Asian Mission Conference
Last Updated (Friday, 12 May 2023 11:58)
“Walking with Jesus”
Asian Mission Conference
Chennai, India; 11-14 September 2023
‘Two of Jesus’ disciples were confused and discouraged after Jesus’ death. They left Jerusalem on Easter Day. Do we experience confusion and disappointment in our life and ready to quit on a personal level or in our YMCA? On their journey home to Emmaus, Jesus drew near to these two disciples, walked with them, and ignited their hearts once again. Would you allow Jesus to transform your doubts into faith and be commissioned to share the Gospel through the YMCA?
These are some of the questions that together the participants of the Asian Mission Conference 2023 will reflect on. The event will be held in Chennai, India on 11-14 September 2023 immediately before the APAY 21st General Assembly. The conference is organized by the YMCA Christian Mission Network and information about the event can found on https://www.ymca-unify.eu/worldwide/networks/asia.
What is the YMCA Christian Mission Network?
The YMCA Christian Mission Network is a group of YMCA leaders, volunteers and staff who are interested in strengthening the Christian Mission of the YMCA The YMCA Christian Mission Network is relationship based and not institutional. The focus is on experience and practice of the Christian Mission than on theological reflections. It seeks to build unity in and through Christ in a wide range of spiritual expressions, church and denominational backgrounds. The Mission Network is centred in the person of Jesus Christ. Moreover, the Mission Network is committed never to be any kind of parallel structure to the existing governing bodies and boards of national, regional, and global YMCAs. Rather, the network exists to enrich and complement existing structures. It works alongside established and elected bodies of governance and has no formal influence or vote in the decision-making process of local, national, or international YMCAs. Apart from sharing best practice experiences of Christian expressions in the YMCA it seeks to build Christian fellowship. Prayer, worship, bible studies are key elements to strengthen the personal lives of members of the Mission network.
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| ↑ Daily worship during the World Mission Conference in Aarhus Denmark |
Growth of Mission Network
Since their founding, the Mission Networks have seen substantial growth. A rising interest is evident among YMCA leaders to (re)discover the roots of the movement. Although no financial resources are provided, attendance at the conferences has been increasing. This is evidence that the Mission network is having a positive and growing impact on the global YMCA movement. But numbers alone are not sufficient to measure impact. Every participant of Mission Conferences has expressed that they receive personal renewal, encouragement and inspiration from the Conferences.
History The first Mission Network started in December 2002 in Valparaiso, Chile. Óscar Órdenes, General Secretary of YMCA Chile had the idea for a Conference and invited all national movements in South America and local Associations to join. Even though the attendance of this first Mission network Conference was low, the participants experienced the presence of God in the Conference and were strengthened in their personal faith and in their service in the YMCA. So, it was decided to do a second Conference just six months later in Lima, Peru. There the Mission Network Latin America was birthed and since then annual Conferences have taken place in Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Brazil. In the late 90s in the US leaders came together and sought ways to strengthen the Christian Mission of the YMCAs in the US. The US YMCAs had seen significant growth in the last 50 years, but some YMCA leaders felt that the “C” in the YMCA was gradually weakening. So, it was decided to start “John17” Conferences which took place over a period of 7 years and later merged with the US Mission network. In Europe the Mission Network was birthed in 2012 when the first “UNIFY” Conference took place in Northampton, England. UNIFY was an outcome of the first official global gathering preceding the 2010 YMCA World Council in Hong Kong. There have been on going initiatives to start Mission Networks in Asia and Africa. It is likely that a Mission Network will be formed in Asia in 2020. Although there has been international participation in Mission Network gatherings since 2007, however, The World Mission Network was started in 2010 in Hong Kong. It was for the first time a wider global group met for a 3-day Conference prior to the World Council to discuss the Christian Mission of the YMCA. Since then, Mission network conferences have been held in Estes Park (2014) and in Chiang Mai, Thailand (2018) preceding each World Council gatherings. |
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| ↑ Excursion to the Lighthouse Church in Tunø Island during World Mission Conference in Aarhus Denmark |
For Participation, please contact: Peter Ho | Rev Samuel Stephens |