The Lausanne Movement was the brainchild of Billy Graham, one of the world’s leading evangelicals for over 60 years. His vision for the movement was to unite world evangelicals in the common task of the total evangelization of the world. The first congress was held in the Swiss Alps in 1974, with 2,700 participants from 150 countries, where they met for fellowship, discussion, worship and prayer. This meeting was later named the Lausanne Congress out of which came the Lausanne Movement.

At this first congress the world’s foremost evangelicals were present: Samuel Escobar, Billy Graham, John Stott, Malcolm Muggeridge, Francis Schaeffer, and Ralph Winter. The Lausanne Covenant was developed out of this first congress. It is a Covenant that up until today serves as the basis for unity and call to global evangelization. Out of the 1974 Lausanne Congress the term “unreached peoples” was coined.

In October 2010, 4,000 Christian Leaders and Delegates from around the world will meet in Cape Town, South Africa, for “The Third Lausanne Congress On World Evangelization.” This congress, like the previous two, will continue to promote unity, to promote humility in service, and a further call to action for world wide evangelization. What is exciting and innovative about this Congress is that Evangelical Christians from around the globe can directly influence the process from the comforts of their homes through the Global Conversation in online blogs and forums.

At Cape Town 2010, the most relevant issues of the day will be addressed. Advance papers have been written concerning the major topics to be addressed and are now posted on the Lausanne Website. By responding with comments to these papers, individuals can have an impact on the final content of Cape Town 2010. This is a constructive approach to world evangelization that has never been seen before.

The Congress in Cape Town will be addressing 22 major issues. Some of these are:

• Unreached People Groups
• Partnership
• Forming Leaders
• Scripture in Mission
• World Faiths
• Truth & Pluralism
• Diaspora
• Media & Technology
• Personal Witness
• Globalization
• Prosperity Gospel
• Poverty & Wealth
• Urban Mission
• Marketplace Ministry
• Children and Youth
• Environment

Here is a listing of some of the Advance Papers which will be presented by the world’s leading Evangelicals in October (http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/advance papers):

• “A Fresh Approach To Witness For The 21st Century” (Personal Witness) - Rebecca Pippert
• “Truth Matters, Stand Up For Truth” (Truth and Pluralism) - Carver T. Yu
• “The Challenge of Environmental Stewardship” (Reconciliation) - Las Newman and Ken Gnanakan
• “People At Work, Preparing To Be The Whole Church” (Marketplace Ministry) - Willy Kotiuga

This international conference has a local connection. Dr. Bryan Hagerman, Senior Pastor of Regal Road Baptist Church in Dartmouth, NS, is an online moderator for the Global Conversation. It will be his task to moderate and edit all articles, comments, responses, papers, blogs, that are concerned with the topic of Marketplace Ministry.

Although Cape Town 2010 will not begin on site until October, the World Wide Conversation has started. Interested individuals may just log on, and begin their conversation. By going to the website, interested individuals may get involved with the current Global Conversation: just choose the issue and topic that interests you the most, read the advance papers , conversations, responses and comments. Then respond yourself to what you have read or post your own article. It's as simple as that.

To find out more about Lausanne Congress Cape Town 2010 or join the conversation online, follow these links: www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010; www.lausanne.org/conversation.