From September 22-28, 2024, a few weeks from today, The Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (L4), will convene global leaders —missiologists, evangelical church leaders, and practitioners— in Seoul, South Korea. The aim of this global gathering will be to catalyze advancement in the Lausanne Movement’s fourfold vision—the gospel for every person, disciple-making churches for every people and place, Christ-like leaders for every church and sector, and kingdom impact in every sphere of society. Approximately 5000 Christian Leaders will gather in person, and an equal cohort will join online, celebrating the Lausanne Movement’s 50th anniversary and its global impact since its birth in 1974.
When these leaders gather, they will discuss the current trends and issues impacting world evangelism and global missions, including population explosions (now there are 8 billion humans), geopolitics, technological advancement, global health issues, hunger, world peace and order—all of which cause human rapid mobility, interconnectedness via technology and the transition of generations from nonagenarians to Generation Alpha.
The Gospel is for people from every generation, geographical space and ethnic group. The Lausanne Movement continues to mobilize the global church to preach this truth to the whole world.
While we live in tumultuous days, causing family dislocation because of wars, hunger, poverty, massive property destruction caused by ecological disasters, and economic meltdown caused by greed and corruption (all signs of the end of this age that scriptures warns us of (see Matthew 24-25, Jude and Revelation), amid this chaos and lawlessness, the church continues to advance!
I will delimit my blog to Canada. Today, the population of Canada is 41 million and growing. Residents include immigrants, migrant workers, foreign students and refugees. The interwar population (born 1928-1945) is now in their sunset years, soon to be ushered into their resting place—tombs! Baby boomers (born 1946-1965) are retiring as Generation X (born 1966-1980) and millennials (born 1981-1996) take the “driver’s seat” and provide leadership in all sectors of Canadian life, while Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and Generation Alpha (born 2013-2021) are on the rise.
Consider these figures:
• Millennials = 23% of the national population
• Gen Z = 18% of the national population
• Generation Alpha = 9% of the national population
These cohorts are all digital natives with their own culture, struggles, fears, ideologies, music, and psychological profiles distinct from earlier generations. Still, a new human tidal wave is on the horizon—Generation Beta, many of whom are as yet unborn, a generation that will reside in huge cities.
Amongst the distinguished differences from generation to generation, cultural hybridity is real today. Kids as young as 15 of mixed races, backgrounds and cultures are dating and intimately kissing in mall food courts, showcasing their earrings and tattoos of snakes, dragons and eagles —this was all taboo in my high school days. These are hybrids among diasporas intertwined with Canadians.
How is the Church reading this sociological and anthropological image? Does the Canadian church pay attention to this fast-shifting mission field? The mission today is “regions beyond and regions around!" (Tira) We must ask who are the Unreached and Unengaged People Groups (UUPG)? Surely they exist in our circles!
In one corner of the mall, I saw six kids reading books and drinking bubble tea while connected to headphones and smartphones—some might say multitaskers. But if I share the gospel or the truth about Heaven and Hell, will they listen?
Will my old ways of mall evangelism and militant “law discipleship" prevail? Would they accept my gospel literature presentation or even my free DVD gift? They have everything on their device, what can I offer? In a world so full of noise, can anyone hear the truth?
Having said all this, these people have a deep hunger for God. They need gentle love, a sincere relationship, care, and understanding!
The gospel is for everyone, anywhere and every generation. We need the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in sharing the good news and we must trust Him for the lasting results or fruits!
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lausanne Movement, while not being present to participate, I am giving the Global Church and the Lausanne family a new resource! I assembled a writing team to publish a book entitled “From Womb to Tomb: Generational Missiology in the 21st Century and Beyond" (Released by PageMaster on August 1, 2024, now available on Amazon and other eBook outlets). My hope is that it will contribute to the vision of L4 and help us grapple with the realities of taking the Gospel to people from every generation, geographical space and ethnic group.
Posted by SJBT to Outreach Canada
Sadiri Joy Tira DMiss, DMin
Diaspora Missiology Specialist
Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives
at Ambrose University
Sadiri Joy Tira, DMiss, DMin, more commonly known as Joy, is the Diaspora Missiology Specialist at the Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta.