Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) initiates Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly (AEYA)

by Marcy Gansler | published on Jan 19, 2018

Focusing on the theme ‘Lord, Send Your Light and Truth to Lead Us’, the Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly (AEYA) initiated by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) is scheduled to take place in Manado, North Sulewesi, Indonesia, April 6-13, 2018.

The AEYA will aim at engaging youth from across Asia in an ecumenical platform to express their views on a wide range of emerging Asian issues, and examine, reflect and unpack the underlying concerns faced by young people in a fast changing Asia.

Organised jointly with the local hosts, Gereja Masehi Injili Minahasa (GMIM) and the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), the AEYA intends to provide a common platform for selected young Asian Christians to develop a viable regional ecumenical youth network, in order to meaningfully affirm the prophetic witness, as well as helping them to drive a transformative change in their societies.

Prospective participants, between the age of 20 and 35, are encouraged to apply with endorsement by respective member churches or councils. CCA and local hosts will arrange board and lodging for all participants.

Limited travel bursaries will be made available upon requests to participants from South and South East Asian countries.

The deadline for receiving applications at the CCA Secretariat will be on 15 February 2018.

Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary of the CCA stated that “although several issues surrounding young people in the world today are not new, the underlying issues faced by young people are much different from yester years. The society we currently live pushes many young people to beyond their physical and mental limits as myriad issues continue to threaten the Asian youths. In this context, the AEYA will inspire young representatives from Asian churches to come together to beseech divine guidance to lead them in light and truth amidst complex realities”.

“As most Asian societies are still grappling with issues of varied magnitude, Churches in Asia should come forward to identify and prioritize the key issues and concerns faced by the young people and such issues should be a priority of Asian churches”, added the CCA General Secretary.

An Asia Easter Celebration, organised and facilitated by the Indonesian churches, will also be held on 8 April 2018 in conjunction with the AEYA.