Evangelicals from around the world will be gathering in Cape Town, South Africa from Oct. 16-25 for the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization.

The goal of Cape Town 2010, according to the congress' website, is to re-stimulate the spirit of Lausanne represented in the Lausanne Covenant -- to promote unity, humbleness in service, and a call to action for global evangelization.

The first evangelical congress was held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1974 by Rev. Billy Graham. Some 2,700 participants and guests from over 150 nations gathered in the Swiss Alps for 10 days of discussion, fellowship, worship and prayer. The Congress achieved an unprecedented diversity of nationalities, ethnicities, ages, occupations and denominational affiliations.

Time Magazine described the Lausanne Congress as "a formidable forum, possibly the widest-ranging meeting of Christians ever held."

Over 4,000 leaders from 200 countries are expected to attend onsite in Cape Town. Thousands of other leaders will participate virtually - online and through other digital technology.