Mission Updates
Lausanne Congress III report by Liz Gold, Missions Director
These are the main topics we would cover throughout the time we were in Cape Town at the Lausanne Congress III for World Evangelization:
• Making the case for the Truth of Christ in a Pluralistic, Globalized World
• Building the Peace of Christ in our Divided and Broken World
• Bearing witness of the Love of Christ with People of Other Faiths
• Discerning the Will of Christ for the 21st Century World Evangelization
• Calling the Church of Christ back to Humility, Integrity and Simplicity
• Partnering in the Body of Christ Toward a New Global Equilibrium
Almost two months have passed since we had the privilege of attending the Lausanne Congress III in Cape Town, South Africa and it still has a hold on me like nothing before or since. The sensory overload of the sights, sounds, emotions, and spiritual high that happened there make it one of the most important things ever experienced in my lifetime. And so it is not really any surprise that getting this down on paper has been the hardest thing for me to do. But, the time is slipping quickly by and several of you have asked for my report in anticipation of what came from my time there (and well deserving of it you are too, as you prayed faithfully for us and it was felt). So, I’ll just begin and work through this hopefully in a way that will be beneficial and worthwhile for us all to read!
We left LAX on October 14 at 5:30 am and arrived on October 15 at 11:00 pm - which means we were traveling for 30+ hours before reaching our final destination of Cape Town. (Returning we would do the same flight, only backwards and all on one day October 26 – Roger’s birthday, which was celebrated by one of the immigration members saying, “Hey, today’s your birthday, well Happy Birthday!”). We were so happy to see the smiling face of Victor from our hotel standing at the end of a long line with a sign in his hand reading “Mrs. Gold, Hollow on the Square”. Victor got us to the hotel and our bags in our rooms before 1:00 am and we were happy to place our heads on the soft clean pillows of the room we would be occupying for the next 11 days. We had no problem falling asleep and woke up to a new day, in a new city with great expectations.
Cape Town, we discovered is the tourist city of South Africa. Not much different in many ways from San Diego, with it’s beaches and harbor. Because it was settled in the 1600’s as a Dutch colony, there is a European flair to it as well. We were surprised to find three main groups of people – the wealthier White Afrikaans, the advantaged Black African, and the less advantaged or poor Colored African (people of mixed race). This was surprising to us because of the big fuss of Apartheid, however there does seem to be an equalization of the first two – the White Afrikans and Black Africans, but the fact that there is still prejudice took us aback some. And depending on what group you fit in to, your employment seemed to follow suit. So, your very poor were your third group, the Colored Africans, doing the menial and low paying jobs.
The harbor had a Waterfront Shopping Mall which was three times as large as our South Coast Plaza and contained all of the main shops you would associate with wealth – Gucci, Sax’s 5th Avenue, Tiffany’s, etc. You could also find chain restaurants as well as very high end ones with a view of the Atlantic and Cape Town’s harbor and ships. There is a large university and several museums as well as concert halls and the Governor’s palace – all of these here in Cape Town.
A bit further out of the main part of town our driver took us to see that they had a poor area too: Shanty town with its galvanized metal roofs and walls of basic bottom line drywall whitewashed to make it usable to write out the name of the establishment located therein “Hair Cuts”, “Laundry”, “Restaurant” all painted out in bold black letters to be easily read. The people were standing outside their homes, as they had no air conditioning, and though the weather was in the 70’s, their lack of insulation made their homes warmer inside. This driver told us the government was going to build new homes for them, but that they would be transferred to the other side of the mountain (the side lacking the ocean view), so that this prime land could have new housing put on it and sold to wealthier South Africans or tourists that can afford their million dollar price tag and ocean view.
