Leaders to Catalyze Global Networks on Issues Critical to World Evangelization
Nagoya, Japan – 29 October 2013 – The Lausanne Movement has established two new senior associate positions to address critical areas in The Cape Town Commitment related to world evangelization. Lars Dahle, Vice-Rector and associate professor at Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication in Norway, has been appointed as Senior Associate for Media Engagement. Ron Anderson, European Field Director at European Christian Ministry International, has been appointed as Senior Associate for Church Planting.
The new appointees join over thirty senior associates. David Bennett, Lausanne Chief Collaboration Officer and Teaching Pastor, says, ‘The senior associates along with their global issue networks play key roles in implementing the calls to action in The Cape Town Commitment, through catalyzing new partnerships and initiatives, and stimulating deeper biblical and strategic reflection in these areas’.The role of Senior Associate for Media Engagement was created to address ‘major needs in media awareness, media presence and media ministries’, David Bennett explains, ‘and to make the case for the truth of Christ in our media culture’. Accepting the position, Lars Dahle has outlined a vision for media engagement that is centered on these critical needs. He urges, ‘We cannot and must not neglect the fascinating, complex, and significant world of the media in the urgent task of world evangelization’.
The second new role of Senior Associate for Church Planting was created at the recommendation of many Lausanne leaders, who see ‘the importance of encouraging communication between the various church planting networks that have been springing up around the world in recent years’, says Bennett. Ron Anderson, a dual citizen of Spain and the USA, has been involved in many such networks in Spain, southern Europe, and Latin America. He responds to his appointment, ‘It is with great joy yet in great humility that I accept this appointment and therefore from the very start ask for your prayers’.
In addition to the new positions, two new Senior Associates have been appointed to assume leadership of two existing issue networks. Ravi Jayakaran, Vice President of Global Programs for Medical Assistance Programs International, is now Senior Associate for Integral Mission (formerly Holistic Mission). He brings extensive multi-national experience to his role from living and working long-term in India, Cambodia, China and the USA, as well as being a consultant in over 20 other countries. Dave Deuel, Academic Studies Director for The Christian Institute on Disability, has been appointed Senior Associate for Disability Concerns. On his new role, former Senior Associate Joni Earackson Tada notes, ‘It’s a big step forward into the future for Lausanne’s impact on the world of disability, and I know Dave Deuel will bring much passion and expertise to the table!’
Ravi Jayakaran and Dave Deuel are assuming senior associate leadership from Evvy Campbell and Joni Eareckson Tada respectively, due to their limitations in travel. These leadership changes have been made at their strong recommendation.
BACKGROUND
Lausanne is a global movement that mobilizes evangelical leaders to collaborate for world evangelization. It grew out of the 1974 International Congress on World Evangelization convened in Lausanne, Switzerland, by Rev Billy Graham and Bishop Jack Dain. The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (October 2010) in Cape Town, South Africa, brought together 4,000 Christian leaders representing 198 countries. The resulting Cape Town Commitment serves as the blueprint for the movement's activities.
Lausanne is convening several consultations each year around the issues articulated in The Cape Town Commitment. The most recent one was the Lausanne Consultation on Arts in Mission. Others will include the Global Consultation on the Gospel and Media and the Global Consultation on Prosperity Theology, Poverty and the Gospel. For more information, please go to www.lausanne.org.
