May 20, 2003

Asia Leaders Conference

“Sharing Our Witness and Resources” was the theme of the Asia Leaders Conference held February 8-11 in Hong Kong. Eleven languages were translated to enhance sharing among more than 50 participants from China, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Apostle Jac Kirkpatrick, who coordinated the conference, felt that “the enthusiastic interaction and productive synergy between our ministers from such uniquely different religious environments made the experience especially stimulating and helpful.”

Apostle Steve Veazey offered guest ministry.

President of the Council of Twelve, Apostle Steve Veazey, and field officers Paul Hardwick, Steven Shields, and Ron Smith provided guest ministry and assistance. Sherri Kirkpatrick also joined the group following health trainings she conducted in Gumiguda and Muski, India. Steve Veazey said, “After hearing a general overview of the sharing goal, with its twin dimensions of ‘Each One, Reach One’ and ‘Honor God’s Call to Tithe,’ the delegates did an outstanding job of translating the themes into their cultural contexts. It was exciting to hear them develop strategies for implementing the sharing goal in appropriate ways throughout Asia.”

Chito Magabilin, a World Church minister in the Philippines, was particularly uplifted by stories about disciples in India who “give their offerings to God despite their poverty.” By sharing this idea with all the congregations he visits, Chito hopes to encourage others to be generous in their response to God’s call. Nanda Malla, a World Church minister in Nepal, said, “We have so many things to share and responses to meet the needs of the church, and to be ready to provide more and joyfully for the great work.” He continued by saying, “One of the key factors of church growth is discipleship-sharing our witness and resources to fulfill our mission and goals.”

Steven Shields said, “The Asia Leaders Conference was important for the Asia Field because it was a unique opportunity to bring together the leaders in one setting. The sharing of stories, testimonies, and projects not only provided encouragement for each other, it also provided some new ideas.” One example is a children’s Sunday school resource developed by the Korea Church, which was adapted by the Nepal Church-a country where Christian resources for children are not readily available.

Chika Kinugawa and Sachiko Komaki from Seijo, Japan, participated in the conference.

Shields also noted that hearing the testimonies of those who have faced difficult challenges and even open persecution in some parts of the Asia Mission Field led to greater understanding. “Leaders were able to reflect on these situations in comparison to their own cultures and appreciate the freedoms that some parts of our field experience,” he said. For example, Charles is a church leader in China where, because of government regulations, Christian movements must be particularly careful. He was encouraged by the strength of those who minister in cultures with similar concerns.

Charles returned to his congregation and made outreach a theme for each worship during the month of March. “Everyone now is assured that we should, and can, become more active and ambitious,” he said; “…We now are bravely putting the call of sharing our witness and resources and ‘Each One, Reach One’ into practice and hoping to be more fruitful in the future.”

David de Guzman, World Church minister from the Philippines, said, “It was an amazing experience to know the different perspectives in the lives of leaders living in different nations and cultures. The learning experience gave me greater challenge to continue my ministry more expressively in proclaiming the gospel of Christ.”

Rupa Kumar was one participant who shared her story with the gathering. When Rupa and her husband Sam Kumar, a World Church minister, moved to Chennai, India, they went all around the city. “You must feel the city in order to understand the city,” she said. “We visited many slums and were able to empathize with the people there,” she continued. Although the Kumars had not started their exploration of Chennai with any big plans, they saw problems that needed to be addressed and responded by creating a small council, which is now national.

Rupa is no longer involved with the council and explains that she was just the catalyst-answering God’s call to discipleship in a way that her community needed. The opportunity for the Kumars to serve as catalysts of Christ’s love has presented itself again and again, helping people deal with drug addictions, physical and mental health challenges, and situations of domestic violence. Rupa explained how paying attention to the needs of particular individuals can grow into ministries that reach out to entire communities.

Worship services at the Asia Leaders Conference were led by participants from different countries and reflected the rich variety of cultures that are part of the Asia Mission Field. Daily Bible studies provided opportunities to engage in the daily themes: Share Our Witness, Being the Community, Share Our Resources, and Go Forth and Make Disciples. Shields said, “Sharing meals, discussion, and exploration of the city together provided the participants a chance to get to know each other and bond in special ways that only such conferences can provide.”

Veazey said, “I was especially impressed with how quickly the Holy Spirit wove the people from various nations and cultures into a close-knit community. Members from nations where the church had been present for many years shared their stories about how the church was established in the Orient and in Asia decades ago. This allowed the newer members present to gain a sense of appreciation for the history of the church in Asia. In turn, some of the newest members of the church from places such as China shared vibrant and enthusiastic testimonies of the gospel that inspired and motivated the others for the ministry yet to occur.”

-Kendra Friend reporting