Lausanne Movement Podcast

What if the greatest obstacle to Global Mission isn’t persecution, secularism, or other religions—but the people of God themselves?
In this prophetic message from the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town (2010), Dr. Chris Wright delivers a call to the global Church. Drawing from the sweeping narrative of Scripture, he argues that the greatest hindrance to God’s redemptive mission is not external resistance but internal idolatry among God’s own people. He names three seductive idols—power and pride, popularity and success, and wealth and greed—and calls the Church to radical repentance marked by humility, integrity, and simplicity.

MAIN POINTS

The greatest obstacle to God’s mission is not the world, but God’s own people.

Idolatry remains the central threat to authentic Christian witness.

Three seductive idols distort and corrupt Christian mission:

Power and pride

Popularity and success

Wealth and greed

Jesus himself resisted these same temptations in the wilderness.

The Church must undergo ongoing reformation, beginning with repentance.

There is no biblical mission without biblical living.

The marks of Christlike mission are humility, integrity, and simplicity.

Before we seek to change the world, we must return to the Lord ourselves.

CALL TO ACTION
After listening, take time to pray and reflect:

Where might power, recognition, or comfort be shaping your ministry more than Christ?

What would humility, integrity, and simplicity look like in your leadership?

Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and share this message with a ministry leader or team who needs this challenge.

LAUSANNE MOVEMENT PODCAST ARCHIVE

Theology and Mission: A Conversation with Dr. Chris Wright and Dr. Ivor Poobalan on The Lausanne Movement’s Theological Influence on Global Mission
https://lausanne.org/podcast/theology-and-mission-a-conversation-with-dr-chris-wright-and-dr-ivor-poobalan-on-the-lausanne-movements-theological-influence-on-global-mission

Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together: Dr. Patrick Fung on the Theme of the Fourth Lausanne Congress
https://lausanne.org/podcast/let-the-church-declare-and-display-christ-together-dr-patrick-fung-on-the-theme-of-the-fourth-lausanne-congress

Training Christlike Leaders for the Harvest
https://lausanne.org/podcast/training-christlike-leaders-for-the-harvest

GUEST BIO
Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright is a missiologist, Anglican clergyman, and theologian, and one of the leading evangelical voices on the theology of mission and Scripture. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament economic ethics from Cambridge University and has served in global theological education and leadership, including teaching at Union Biblical Seminary in India and serving as principal of All Nations Christian College in the UK. Dr. Wright currently serves as the Global Ambassador and Ministry Director of Langham Partnership International. He has written extensively on biblical theology and mission, including The Mission of God and Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Within the Lausanne Movement, he chaired the Theology Working Group and played a pivotal role in developing the Cape Town Commitment at the Third Lausanne Congress in 2010.

In this powerful talk from Cape Town 2010, Antoine Rutayishire reflects on reconciliation, healing, and the church’s role in mending nations broken by violence and division. Drawing on his experience from Rwanda’s tragic history and Christian renewal, Rutayishire reframes wounds not as weaknesses but as invitations to participate in Christ’s reconciling mission.

🔑 Main Points & Takeaways

Wounded nations are not outside God’s mission—they are part of it. Even places of deep pain can become fertile ground for gospel transformation.

Healing begins with honest engagement of both spiritual and historical wounds. The church must understand its own role in past failures to offer credible healing.

Reconciliation integrates personal and communal restoration. Spiritual wounds reflect both individual brokenness and the collective scars of society.

The “wounded healer” offers presence and empathy, not just answers. Authentic ministry flows from the experience of healing, not avoidance of pain.

Global mission must carry rhythms of justice, mercy, and restoration. Gospel witness without reconciliation is incomplete.

