Asian Evangelical leaders unite at the EFA convention

Prominent Evangelical leaders from Asia mobilized in the Indian capital, yesterday, for the opening ceremony of the Evangelical Fellowship of Asia (EFA) General Assembly 2008.

With the theme 'Asian Church and contemporary challenges' the assemblage mulled over the gargantuan Christian task Asia faces, and the need to foster Christian unity and platform to Evangelical Christians.

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, the General Secretary of Evangelical Fellowship of India, gave the invocation, later followed by the traditional garlanding of EFA delegates with special songs by the graceful Mizo Choir.

EFA General Secretary, Rev. Godfrey Yogarajah, briefly introduced the delegates, Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, World Evangelical Alliance director, Rev. Sang–Bok David Kim, the Chairman of EFA, and the Evangelical representatives of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

"After 25 years EFA is proud to announce that it is strongly continuing in keeping with its vision in unifying Evangelicals in Asia and their bodies," said Yogarajah, who proudly enunciated its membership of 16 Asian National Alliances and 12 associate members.

Rendering the keynote address, Rev. Sang–Bok Kim, who is also the Vice President of the Korean Evangelical Fellowship and senior pastor of Hallelujah Christian Church, articulated EFA's role in "honoring God and his son Jesus Christ, and seeking to unite Evangelicals in Asia, in building the Kingdom of God."

Declaring, "Asia needs Jesus Christ" Sang –Bok Kim added, "Asia is a really big continent, jam–packed with people, cultures, and hence our responsibility here is huge."

"Even after 2000 years, 97% of Asia is still in darkness and more than half countries in the continent is still to be connected with EFA. Our contemporary challenges are a lot," he added.

According to the U.N, Kim said, Asia has 33 countries and even New Zealand, Afghanistan is a part. "We only have 16 member countries, and we are yet to be connected with the rest half, including Tibet and China, where Christianity is steadfastly improving."

Kim announced that in the next four years, the primary aim of EFA would be to form Evangelical bodies in all Asian countries and to reach out to the un–reached with the Gospel.

Speaking about the persecution of Christians in Asia, Kim rued, "Every week I hear news of attacks against Christians in India and Sri Lanka. Both the countries, Churches have been strongly rooted. In countries like North Korea, Christians are severely attacked and in South Korea, we are shocked to see the media, who once attacked Christians, now even attacking 'Christianity'. They are now claiming, it is all a myth."

Kim predicated that the anti–Christian spirit is on rise in Asia and the "demonised system, morals and cultures must be corrected." Jesus Christ is the only hope to transform Asia, he reiterated.

The General Assembly gathering of EFA will continue till the 6th of August 2008, where the Evangelical leaders of their respected countries will also share their personal faith experiences, growth, and plans for the future of Christianity.