The fresh air of Seoul and the Spirit that revives | By Harold Segura
Harold Segura C. | Chronicles and Reflections from Lausanne IV (2)
Seoul, September 23, 2024
This morning, as I stepped out of the hotel, I was surprised by the fresh air that greeted me. Below 18°C, it was an unexpected contrast, as I was prepared for over 28°C. At that moment, I thought about how this weather could be the perfect prelude for today's topic at the Fourth Lausanne Congress: the Holy Spirit.
According to biblical accounts, the Spirit is like air that refreshes, revives, and emboldens. Today, the fresh air reminded me of that life-giving presence, capable of renewing our strength amid the unexpected.
The conference began with a display of music, performed by professional groups. The enthusiasm of the audience, from over 200 countries, was palpable. We heard historic hymns from the evangelical tradition, but with contemporary musical arrangements, creating a fusion that connected generations and cultures—that was a preview of the day's message.
In addition to music, the arts were also present with a performance of Christian theater. The artistic expressions added another dimension to the congress, reminding us that creativity is also a way to proclaim and display Christ.
The central theme of the day was presented by Dr. Femi Adeleye from Ghana, director of the Institute of Christian Impact. I met Femi while working at World Vision, and I had the privilege of learning from his human quality and Christian character.
In his presentation, Femi emphasized that Christian mission is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit came," he said, "and the nascent Christian community opened its heart to receive Him. The result was going out into the world to proclaim the Gospel, accompanying that proclamation with the living experience of the third person of the Trinity. Because there is no mission without that power."
After the presentation, we had time for dialogue at our discussion tables. I participate at table I-24, along with colleagues from the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Guatemala, Spain, and Chile. This tables arrangement is essential for the Congress.
Today I reiterate what I said a few months ago, that we need more tables and fewer pulpits, or at least as many tables as pulpits. Theology is built through dialogue, not just listening. Jesus himself, more than a classic preacher, was a conversationalist. In the Gospels, we see him constantly dialoguing, teaching while listening and speaking with others.
At our table, we reflected on the miracles of the Holy Spirit and it relation to social and political injustices. We discussed whether missionary colonialism, which some consider a "fake news," is rather a historical reality from which some missionary agencies should repent. We also asked ourselves how the power of the Spirit manifests itself through the Great Commission and what it means to carry that power into an increasingly unequal world.
Towards the end of the day, we heard from Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst, a Latin American theologian who brought to the congress the issues that had been absent during the day: poverty, gender inequality, racism, discrimination against people with disabilities, and the industrial war fueled by theological ideologies. Ruth reminded us that invoking the Spirit of God without mentioning human suffering turns Him into an ethereal figure, disconnected from the reality around us.
Monday ended with the prophet Micah's quote (6:8-9), paralleling the day's opening, which began with Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). Because as certain as it is that there is no Mission without the Holy Spirit, there is also no Mission without justice. Because the Holy Spirit is justice, love, and mercy.
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| Ruth Padilla's participation at Lausanne IV. PHOTO: Joseph W. Handey (Twitter) |
This morning, as I stepped out of the hotel, I was surprised by the fresh air that greeted me. Below 18°C, it was an unexpected contrast, as I was prepared for over 28°C. At that moment, I thought about how this weather could be the perfect prelude for today's topic at the Fourth Lausanne Congress: the Holy Spirit.
According to biblical accounts, the Spirit is like air that refreshes, revives, and emboldens. Today, the fresh air reminded me of that life-giving presence, capable of renewing our strength amid the unexpected.
The conference began with a display of music, performed by professional groups. The enthusiasm of the audience, from over 200 countries, was palpable. We heard historic hymns from the evangelical tradition, but with contemporary musical arrangements, creating a fusion that connected generations and cultures—that was a preview of the day's message.
In addition to music, the arts were also present with a performance of Christian theater. The artistic expressions added another dimension to the congress, reminding us that creativity is also a way to proclaim and display Christ.
The central theme of the day was presented by Dr. Femi Adeleye from Ghana, director of the Institute of Christian Impact. I met Femi while working at World Vision, and I had the privilege of learning from his human quality and Christian character.
In his presentation, Femi emphasized that Christian mission is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit came," he said, "and the nascent Christian community opened its heart to receive Him. The result was going out into the world to proclaim the Gospel, accompanying that proclamation with the living experience of the third person of the Trinity. Because there is no mission without that power."
After the presentation, we had time for dialogue at our discussion tables. I participate at table I-24, along with colleagues from the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Guatemala, Spain, and Chile. This tables arrangement is essential for the Congress.
Today I reiterate what I said a few months ago, that we need more tables and fewer pulpits, or at least as many tables as pulpits. Theology is built through dialogue, not just listening. Jesus himself, more than a classic preacher, was a conversationalist. In the Gospels, we see him constantly dialoguing, teaching while listening and speaking with others.
At our table, we reflected on the miracles of the Holy Spirit and it relation to social and political injustices. We discussed whether missionary colonialism, which some consider a "fake news," is rather a historical reality from which some missionary agencies should repent. We also asked ourselves how the power of the Spirit manifests itself through the Great Commission and what it means to carry that power into an increasingly unequal world.
Towards the end of the day, we heard from Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst, a Latin American theologian who brought to the congress the issues that had been absent during the day: poverty, gender inequality, racism, discrimination against people with disabilities, and the industrial war fueled by theological ideologies. Ruth reminded us that invoking the Spirit of God without mentioning human suffering turns Him into an ethereal figure, disconnected from the reality around us.
Monday ended with the prophet Micah's quote (6:8-9), paralleling the day's opening, which began with Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). Because as certain as it is that there is no Mission without the Holy Spirit, there is also no Mission without justice. Because the Holy Spirit is justice, love, and mercy.
About the author:
Pastor and theologian Harold Segura is Colombian, currently residing in Costa Rica. He is the Director of Faith and Development for World Vision in Latin America and the Caribbean and the author of several books. Previously, he served as Rector of the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Colombia.
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