The 3rd Asian Methodist Conference

The 3rd Asian Methodist Conference (AMC) was held from the 25th – 28th of June 2011 in Hong Kong. It was attended by nearly 200 Methodists from 11 countries throughout Asia. Malaysia was represented by 34 participants from all our different conferences. Prior to the beginning of the AMC, the Fellowship of Asian Methodist Bishops (FAMB) met together for worship, fellowship and reporting of the current situations of the Methodist Churches in the various countries.

The theme for the 3rd AMC was "Excelling in the Work of the Lord – Methodist Mission in Asia Today". Bishop Hwa Yung, who was the Presiding Chairman of the AMC opened the conference with the call for all Methodists to follow the examples of the Methodist Tradition in mission. This was followed by three plenary ses-sions on Mission – "Integrating Evangelism, Social Transformation and Spirituality", "Reaching Migrant Workers" and "Cooperation in Missions". The participants were greatly enriched through the sharing of many key people in Missions during these plenary sessions. Mr. John Ling, our very own Malaysian representative in the AMB council also led in a session where all the countries present shared their mission work in their countries. It was a joy and privilege to be invited to pray as an Asian Methodist for all these mission work.

During the AMC, a general election was also held to elect new members to the AMC council for the next 3 years. From this council, an executive council was formed and Bishop Taranath S. Sagar from India was elected as the next AMC chairman. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the former AMC council for their fine work and called on all Methodist movements throughout Asia to close ranks and support each other as we build God’s Kingdom. The participants of the 3rd AMC was greatly blessed by the members of the Hong Kong Methodist Church President Rev. Prof. Lo Lung-kwong. Through their hard work and great hospitality all participants were treated with utmost care throughout the conference. Apart from the conference, tours to various mission and social care centres by the Hong Kong Methodist churches were arranged for all the participants. A special mention of thanks and gratitude also has to be given to them for the logistical coordination given to all the participants.

At the end of the conference, all the participants were richly blessed with the knowledge that God’s work through the Methodists is growing in Asia. They are greatly encouraged and will keep the fire of God’s mission burning brightly. They will also to keep each other in prayer as they strive to see God glorified through our movements. Friendships were also made across Asia through this conference. In is in this fellowship that assures us that the Kingdom of God is real and vibrant in this region.

By Michael William