Lausanne Movement

• Leaders of 2004 Forum Meet in Korea
• Internet Evangelism Training
• Prayer Requests

Dr. David Claydon, International Director of the LCWE, reports that fifty-two of the sixty-six leaders of the Issue Groups that form the core of the 2004 Forum met in Korea this month (May) for preliminary preparations. The leaders have been drawn from all over the world and Dr. Claydon says, "It was very helpful to listen to the concerns of those from regions where funding assistance will be needed and where obtaining visas will be difficult."

Lisa Tucker, Invitations and Communications Chair for the 2004 Forum, believes that compiling and evaluating potential Issue Group topics helps reflect a response to emerging global evangelism challenges. Since the inception of the 2004 Forum, the Planning Committee had elected to postpone the selection of these additional topics to remain responsive to these emerging, contemporary challenges.

At the Seoul, Korea meeting Dr. Claydon and Mrs. Robyn Claydon, 2004 Forum Program Chair, compiled suggestions received from global ministry leaders in the preceding months, recommendations submitted by the LCWE Strategy Working Group and input received from the Seoul, Korea meeting participants.

With the information gathered at the May meeting, David Claydon, Robyn Claydon and Peter Brierly will head the topic selection process that will include members of the 2004 Forum Planning Committee and LCWE Administrative Committee. The final selections will be made in June, followed by an invitation to global ministry leaders to convene and facilitate each group. The topics and leader lists will be publicized in July 2003 through the Lausanne ENewsletter, e-mail lists, media broadcasts and on the 2004 Forum web pages at www.lausanne.org.

Tucker emphasizes that 2004 Forum applications "continue to pour in from every part of the globe" with applications being received from over 60 countries representing every region of the world: Argentina, Malaysia, China, Armenia, Kenya, India, Cuba, New Zealand and Germany to name a few. With the new topics added in July 2003, international ministry leaders are encouraged to continue inviting qualified individuals to submit applications for the new and existing issue groups during the final weeks of the application period, with the final deadline for applications August 31, 2003.

An overview of the current 2004 Forum Issues Groups is available on line. For more information on the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization, go to www.lausanne.org.

The Internet Evangelism Coalition's (IEC) new Online Evangelism Training Program is now available at www.webevangelism.org/otoe. Dr. Sterling Huston (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association), Chair of the IEC, emphasizes "The training is another example of collaboration among Christian ministries to provide a strategic Internet evangelism resource for the Body of Christ." Partner organizations include Gospel Communications, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Christianity Today International, Christian Broadcasting Network, Crown Financial and others.

Motivating and equipping Christians to share their faith in an online environment “ through email, chat rooms and personal web sites - is the focus of the new training.

The training offers visitors the opportunity to participate in seven, self-paced learning sessions in two categories: Preparation for Online Evangelism (The Need for Online Evangelism, An overview of the Internet Context and Preparing to Share Jesus Online); and Presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Online Context (Online Options for Sharing Jesus and Initial Nurturing of Online Converts). To view the training online, go to http://www.gospelcom.net/bgc/iec/otoe/outline.php.

In addition to providing Online Evangelism Training, IEC partners are also involved in other collaborative projects including: Evangelism Resources: www.evangelismtoolbox.com; Resources for Growing Christians: www.growinginchrist.com; and a Seeker Site: www.nowtrygod.com.

Psalm 133
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,
Running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."

It is always a delight to be with brothers and sisters whose hearts are knit together with a shared passionate love for Jesus and a shared vision to "make disciples of every nation." The gathering in Koreawas such a time.

Please continue to pray that God will stir the hearts of his people around the world to a new level of devotion to him and a renewed commitment to see a spiritual awakening in the church and the spread of the Gospel as we work together in preparation for Forum2004.

Praise God

• for the very worthwhile conference in Korea in May as the leadership of the 2004 Forum Issue Groups met together with members of the World Inquiry.
• for visible evidence of God's provision, sustaining and protection of the online technology since the January launch and for all the ministry leaders from over 60 countries who have submitted applications to participate in the 2004 Forum.
• for Network for Strategic Missions and Diederich & Associates Inc. for their partnership in the development of the 2004 Forum registration database and issue group collaboration portal.

Pray for

• God's abundant blessing on those who provided for all the needs of the Conference in Korea.
• Paul Cedar and Luis Bush as they continue in their significant roles of leadership in the LCWE and the World Inquiry respectively and for those who are part of the Great Commission Roundtable.
• for the new Issues for Forum 2004 which will be selected in mid-June; that those who are considering nominating for participation in an Issue Group will be able to access the web without difficulty.
• the Selection Committee as they look at the names of those applying to attend the Forum and take into account the need for gender, geographic and age representation.
• for the significant funding which is required both to host the Forum as well as to provide scholarships.
• for God's clear direction in the nomination and invitation process:
1. for a broad spectrum of ministry leaders throughout the world to hear about the Forum and submit applications to participate,
2. that the nomination and applications process would exemplify Christ-honoring cooperation and mutual service in the global Christian community,
3. that the Lord will continue to guide David Claydon and the Issue group leaders in the selection and invitation process.

Intercession Working Group

Please pray that the Lord will call many people around the world to concerted prayer for the Forum. Pray that each Issue Group will be undergirded with prayer and that every aspect of the Forum will be directed and empowered by the Lord.

Psalm. 127:1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain."

Children at Risk - Viva Network

The worldwide day of prayer for Children at Risk is 7th June. We have been encouraged by the response globally and would request prayer that the burden is an ongoing one and that God captures the hearts and minds of people to continue praying for children at risk especially by being challenged to respond in practical ways to the needs on their doorsteps.

We would appreciate prayer cover for the ongoing development of Viva Network especially with regards to the regional centers that God would bring the right people to partner with us in Latin America, S.E.Asia, Africa and Europe.

Please also pray for the process we are currently exploring to better mobilise prayer for children at risk. Pray that the right people would be a part of this.

Glenda Weldon
Chair, Intercession Working Group, LCWE