That first day we got a good look at Cape Town, spent time with our hotel concierge figuring out where we could go Thursday, our one day off after the meetings started, and then went to bed early because tomorrow we would be registering at the convention center. We had the fortunate opportunity of having dinner on Saturday evening with three very important men in the realm of global Missions – two of them Calvary missionaries and one from an agency that Calvary Church has partnered with in recent years. We met at the hotel restaurant and enjoyed a great time with John Watters, Director of SIL; Lanny Arensen, Executive Director of AIM; and Joe Handley, President of Asian Access. (SIL is the Summer Institute of Linguistics doing Bible translation work around the world, AIM is Africa Inland Mission focused on church planting in Africa, and Asian Access is a ministry which trains national pastors to plant churches in their countries, beginning in Japan where hundreds have been planted, but also going to into several other Asian countries as well.) John and Lanny knew each other as Calvary missionaries and contemporaries in their field, Joe was the new guy at the dinner, having been in his role just 1-½ years. However, I have known him for over 10 years, as he had previously served as missions pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church and was one of my peers. It was exciting to be able to introduce these three leaders to each other and see God work as He always does when we listen and obey. It is my hope that future partnerships will happen as these men now have met each other.
On Sunday, the opening ceremonies of the Lausanne Congress III began at 3:30 pm with 4000 delegates and another 1000 vistors/guests walking through several different sets of doors into a larger than life auditorium with 800 tables surrounded by six chairs at each in row after row across and throughout the room. Just that in itself was mind boggling, but in addition there were over 1000 additional chairs set up in the front sides and far back for guests and special invitees. The stage was minuscule in this room and so behind and to the sides of it were several huge screens that would be used to project our speakers in larger than life size so that wherever we were seated, there would be a chance to see some of what was happening on the stage. The people at table M101 probably had some of the best seats in the house, being almost under the stage, and yet, being at table A109 was right where God wanted me during this week. In the evenings, people were able to sit anywhere.
So, on this opening day the first order of the hour was to find your table and introduce yourself to your tablemates for the next 10 days. It was a joy to find that my request to be with people interested in partnerships and/or networking was honored. Our table leader was Edwin Caruana from Malta, the area director of North Africa for Partners International. (It would turn out that later at home, I would discover that Edwin and his wife, Sylvia who also was a delegate, had been in my home as a dinner guest with the then Partners International representative in September 2003. But neither of us remembered that first encounter!) Seated across from me each day was Hannu Sammanen of Finland who is on the Wycliffe board for Finland. Hannu’s sweet face reminded me each day of my son, Timothy that gave me an immediate affinity for him. Next was Terry McGrath, the National Director with International Students Ministries from New Zealand; Diane Cowles serving with Campus Crusade in Great Britain. And last Durosinjesu Ayarinola (whose name means “leave and serve Jesus”), from Nigeria who is the director of Nigerian Baptist Convention.
Then shortly after meeting together at our tables we heard the news that we would be leaving a little early to go upstairs where we would pick up our dinner and then go into a large room to sit and eat together, which would also allow us to talk together more. It was our first opportunity to really check out the convention center’s top floors as well. We found that it was a huge building and that waiting in the lines for our buffeted food was going to take some time each day. The food was interesting – very international with lots of rice and meats (that are not quite known at first). But, it was part of being there and being with your teammates. Most nights we ate the food that was provided, but a couple of times we met with others at restaurants as we had two full hours and of course the very same kind of dinner choice each day.
Doug Birdsall, Executive Director of Lausanne, opened the evening and introduced our South African host, Archbishop Henry Orombi and the International Director of Lausanne, Lindsay Brown. The opening evening was beyond anything that could be imagined. A festival of African culture highlighted the first day of Cape Town 2010. The opening session was spectacular with a full African choir, dance groups, flag ceremonies, and special guest presenters. It was a mind-boggling evening as the sounds and sights almost overwhelming. Here is a link to the web sight for that evening http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/photos.html
We closed around 10:00pm with everyone crushed together at the exit trying to find their bus or shuttle to go home. We had called our shuttle bus driver and he was looking for us, but with the crowd we couldn’t see or hear each other. Finally, we met and got “home” around 11:00pm and we were less than 10 minutes away. From that evening on we met in another location with less busses and more space for us to see each other, but those are some of the lessons you learn when you first get somewhere.
