The 2004 Forum for World Evangelization gets real…spiritual

Bangkok, Thailand – Christian leaders from all over the world are meeting in Thailand to discuss world evangelization at the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization. This conference was organized by Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. Why is it called Lausanne? Because that was the location of the first of these conferences many years ago. These conferences now occur approximately every ten years.

Often these conferences have been vague and highly theoretical. This time, it focused on making the Gospel real, in practical terms, informed by a spiritual awareness. And so, this is a great event.

The media and technology section has talked specifically about how to use the media to reach people for Christ. It has come up with the conclusion that no single medium is always appropriate, and it is best if the church uses several media, and if Christian practitioners in the media communicate with the church.

There is a how–to concern of listening and reaching people with the Gospel in culturally relevant terms. There is also a concern for theology and cooperation among the body of Christ – cooperation built on grace and forgiveness.

An extraordinary part of the conference was the two hours focused on the persecuted church. The testimonies, film footage and prayers brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

If the dialogues that are occurring at this event are taken to heart by those who are here, it could issue a new era of evangelism, revival, and reformation.

By Dr. Ted Baehr

(Dr. Ted Baehr is an award–winning producer, writer, director, radio & TV personality, and scholar. He is the Chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, a non–profit organization committed to educating the entertainment industry and the general public of the media’s impact on its audiences. He also serves as the publisher of
MOVIEGUIDE ® : A Family Guide to Entertainment based on biblical values, and he writes a syndicated column for 29 publications nationwide. Dr. Baehr’s radio and TV programs, "MOVIEGUIDE®: A Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment," is syndicated nationally and internationally.)