Conversations on the way to Cape Town

Jan 22nd, 2010 4:45 PM UTC
By Adam Phillips

This morning in DC, I gathered with a group of Evangelical church leaders to reflect on how best to take action on global issues facing the faith community, especially in the face of extreme global poverty.

The forum was the first of many US regional “Conversation Gatherings” leading up to the 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization happening this October in Cape Town, South Africa. The Lausanne Congress was first organized in 1974 by Rev. Billy Graham and Dr. John Stott, in Lausanne, Switzerland. This year’s Congress in Cape Town—held in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance—will bring together 4,000 leaders from more than 200 countries to confront the critical issues of our time: other world faiths, poverty, and HIV/AIDS among others—as they relate to the future of the Church and world evangelization.

In our lead-up conversation to Cape Town this morning, ONE partners World Vision and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) called for greater action to help beat back senseless poverty and disease.

Galen Carey, NAE’s Director of Government Affairs, emphasized the particular need to take action around the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). “2010 is a critical year for the MDGs, and one way to get involved is through Micah Challenge‘s 10.10.10 campaign.”

World Vision’s Bob Zachritz noted important success stories, such as PEPFAR and its work against global AIDS. Calling for greater community and partnership, Zachritz noted that “the US government cannot beat AIDS alone. Bill Gates cannot beat AIDS alone. Nor can the Church beat AIDS alone. We have to creatively work together.”

Find out even more about the Lausanne Congress in Cape Town—including ways that you can participate—on their website.

TAGS: Faith, Millennium Development Goals, PEPFAR