📚 Podcast Archive — Related Episodes
Here are links to episodes from the Lausanne Podcast Archive that relate to themes of reconciliation, mission in broken contexts, and the global Church’s role in healing:

 From Genocide to Hope: Rebuilding Rwanda Through Healing and Reconciliation- https://lausanne.org/podcast/surviving-the-rwandan-genocide-josephine-munyelis-story-of-forgiveness-hope-god-on-the-move-podcast

The Ministry of Reconciliation: Bridging Divides Between Israelis and Palestinians – Salim Munayer | https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-ministry-of-reconciliation-bridging-divides-between-israelis-and-palestinians-with-salim-munayer 

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned
Related to this Talk

Rediscovering the Gospel of Reconciliation – Advance Paper by Antoine Rutayisire | https://lausanne.org/content/rediscovering-the-gospel-of-reconciliation

Lausanne Movement & Cape Town 2010 Context

The Cape Town Commitment – A foundational statement of faith and mission emerging from the 2010 Congress. | https://lausanne.org/statement/ctcommitment

Guest Bio:
Rev. Canon Dr. Antoine Rutayisire is a Rwandan Anglican minister, theologian, and survivor of the 1994 genocide, widely known for his gospel-centered preaching and leadership in healing and reconciliation in Rwanda and beyond. He has served the church as a pastor and Bible teacher, contributed to Rwanda’s National Unity and Reconciliation efforts, and speaks and writes internationally about forgiveness, peacebuilding, and Christian discipleship.

As cities continue to shape the future of culture, influence, and innovation, what does faithful gospel witness look like in an increasingly urban world?

In this Lausanne Movement Podcast archive episode, we revisit two landmark talks by Tim Keller from the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town 2010. Keller first unpacks why cities matter so deeply for God’s mission, then offers a practical and theological framework for how the church can faithfully engage and reach them.

Key Takeaways

Why cities matter for mission: Cities are cultural, economic, and spiritual centers where global influence is formed.

God’s heart for people: In cities, there is ‘more image of God per square inch than anywhere else in the world’.

The church must follow the people: Urbanisation is accelerating faster than the church’s presence.

Contextualised churches are essential: Effective urban ministry requires cultural sensitivity, patience, and adaptability.

Faith and vocation must connect: Urban discipleship integrates faith with everyday work and public life.

From churches to movements: Lasting impact comes through cooperation, prayer, justice, evangelism, and citywide gospel movements.

Hope grounded in the gospel: Christ’s righteousness empowers believers to serve, pray for, and sacrificially love their cities.

Call to Action
If this episode encouraged or challenged you:

Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast for more voices shaping global mission.

Share this episode with church leaders, planters, and those passionate about cities.

Explore Lausanne’s resources on cities, church planting, and urban mission at lausanne.org.

About This Episode
This episode is part of the Lausanne Movement Archive, featuring historic messages from key moments in the global mission movement. These two talks were originally delivered by Tim Keller at the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town (2010).

Links & Resources

Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Cape Town 2010)

https://lausanne.org/cape-town-2010-the-third-lausanne-congress-on-world-evangelization

Lausanne Issue Networks:

Cities - https://lausanne.org/network/cities

Church Planting - https://lausanne.org/network/church-planting

Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive

https://lausanne.org/podcast-series/lausanne-movement

Tim Keller Bio:
Timothy Keller (1950–2023) was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and a widely influential pastor, theologian, and author. Alongside his wife Kathy, he helped plant Redeemer in 1989 and later co-founded Redeemer City to City, which has supported the planting of more than 1,000 churches in over 150 cities worldwide. Keller authored 31 books, including The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, and The Meaning of Marriage.

Have we grown too familiar with the wonder of Christmas?

 

In this Advent conversation, Jason Watson is joined by theologian, author, and apologist Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing to explore why the incarnation is not only wondrous but reasonable—and why Christmas remains one of the church’s greatest evangelistic opportunities. From Mary’s courageous “yes” to the credibility of miracles and the cultural openness of Advent, this episode invites leaders and believers to rediscover the depth, wonder, and missional power of Christmas.

Key Takeaways

The Christmas story invites honest questions and skepticism rather than suppressing them

The incarnation is presented in Scripture as extraordinary—but grounded in evidence and eyewitness testimony

Mary’s voice in Luke’s Gospel reveals agency, consent, and profound theological insight

Early Christians reframed—not compromised—culture to proclaim Christ as the Light of the World

Advent creates unique spiritual openness marked by longing, memory, and reflection

Christmas is not just a celebration—it’s a strategic moment for gospel proclamation

Preachers and leaders are called to recover awe, not sentimentality, in telling the Christmas story

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a pastor, leader, or friend preparing for Advent. Consider how you might intentionally use the Christmas season this year to invite others to encounter Jesus.

