Source/Author: By Sandra Ling

Asian Methodist Conference News (AMC)

It is by God’s grace and my privilege to attend the 4th AMC at Negombo, Sri Lanka from 17th-20th June 2015. The mere experience of living, learning and sharing among the Asian brothers and sisters in Christ from Singapore, India, Philippines, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Korea, Sri Lanka and Malaysia is just wonderful, encouraging, reviving and enriching! We are grateful to the Sri Lanka Methodist Church for hosting us.

The Conference Theme is “Facilitating Transformation in Asia”. Wow.transforming Asia! It seems ambitious! However, right at the Opening Ceremony, Bishop Taranath Saga from India, outgoing Chairman of Asian Methodist Council, encouraged us with Isaiah 47:14 “Fear not, you worm Jacob, I will help you...I will make you…”. That surely gave us all a warm assurance! The “worms” can transform Asia when placed in God’s almighty hand!!

The main theme comprised of the following three [sub] themes/ topics:

• Islam in Asia—by Dr Patrick Sookhdeo from Banabas Fund
• Discipleship Today—by Bishop Wee Boon Hup from Singapore
• Inter-faith Relations & Ethnic Integration—by Bishop Ong Hwai Teik of Malaysia

The three sub-themes focus on the history and present Islamization situations in Asia; discipleship in building relationship with Christ forming Christ-like character, being “other” centered, striving for personal/social holiness and accountability; Biblical Principles on Image of God, identity, Kingdom of God and compassionate social welfare in terms of addressing inter-faith and ethnic issues. What timely teachings and reminders!

There were sharing from country representatives from each country present pertaining to the national situation in terms of political-social-religious challenges being encountered, and how the Methodist Church in each country is engaging in evangelism, missions and nation building. The issue of church unity in a few emerging Asian countries that have different international sponsoring Methodist bodies was identified as a key concern that the AMC network will help address.

For all three mornings, the day began afresh with Devotions from the Word of the Lord. We are reminded of good Asian values and the Wesleyan tradition of faithful, productive and accountable discipleship especially in contemporary Asia.

One of the important programs of the conference is the election of the new Exco of AMC. The following officers were elected for the next three years [2015-2018] - the Chairman is Rev Dr Lam Sung Che (Hong Kong), the 2 Vice Chairmen are Bishop Yong-Jai Jun (South Korea) and Mr John Ling (Malaysia), Treasurer is Mr Kim Seah (Singapore), and the Secretary is Bishop Rodolfo Juan (Philippines). We thanked the outgoing Exco for their invaluable contributions to AMC, especially to Bishop Taranath Saga (India) and Bishop Nathaniel Lazaro (Philippines) who were the former Chair and Secretary respectively.

During the conference, the AMC practiced the teaching of the social compassion and concern taught by our Lord, in specifically helping the Sri Lankan war widows. It was resolved that a tenth of the AMC reserve funds will be given to the Sri Lankan Methodist Church for their “Empowering War Widows Families with Shalom” project that will help 300 war widows and 200 children. It was reported that Sri Lanka has 86,000 war widows aged 18-28, 58% of whom have 1-3 children – a grim legacy of the civil war that ended in 2009. This is a worthy cause to support: the Asia Methodist Council Executive Committee will further issue an appeal letter to all member countries for additional funds soon.

One highlight of our time in Colombo was an afternoon tour to the Oldest Methodist Church in Asia, built in 1816. It imprints the beautiful footsteps of the church forerunners/missionaries in our Wesleyan tradition. It also prompts us to ask what legacy we as individuals and as a whole church are leaving to the future generation!

In conclusion, in order to transform Asia, we should start from every individual, every Methodist believer who may feel weak and vulnerable like a "worm" but being willing to submit to God’s help and work alongside with all other Asian Churches of today, especially those in our Methodist family.