ASIA’S HARVESTERS ADVANCE THE GOSPEL
For Immediate Press Release
The tremendous expansion of the Asian harvest fields by the Asia Evangelistic Fellowship (AEF) has aroused much praise, thanksgiving and joy among delegates at the 7th AEF International Triennial Conference of Leaders just ended in Singapore in mid 2004. Christ is exalted in the latest mission initiatives in some great cities of India, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as the remote parts of Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam and the new work at the Pacific-the Solomon Islands. The excitement has inspired shouts of joy and victory among the supporting countries – Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Canada.
In their praise and worship, devotionals, strategy papers, country reports and public lectures, some 50 delegates from the 13 countries recounted the bountiful blessings of the Holy Spirit in their harvests in Asia.
Founder’s Legacy Lives On
In the five-day deliberations 14-18 July 2004, AEF delegates and the local Singaporeans were uplifted and encouraged to learn how the faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word advanced in old and new fields despite severe persecutions and difficulties. Among the memorable moments in the public lectures and conference meetings were the individual sharing and group presentations about different types of mission harvest as a result of the visionary, loving and multi-directional spearheading efforts of the late Dr. G.D. James, the founder of AEF.
Opening the conference, Mr. Jonathan James, the Executive Director of AEF, set the tone and directed the delegates to the 8 Cardinal Principles of the AEF Philosophy of Ministry as that which is initiated by God and worked out by Man. Dr Alan Meers, former Principal of Perth Bible College, presented the first Strategy Paper by reminding delegates about the regenerative nature of evangelism and the different agencies of regeneration. Christ has done all that is necessary for our salvation while the Holy Spirit is continuing to convict, comfort, encourage and help us to communicate God’s Word to all people in different contexts and countries. The other strategy papers spelt out specific methods for meeting diverse needs using traditional and modern strategies in different tenor and media – radio and the Internet to preach Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
New Directions
Delegates from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam reported their harvests despite sacrifices of lives, goods and properties.
Ezung of North East India shared with deep emotion:
"I was shocked to learn that my co-worker was shot dead last December while preaching at an open-air meeting…"
Singapore has focused its outreach wisely to the foreign workers and students at the Institute of Technical Education. New work was launched at The Solomon Islands with the commissioning of Felix Vari as the national worker while Rev. Benjamin Tham was appointed as the national worker for Malaysia focusing on Kuala Lumpur. People of these 9 countries will also be reached by an additional agency, Radio Destiny, a weekly short-wave radio program going to a potential audience of 1.8 billion people. The workers will be trained in the newly launched Asia College of Ministry (ACOM) headed by Dr. Alan Meers, recently appointed as the Training Coordinator of ACOM. The other four countries, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Canada, will continue to support the work of the harvesters under God’s grace through prayer and finances.
Launch of Dr. G. D. James Memorial Lecture
Speaking at the launch of the Dr. G.D. James Memorial Lecture and Awards on Missions and Preaching, Dr Michael Shen, Principal of the Singapore Bible College paid tribute to Dr. G.D. James as "one of Asia’s most outstanding evangelists and Bible teachers", a visionary leader, an effective preacher, a friend and an encourager to many Christians. To him and many others, Dr. G.D. James will always be remembered because of his vision for Asia, wit, humour, and Christian writing.
The newly elected AEF International President, Dr. Met Castillo of the All Nations College, Philippines, challenged the delegates and guests to respond to the phenomenal outworking of the Lord in our generation in Asia today.. Dr. Castillo stressed the importance of focusing on the "sendness" of the missionary rather than to whom and to where he goes. Missions should always aim at sending Christians to those who have not believed. "As the Father has sent me," Jesus said, "so I send you." (John 20:21). He noted that missions in Asia today are largely church-based. The evangelical churches in the developed countries are sending young and older members on short term missions or as career missionaries while the developing countries are focusing on sending tentmakers across cultures. Dr. Graham Johnston later gave a most captivating and instructive lecture on preaching in the Post-Modern World with emphasis on entering into the minds and hearts of our listeners.
New President
The Conference ended with a Council Meeting with Dr. Met Castillo, well known missiologist from the Philippines installed as the President of AEF International and Jonathan James appointed as the Executive Director of AEF International for another 3 year term.
A New Chapter
Some 300 people consisting delegates, friends and supporters of AEF brought the Conference to a successful conclusion at a Celebration Dinner with determination to strengthen the existing work and seek for new pastures and continuing the harvest in new fields until the next AEF Triennial conference in year 2007.
Dr Ellis Murry, a noted Mission Statesman from India summed up the strategic missionary significance of the Conference with this perceptive observation:
"We have, through God’s grace, added another Chapter to the Book of Acts…"
Reported by Dr Chen Ai Yen (Media Coordinator)
Singapore
30th July 2004