Ghana marks Lausanne@50, celebrating decades of global evangelical leadership

The Lausanne Movement, a global evangelical initiative founded in 1974, marked its 50th anniversary at the Legon Interdenominational Church in Accra on Wednesday 6th November 2024.

Under the theme “Let the Church in Ghana Declare & Display Christ Together,” the event celebrated Ghana’s ongoing role in the Lausanne Movement, which aims to unite Christians worldwide in the mission of evangelism. 

It also highlighted the importance of collaboration among churches to advance the gospel through disciple-making, leadership development, and joint mission work.

Chairman of the occasion, Most Rev. Prof. J. Asamoah-Gyadu, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, emphasised that living out Christ’s teachings must come before preaching them.

 “Lives must be transformed before words can effectively convey the gospel,” he stated, calling for a life that reflects Christ to communicate the gospel authentically. 

He urged attendees to “keep Christ central” and avoid distractions, noting that the true power of the gospel lies in the disciplined focus on its core message.

Rev. Dr. Doug Birdsall, former Executive Chairman of the Lausanne Movement, reflected on the movement’s role in global evangelical collaboration. “Lausanne has always championed the gospel for every person,” he said.

He also emphasised how crucial it is to remain committed to building Christ-like leaders and fostering a worldwide impact on God’s kingdom.

Looking back on Ghana’s contribution to the Lausanne Movement since 1974, Apostle Jude Hama outlined the growth of evangelical leadership in the country. 

Apostle Hama traced Ghana’s involvement from the first Lausanne Congress, highlighting the work of early delegates like Rev. Gottfried Osei-Mensah.

 He credited initiatives such as the Ghana Evangelism Committee’s “New Life For All” programme, which mobilised churches nationwide to prioritise evangelism and discipleship, to Lausanne’s influence.

Apostle Hama also underscored the importance of foundational documents like the Lausanne Covenant, the Manila Manifesto, and the Cape Town Commitment, which have shaped evangelical mission in Ghana and beyond. 

He discussed the recent Seoul Statement from the 4th Lausanne Congress, describing it as a vital guide for Ghanaian churches in addressing theological and practical needs in their mission.

He also introduced a ten-year initiative by the Ghana Lausanne Interim Planning Committee, designed to strengthen local church networks and expand outreach and discipleship programmes across the country.

The event also honoured Rev. Gottfried Osei-Mensah for his pioneering work in the movement. 

As the first Executive Secretary of the Lausanne Movement, Osei-Mensah played a key role in promoting unity within the global evangelical community. 

His legacy was celebrated as a testament to Ghana’s leadership and dedication to the Lausanne vision of collaborative mission work.