Taipei, 26-29 April 2011 Moderator and Executive Board of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
Delegates, Distinguished Guests, Sisters and Brothers in Christ: It is a great privilege for me to be invited to this important General Assembly of the PCT. I bring warm greetings from the Christian Conference of Asia, a fellowship of 100 member churches and 16 national councils in 21 countries in Asia, namely: Japan, Korea, Hong Kong SAR China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Iran, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Timor Leste (East Timor), Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. PCT is one of the members of CCA. Based on the mandate of the CCA Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur in April 2010, our CCA vision is “Life together in common witness to God’s love through transforming mission.” Our Mission is that “in the next five years (2011-2015), Christian Conference of Asia will encourage, equip, accompany and share with churches in Asia to engage in prophetic, compassionate, healing and reconciling ministries for the realization of justice and equality for all.” This is our common commitment as Asian churches. In light of the understanding that CCA is a fellowship of Asian churches committed to the above Vision and Mission, it is crucial that CCA member churches and councils give some thought to integrate the CCA Vision and Mission in their respective programs as they may be relevant to their context. I do hope that in the program of PCT these concerns will be reflected also. We are aware that we live in a challenging time. We are called to express our solidarity with people of Asia who have been affected by the natural calamities, such as: tsunami in Japan, earthquake in Myanmar and Aotearoa New Zealand, floods in Pakistan, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, volcano eruption in Indonesia, typhoon in the Philippines, Vietnam and China. These natural calamities occurred, one after another within less than a year, give us the signs on the fragile condition of our ecological life in Asia. The ecological injustice that has been imposed by human beings on the whole creation continues to be a serious challenge to our communities today. Churches in Asia and around the world are urged to strengthen their prophetic ministry, through concrete actions especially to prevent the worse scenario to happen, and to heal the wounded and groaning creation. The impact of the global economy crisis is being felt in the cities and villages of Asia, striking hardest the poor communities. We note the significant growth in number of migrant workers moving from developing to the developed countries within Asia, as well as the alarming rise of communal violence and the threat to human security in conflict ridden areas. The issue of national identity often fuels the tension between nations. These realities caused many pains, hatred and ill feelings that need to be healed. It is for such times that the churches in Asia are called to prophesy for peace and justice for all, and to enhance the ministry of reconciliation in the life of communities. The theme of our Asia Sunday 2011, which is normally celebrated on Sunday before Pentecost, is: “Make us Healers, O God.” Last but not least, let me express my appreciation for the faithful support and contribution of the PCT in the life and ministry of the CCA. May God’s wisdom guide you in your deliberations. Thank you. Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang
CCA General Secretary |