Links & Resources

Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing – Website: https://www.amyorr-ewing.com/

Advocate Collective: https://www.advocate-collective.org/

Book: Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Rediscover the Wonder of Christmas - https://a.co/d/detPL9U 

YouTube: Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing (apologetics resources, including an 8-part series on God and suffering) - https://www.youtube.com/@amyorr-ewing 

Upcoming Book (Pre-order): Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear (releasing 2026) - https://a.co/d/g0Y4maN 

 

Guest Bio:
Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing is an international author, speaker, and theologian who addresses the deep questions of our day with meaningful answers found in the Christian Faith. Travelling internationally, Amy is a regular speaker across university campuses, businesses, parliaments, churches, and conferences as well as on TV, radio, and podcasts. She is the author of multiple books, including ‘Where is God in All the Suffering?’ (runner-up Michael Ramsay Prize, 2023), bestselling ‘Why Trust the Bible?’ and ‘Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ.’

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Dan Sered, Chief Operating Officer of Jews for Jesus and Lausanne Catalyst for Jewish Evangelism, shares his remarkable journey from a secular Jewish home in Israel to discovering Jesus as Messiah while studying in New York City. Jason and Dan explore the meaning of Messianic Jewish identity, how the gospel can be shared in culturally meaningful ways with Jewish people, and why peacemaking—not political partisanship—is the calling of every follower of Jesus.

Dan also offers profound reflections on the Israel–Palestine conflict, the Church’s responsibility during times of polarization, and how Jewish and Gentile believers can together bear witness to the hope of the gospel.

🔑 Main Points — Key Takeaways

Dan’s Journey to Faith: How discovering Yeshua (Jesus) through Old Testament prophecies transformed his life, calling, and understanding of Jewish identity.

Messianic Identity Explained: The difference between Jewish ethnicity and Judaism as a religion, and why following Jesus does not erase Jewish identity.

Contextualized Evangelism: Why Jews for Jesus prioritizes cultural understanding, deep relationships, and addressing the felt needs of each community they serve.

Discipleship Begins Before Belief: Dan emphasizes that discipleship starts with presence, hospitality, and community—not after someone says “yes” to Jesus.

What Messianic Jews Offer the Global Church: Insight into the Jewish roots of Christian faith, the “one new humanity,” and a renewed passion for evangelism.

Responding to the Israel–Palestine Conflict: Dan urges Christians not to pick political sides but to embody Jesus’ way of peacemaking, compassion, and prayer for all who suffer—Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Hope Amid Crisis: Despite devastation following October 7th, Dan shares surprising signs of gospel openness and why the Church must pray for salvation among both Jewish and Palestinian communities.

👉 Call to Action
If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share this conversation with someone interested in global mission, Jewish–Christian dialogue, or peacemaking.

🎧 Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive – Related Episodes
1. The Ministry of Reconciliation: Bridging Divides between Israelis and Palestinians — Salim Munayer
👉 https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-ministry-of-reconciliation-bridging-divides-between-israelis-and-palestinians-with-salim-munayer

2. Arab Women Transforming Theological Education — Grace Al-Zoughbi Arteen
👉 https://lausanne.org/podcast/arab-women-transforming-theological-education-with-grace-al-zoughbi-arteen

3. The Art of Preaching in Times of Crisis — Anne Zaki
👉 https://lausanne.org/podcast/the-art-of-preaching-in-times-of-crisis-anne-zaki-on-sharing-the-hope-of-christ-when-it-matters-most

🔗 Links & Resources

Jews for Jesus-  https://jewsforjesus.org

Lausanne Jewish Evangelism Network (LCJE) - https://www.lcje.net/

Lausanne Movement – Jewish Evangelism Issue Network - https://lausanne.org/network/jewish-evangelism

Articles by Dan Sered on Jewish Festivals

https://lausanne.org/about/blog/understanding-your-jewish-neighbour-yom-kippur

http://lausanne.org/about/blog/understanding-your-jewish-neighbour-rosh-hashanah

Dan Sered Bio:
Born in Israel and raised in a secular Jewish home, Dan Sered came to faith in Jesus as a university student in the U.S. He and his wife Dinah joined Jews for Jesus and later returned to Israel to serve in ministry. Dan now serves as COO and Global Director of Jews for Jesus and is president of the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism.