The original Lausanne conference brought together 150 Christian religious leaders from around the world and was called by a committee headed by Billy Graham of the United States. The drafting committee for the document was chaired by John Stott of the United Kingdom. In addition to the signing of the covenant, the conference also created the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. The covenant is in the form of an ecumenical confession, in which the signatories profess their shame at having failed to spread the Gospel of Jesus. The covenant specifically affirms the beliefs in the Nicene Creed. The signatories express their intention to be more committed to spreading Christianity throughout the world. It lists fifteen specific beliefs to which the signatories testify their faith.