Asia-Pacific is the world’s most populous and by that token the largest unreached region, with less than 8 per cent Christian believers. In this backdrop is the rising intolerance and militancy of dominant religions, whether fundamentalists in Indonesia or zealots in India, the trend of persecution seems to be on the rise. The recent attack on Christians and churches in the Indian state of Orissa where up to 10 people were killed, many hundreds injured, and close to 100 churches razed to the ground, is consternating and condemnable.
These are challenges to which the church cannot remain blind, and must committedly meet head on. We need to work and speak for justice; for human rights and freedom of religion; we need to work for the economic uplift and empowerment of the poor. We need to be seriously engaged in sharing the message of hope and salvation in Jesus Christ! These are challenges for the APBF and its members to show that Jesus Cares!
There is more to a change in name than mere cosmetics. With a new team, and renewed thrust areas, we also need newer visions for the APBF. In the coming years we need to focus on certain key issues and areas of ministry and address them.
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Mission coordination: The task of reaching 92 per cent of Asia cannot be achieved unless we approach it in a coordinated cohesive manner. To this end we are planning a major mission consultation sometime this year in partnership with BWA Living Water emphasis. We are working on the programme with committee chairperson Dr. Brian Winslade. The focus will be on mission leaders from the convention level to start with. Watch out for more details. |
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Caring for the Weak and Needy: With over 700 million people living with less than 1 US$ a day in Asia, and with so many natural and man made calamities on the increase, there is a great need for getting involved. With the formation of the Asia Pacific Baptist Aid (APBAid) and its full time officer, Rev. Kabi Gangmei, we are trying to switch from our current reactive and interventionist mode to being more proactive. We need to transit beyond emergency response to economic empowerment. Let us pool resources so that Baptists can do more in this important ministry of caring for others. |
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Leadership empowerment: Nowhere is there greater need for this than in our churches and conventions. It can take place at several levels. |
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i) |
Train younger leaders through scholarship and guidance; |
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Involve and engage younger leaders emulating BWA’s initiative for Emerging leaders; |
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iii) |
Train in-service pastors and leaders as in countries like Cambodia, India, Thailand, Myanmar etc. with greater frequency and regularity |
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Impart theological education to coordinate and upgrade many institutions. The symposiums initiated by Lilian Lim are laudable and must be encouraged. It holds forth the prospect of a Baptist accreditation system. |
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Conflict Resolution remains a great need in the light of many ongoing regional conflict. Conflicts are not only political and communal but even within the church. On the other hand, the church in many of our countries is already leading peace initiatives. The APBPN needs more empowered to get involved. Alan Marr, Chairman APB Peace Network and his team are already engaged in several areas for which they deserve our applause. |
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Giving of Member bodies need to be increased: A matter which needs our special attention is the support for APBF by our member bodies. While the goodwill is not lacking, it needs to be translated into giving regularly. Something we hope to see more of in the ensuing months. |
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Constitution Review and others: Our constitution also needs revision and we gratefully acknowledge the work that Allan Smith has already put in with the draft. Special mention must be made of our appreciation and thanks to our former Treasurer Allan Smith who continues to work as officiating Treasurer of the APBF and assisting the Treasurer Surang Kee. |
I look forward to the coming year of working together with the APBF officers as well as the member bodies and all Baptists. God bless Asia Pacific! May we be a blessing to show that Jesus Cares!
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