Asian Covenant Leaders to Pursue Ministry Strategies

TOYKO, JAPAN (November 22, 2001) - Covenant representatives from four Asian countries will meet next May in Taiwan to consider ways in which their respective Covenant denominations can partner in pursuit of common ministry objectives.

That meeting will coincide with observance of the 50th anniversary of the Taiwan Covenant Church May 16-19.

The group agreed to consider forming a committee to guide a planning process - each country will identify one member to serve on the planning group. The group will consider numerous suggestions that surfaced during the recently concluded consultation.

The top photo shows leaders from the four major Asian Covenant entities, along with leaders of the mission department of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) in North America. Pictured (from left) are Thongpan Prometta, president of the Thailand Covenant Church; Paul Devakumar, founder and president of the India for Christ Ministries Covenant Church; Jim Gustafson, executive minister of ECC's Department of World Mission; Masami Katsumoto, president of the Japan Covenant Church; John Y.C. Lin, president of the Taiwan Covenant Church; and David Husby, Asia regional coordinator for the Department of World Mission.

"In getting together like this, the goal was not only to deepen relationships with one another, but also to develop concrete ideas for ways to work together," said Katsumoto, whose national church played host for the consultation. (Center photo shows Katsumoto with interpreter Jim Peterson.) "We ask you to take the ideas back to your own countries and discuss them with your other leaders and share the vision you have developed here."

Katsumoto also asked representatives to support the recommendation that a committee be formed to guide the process, including selection of committee members. Support for the plan also came from Devakumar, Prometta and Lin, who extended the invitation for the committee to hold its first meeting as part of the Taiwan celebration next May.

"I would like to see the goals and objectives established," said Nathan Chang (bottom photo), former president of the Taiwan Covenant Church. But, he cautioned that patience is required. "It may take some time as there is a need to establish relationships and friendships, a need to build an attitude of mutual cooperation," he said. "I believe this will result in a sense of family in spreading the gospel."

Two areas of concern are of particular importance to this emerging cooperative - the need for leadership training - both laity and clergy - and a focus on reaching the youth of these cultures. Other suggested areas for cooperative efforts include joint funding of projects, short-term gospel team visitations, increased long-term mission programs, enhanced evangelistic efforts, economic development programs and outreach efforts to the poor and other disadvantaged individuals.

The consultations signal a significant change in the way mission is accomplished, Gustafson notes. Gone are the days of what he terms "neo-colonialism" with missionaries doing things for others. The newer approach is to encourage development of local leadership to assume responsibility for ministry in their respective areas.

"What you have (in the consultations) are Asians talking to Asians - brilliant and gifted people," Gustafson said. "They don't need neo-colonialists telling them what to do. That's empowerment - everyone has something to say." That sentiment was echoed by Husby, who recalled the first consultation in 1999 in Thailand.

"That first meeting was pushed by the Department of World Mission with the hope that the effort would crystallize into some kind of organization," he said. "The Covenant people from these Asian countries realized they had much in common. By the time that meeting ended, leadership had emerged and the group decided on its own to meet again. They took ownership."

"There is a synergy here," observed Gustafson. "It is great to see the process work, to see God speaking to the hearts of others in similar ways."

(Editor's note: for related stories and photos as they develop, visit the special Asian link elsewhere on the Covenant home page.)

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