Proclaiming the Gospel with Justice: Freedom & Justice Panel Discussion

What does it mean to proclaim the whole gospel in a world marked by inequality, casteism, pollution, and cultural division?

In this thought-provoking panel hosted by the Lausanne Freedom and Justice Issue Network, global catalysts reflect on how justice and peace are not peripheral to evangelism—but essential expressions of the gospel in action. From caste and culture to media and the environment, this conversation challenges the global Church to rethink discipleship and mission in light of biblical justice.

Panelists

Lars Dahle – Catalyst, Media Engagement Network
Jasmine Kwong – Catalyst, Creation Care Network
Wilson Paluri – Catalyst, Hinduism Network
Moderator: Christie Samuel

Key Takeaways

Justice is at the heart of God’s character and therefore central to gospel witness.
Creation care, pollution, and environmental degradation are justice issues that affect both human and non-human creation.
Caste-based discrimination in South Asia continues even within churches—true witness requires dismantling injustice inside and outside the Church.
Media engagement must go beyond critique; Christians must tell stories of hope and justice, and raise up a new generation of journalists and content creators.
Cultural sensitivity is essential in evangelism—especially in Hindu-majority contexts, where dislocation can undermine the gospel message.
Justice is not a secular value to be avoided, but a gospel imperative to be embraced.

Watch now to explore how freedom, justice, and evangelism must move forward—together.

00:00 The Lausanne Covenant and Evangelization
00:43 Introducing the Panelists
02:12 The Importance of Justice in Evangelization
07:08 Creation Care and Justice
08:44 Justice Issues in Hindu Context
10:41 Media’s Role in Promoting Justice
15:35 Final Thoughts and Cultural Sensitivity
18:03 Conclusion and Call to Action

Issue Network Panel Discussion

As part of the Fourth Lausanne Congress, these panel discussions feature leaders from Lausanne’s global Issue Networks engaging some of the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing the Church today. Covering themes such as justice, integrity, orality, disability, leadership, and mission to the least-reached, each conversation offers biblical reflection, contextual insight, and collaborative vision for the whole Church to bring the whole gospel to the whole world.

Why Orality Matters: Communicating the Gospel Beyond Words | Orality Issue Network Panel Discussion

Anna Rapa, Billy Coppedge, Larry M. Dinkins & Ricki Gidoomal

24:37

Integrity Is Mission: Global Integrity and Anti-Corruption Network Panel Discussion

20:50

Justice at the Heart of the Gospel: Freedom & Justice Panel Discussion

25:17

A Biblical Vision for Resourcing God’s Work: A Ministry Fundraising Network Panel Discussion

Speakers' Bios

Lars Dahle

Catalyst for Media Engagement

Lars Dahle is a theologian, educator, preacher, and apologist. He is a Professor in Systematic Theology and Christian Apologetics at NLA University College in Kristiansand, Norway. He serves as executive director of Damaris Norway, a cultural apologetics and community engagement hub, and is the founding editor of the apologetic journal Theofilos.

Since 2013 he has been Lausanne Catalyst for Media Engagement, involved in training and equipping evangelical leaders and communicators globally. Lars chaired Lausanne Europe 20/21 and is now part of the Lausanne Europe Regional Team.

He is married to Margunn Serigstad Dahle and enjoys movies, history, walking, and gardening.

Jasmine Kwong

Catalyst for Creation Care

Jasmine is a creation care advocate with OMF International and based in the Philippines. With a background in conservation biology and community development, she often works in the intersections between people and the natural world. Her particular interests are in food security and marine conservation. She also serves on the board of Christians in Conservation in the Philippines, which is an affiliated project of A Rocha International.

Wilson Paluri

Catalyst for Hinduism

Wilson Paluri serves as a professor of religions and cultural studies at New Theological College (India) and is an ordained priest of the Church of North India. He is associated with national and international organizations that are reaching out to Hindus with the gospel. His passion is to teach and train young leaders and God's servants to be effective witnesses of Christ to people of other faiths, especially Hindus. His areas of interest include Indic studies, social philosophy, inter-religious relations, and mission studies. He has written on these topics and published a good number of articles in reputed journals. His wife, Preety Paluri, is also a faculty of Christian theology and women studies at New Theological College. They are blessed with two children, a daughter named Angella and a son named Adriel.

Christie Samuel

Catalyst for Freedom and Justice

Christie is the chief operations officer of Infinity Centre, which engages in empowering socially marginalized communities with quality education through a group of institutions based in South Asia. He is also part of the core team of SAMA Link, a network of mission organizations in South Asia, and is the President of the Federation of IT Industries Sri Lanka’s Education Chapter.

Christie has a special heart for the justice and empowerment of marginalized communities. He trains Christian workers on understanding the sociological needs of the community and standing with the oppressed. Prior to his educational venture, he was an IT professional for more than twenty years and was instrumental in starting corporate fellowships at various firms he has worked for globally. Christie is a contributing author for Tamil Diaspora: Intersectionality of Migration, Religion, Language and Culture.