Each morning began in the same way. Up at 6:30am to get ready and go down for breakfast. We enjoyed having an European style breakfast with fruits, cheeses, beans, little links, bacon, eggs (cooked to order), yogurts, breads, and juices. It was very satisfying each day to have such great food and wonderful hosts and hostesses. We got to know a bit about the South African culture through the people who served us. We also got to show a bit of Christian love and charity through remembering names and using them as well as smiling and saying thank you. Through these little acts, we were cared for much better than some and we were also remembered.
We finished our meal by 8:00am to have time to get to our shuttle and to the convention center by 8:30. As we entered the room, Roger left and walked towards his side of the room and chairs provided for guests while I went to my table A109. The first thing that happened was wonderful worship music by people from various parts of the world singing together on the stage. (Included in this group were the Gettys, a young couple that are writing and singing worship hymns. Pastor David mentioned them recently in the church service as ones he listens to and enjoys because of their theological messages and sing able songs.) We especially enjoyed when those on stage sang a verse of our song in their language. There was a Korean man who had a heavenly voice, which we loved to hear when he sang.
Following the worship in song was our time in the Word. For the whole week we studied the book of Ephesians together, a chapter each day for six days. It was the most remarkable bible study ever. We spent the time first hearing the scripture read, then had phenomenal speakers share their thoughts on the passage, and finally we as a table group talked through the scripture together and how it related to our ministry and lives. There were three speakers that I remember well and would recommend listening to – Ajith Fernando, John Piper and Vaughan Roberts. If you only have time for one, then it would be John Piper: http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/10970
Following this we heard about specific topics that were covered through the week. These included: Truth of Christ, Peace of Christ, Love of Christ, Will of Christ, Church of Christ, and Body of Christ. Each of these times were also led by amazing speakers. These plenary speakers and sessions can be heard here: http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/schedule.html
In addition to the morning sessions we had opportunities after lunch to attend various Multiplexes and Dialogue sessions, which numbered in the hundreds. Many of these sessions had advanced papers that I had read in the months prior to the program, so I was able to attend some that I especially looked forward to hearing. (These advanced papers are still available to read at the Lausanne website.)
Following dinner each evening we met back together in the large convention room to hear about God at work in the world through His church, which included worship from different areas of the world – Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the USA. We were overwhelmed by the colors and sounds – sensory overload!
Because our time was our own choice following lunch, we had several opportunities to meet with people who were either new to us (some of you asked us to make it a point to meet your friends!) or with old friends that we hadn’t seen for awhile. This I believe was one of our best times and use of our free time. These contacts allowed us to put faces with names and this is the best way to remember people.
Let me tell you about a couple of special meetings. One was a friend that I had met in 2004, when I was in Thailand. She and her husband were prominent speakers and national ministry workers in Nepal, even at that time doing a great work. My friend, Sareeta Thapa knew I would be at the congress, but we didn’t know how we would meet each other. The very first day as I am sitting at my table, another friend Joe Handley (remember he was with us for dinner with Lanny and John on Saturday?) came down the aisle smiling. I thought he was looking at me. So I smiled back waiting for him to stop, instead he was looking beyond me, so I turned around to see who this other person was and at table A110, who should be there but my friend Sareeta! I got up and ran into her arms before Joe could get to her, and he stopped and said “well I guess you two know each other!” God is so good. Here among 800 other tables, she is sitting right behind me. It turns out that she is under Joe’s ministry agency Asian Access and she and Sundar are planting churches and sharing Christ throughout Nepal in amazing ways.
Another person that came and found me was a friend of Ute Warkentin (one of our missionaries) Claudia Merida of Canada. She found me on one of the last days we were there, but had actually only been a few tables away. There were others that I had hoped to see that we never connected with because of the largeness of where we were.
On our one day off we visited the Cape of Good Horn where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet; saw penquins, baboons, and ostriches; visited an old city; did some shopping at a "swap meet"; and ate on the water front at a sea food restauant with a harbor view. All in all it was a great day. We ended it going back to the convention center where we had been invited to attend a special suprise dinner for Doug Birdsall, hosted by Asian Access and Joe Handley. We were fortunate to be invited to this and several other special meetings while we were there with other agencies that Calvary has been involved with through the years.
