone I knew. A phone call brought clarity. Surely this was serious. Simple village pastors were also being sought for a fourth Lausanne congress. One thing led to another. From being nominated, I too was eventually selected. First as a virtual-participant (online), but in early 2024 I even got the chance to participate on site. After some deliberation (because of the impact and costs), but especially praying for clarity about this opportunity, I took the chance. I have been allowed to experience it as a calling or task that the Lord has put in my path.
All kinds of preparations are now behind us. Partly personally, partly also together with other participants from the Netherlands. And it is almost time. On Thursday evening 19 September (when I write this it will be the day after tomorrow), I will be on a plane to Seoul to participate in 'Lausanne IV'. With about five thousand Christians from all over the world. Though there are also plenty who face all kinds of obstacles and that requires prayer from everyone. After all, there is someone who has an interest in this congress being disrupted.
Personally, I find it quite exciting. The whole undertaking, after all, you're going to a country where you don't just know how to get by. Take the language. On the other hand, I am also looking forward to it immensely. Wouldn't it be tremendously encouraging to be together with so many brothers and sisters from all over the world? To seek God's face there together in prayer. To make His Name great. To bow there with one another over God's Word and thus also bow under God's Word. To speak with each other about the challenges of our time when it comes to spreading the Gospel. To be able to be each other's hand and foot in this. After all, we are one body (1 Cor. 12), but do we also realise, accept and experience this?
It is my deepest desire and prayer that the Lord of the Church (His Church) will bless me there and at the same time bless me so that I can be a blessing to others in the future. It would be wonderful if the Church worldwide would also support "Lausanne IV" with prayer. Do you join in, do you join in? To His honour. To the glorification of His Name. To the edification of His Church. To the expansion of His Kingdom.
