Lausanne World Pulse – LAUSANNE REPORTS – Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering West Africa Report

By Mark Kolo
February 2009

The Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering West Africa (YLGWA) was held 30 November – 4 December 2008 in Nigeria. On the eve of the programme major ethno-religious riots broke out in Jos, where the gathering was supposed to be held. Within twenty-four hours the venue was changed to Abuja. With several uncertainties due mainly to the Jos crises and the change of venue, the YLGWA opening session started with praise and prayer.

The gathering brought together fifteen mentors/speakers and fifty younger leaders from the English-speaking West African countries of Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. The breakdown of attendance was as follows:

Ghana  14 participants 
Liberia  7 participants 
Sierra Leone  2 participants 
Nigeria  40 participants 
Other  8 participants who came for part of the gathering 

Delegates were selected on the following criteria:

  • Church and mission leaders and/or Christian leaders in the marketplace
  • Generally aged twenty-five to thirty-five
  • Balanced geographical spread across countries and zones
  • Gender balance (male/female)

The younger leaders unanimously voted to adopt the theme: “Live and Lead Like Jesus.” Plenary speakers included:

  1. Pade Tokun, Calvary Ministries (CAPRO) in Democratic Republic of Congo and Central Africa
  2. Rev. Steve Asante, president, Ghana Baptist Convention
  3. Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Egbunu, Bishop of Lokoja Diocese, Anglican Communion
  4. Gideon Para-Mallam, Lausanne English, Portuguese, Spanish-speaking (EPSA) International Deputy Director

Participants identified six critical issues concerning evangelizing West Africa:

  1. Orphans and Vulnerable Children
  2. Transforming the Sub-Region through Prayer
  3. The Remaining Unreached People Groups
  4. Unveiling the Giant of Islam
  5. Understanding Youth Culture
  6. The Challenge of Liberal Theology and Nominalism

Although five workshop topics were identified, only two were held, since most of the resource persons were unable to make it due to either the crisis in Jos or the last minute changes. The two held were:

  1. Growing as an “EZRA” Younger Leader: How to Develop an Effective Devotional Life and Skill in Expository Bible Preaching for Transformation by Rev. Dr. T.B. Dankwa, senior pastor, Accra Chapel, Accra
  2. Team Building and Networking with Others as a Younger Leader for World Evangelization by Rev. Reuben Ezemadu, international director, Christian Missionary Foundation, Ibada

Additionally, the countries represented had an opportunity to share the challenges and opportunities for the gospel in their various countries.

Mark Kolo is facilitator of the Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering West Africa.