Finally our closing evening was a full program dedicated to communion together as a large family. This was done through worship in music, word, and the taking of the elements together. In a crowd of 5000 people, the organization of this in itself was an amazing thing. I would encourage you to check out the web site and watch the opening and closing ceremonies to get a feel for the wide range of worship and music styles that were used with so many different people. God was at Cape Town and we were the happy participants of a time that will be remembered for many years. Please pray that the papers that were written for the congress and the final paper that was presented will be used by God's church around the world to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Check out these web sites: http://www.lausanne.org/lausanne-blog/http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/11544
This was a bit of the overall congress daily activity, but there was so much more. Let me close with these general thoughts:
1. The United States is not #1 anymore. Compared to many of the other countries we heard from that week, they are doing so much more than we are here. We look anemic and apathetic in sharing about Christ. We think nothing of taking a weekend off from church to go out of town for our own pleasure. Yet, most of the church around the world is not only meeting Sunday, but often several days and evenings through out the week. The church is their number one priority. Their second priority is sharing Christ with their neighbors and others who may not have heard the good news. And each works on the other – they worship the Lord, get into His Word, and pray for His work in their lives. Then with enthusiasm they go out with the knowledge of His great salvation and love and share this with those they come into contact with, knowing that they are His instruments in this world. Can we turn things around and show the world that we treasure Christ more than any human comfort or prosperity?
2. The urgency of sharing Christ with the lost. One of the most important things that came to me during this time was the reminder of the urgency that we have to share the message of Christ’s salvation with those who have never heard this good news. When the gospel takes root in our souls it pushes us out into the world and awakens in us the horrible reality of hell in the future of those without Christ. Yes, we need to care about all suffering, but especially eternal suffering! We seem to have a defective view of hell or heart. How can we care for those who are hurting physically – abuse, lack of food, poverty – and yet forget or ignore that they are in a more desperate state of living eternally in hell? It is our major responsibility to share the message of hope of eternal life with those in our influence – our neighbors, mailman, grocery clerk, box boy, waitress, etc. Why have we forgotten this? Why have we become so apathetic about something that is so important? I don’t want to be at the Judgement Seat of God and hear any one say to me, “Why didn’t you tell me about this? Why did you not care enough about my eternal destiny to not share this message with me?”
3. There are people from Nigeria in our church. Do I know why they are here? Do they know why they are here? At almost the end of the week with my delegates and talking with each of them, it dawned on me that I had a Nigerian man at my table and that I knew several Nigerians at Calvary Church. A thought came to me while we were talking being, “Why are there almost 30 Nigerians at our church in Southern California”? Now, it’s not like I just realized they were there, but why were they there? I think that when God brings a people group together, like He obviously has here, there must be a reason for it. I decided that I wanted to find out what that reason is and what this group of people thinks about why God has called them to Calvary Church. So when I got home I talked with Helen Bako and she responded by saying that she would be happy to be a liaison for me and that we should invite the Nigerian people to meet together and with me and we will be doing that this next weekend (as she has been in Nigeria this month). I am excited to see what my Nigerian brothers and sisters vision is for their being here or if they have any thought about why they are here. Is God calling us to do something among other Nigerian or African immigrants here in Orange County? Is there something we could be doing among the people in the country of Nigeria? Isn’t it amazing that God had to take me to South Africa and a table mate from Nigeria in order to open my eyes to what is right here in front of me at Calvary Church?
Well, that about sums it up. If you have gotten this far, God bless you! Please pray that the things that I learned at Cape Town will be used throughout the years ahead as I serve with you here at Calvary Church. It is only worthwhile if we are able to redeem the good that we learned. Thank you again for your prayers while Roger and I traveled and during our time at the Lausanne Congress III for World Evangelization.
Liz Gold, Missions Director Calvary Church of Santa Ana (December 20, 2010).
Archived Information and Letters from our Missionaries
Are You Ready? by Moran Rosenblit
Letter from Tom and Janni Nunziato
Larry Dunne's Testimony The Fisherman Who Got Caught