Council for World Mission
East and South Asia Region
2019 Asia Youth Initiatives
Healing the Future: Hope for Tomorrow
8-13 August 2019 (Thursday to Tuesday)
Bangkok, Thailand
Preamble
We, the delegates of the Council for World Mission 2019 Asia Youth Initiatives from CWM South Asia member churches (Presbyterian Church of India, Church of Bangladesh, Church of North India and Church of South India) and East Asia member churches (Presbyterian Church of Myanmar, Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia, Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and Presbyterian Church of Korea), gathered from 8th-13th August 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand to reflect on the theme, Healing the future: Hope for tomorrow.
We uphold one another in solidarity and understanding towards the difficulties and challenges faced by each member church, as shared during the Group Presentation. In particular, we remember our friends from HKCCCC during this time of national crisis and political volatility. Their undying spirit and quest for freedom demonstrate to us what it means to stand for what we believe.
Through Bible Studies, a solidarity and immersion programme to the Immigration Detention Center Bangkok, an advocacy workshop by the International Rescue Committee and four thematic reflections (e.g. Youth and Empire, Youth and Racism, Youth and the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Youth and Suicide), we openly discussed and engaged with social justice issues pertinent to our respective contexts and regions.
We acknowledge the prophetic role of the church in taking leadership and working towards fullness of life for all people, animals and the environment.
We affirm the need to be slow to anger and quick to listen, as James exhorts us in the Bible. The parable of the Good Samaritan is our example. Through our life and actions, we can be a channel of God’s healing grace to others’ physical and psychological wounds.
Solidarity and Engagement
Visit to the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC)
Each of the six delegates visited one detainee in the IDC. Bangkok’s urban migration situation was an eye-opening experience, giving us insight into the lives of some immigration offenders (as termed by the immigration).
We lament the sad and hopeless situations faced by these inmates and empathise with the context that they find themselves trapped in. However, we are encouraged by their tenacity and the hope that they hold on to, despite such circumstances.
Holy Communion Service at Christ Church Bangkok
The welcoming and inclusive nature of Christ Church Bangkok reminds us that the Church should be a place that embraces everyone. The church is nothing short of a miracle, as people from diverse background, location
and denomination partake of the Holy Communion by drinking from one cup and sharing the Body of Christ together. Different generations in church can actively involve and contribute to the life and work of the church, as seen in Christ Church Bangkok.
Advocacy Workshop by International Rescue Committee (IRC)
We hear the cries of the tribal minorities from Myanmar who enter Thailand as refugees and immigrants and face the prospect of refugee camps, statelessness and extradition.
We applaud the work of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), who does significant work in empowering the refugees through training and equipping, support and funding programmes despite their legal limitations.
Thematic Reflections
Youth and Empire
Empire is the concept of lording over and controlling, appearing in the laws and regulations that separate and discriminate people. Empire has no boundaries; it brings death and destruction to everyone.
The ‘left cheek and right cheek’ lesson from the Bible taught us to resist Empire in a non-violent manner. Historically, Jesus died because of political and religious persecution. Jesus stood up against the religious authorities as they were the oppressors of that time.
Today, Empire takes on many faces – profit-mindedness, greed, worship of money and the colonisation of our consciousness and values. We see intersectionality and blurred lines between religion, money and politics.
Competitiveness is a part of us, and it is one of the manifestations of Empire. In addition, our never-ending greed is the cause for its growth. Through our silence and ignorance, we unknowingly contribute to the life-denying forces of Empire.
Modern slavery exists in forms that we may not immediately recognise. Migrant workers in particular are a very vulnerable group. This is a serious issue that needs to be tackled head-on.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live differently from the world. Instead of judging others, we ought to speak against Empire and stand for justice and righteousness.
Youth and Racism
Racism is a manifestation of superiority of one race over another; a social cancer and the precursor to genocides and holocausts. It stands against God’s will. Most people mistake holy to mean ‘superior’. In the Bible, to be holy means to live differently from the world as God’s people.
Child victims of racism may resort to unhealthy ways of coping, such as substance abuse.
Acts 10 exhorts us not to name anything impure or unclean that God has made clean. Since Jesus has broken down the barrier, destroying the wall separating insiders and outsiders, we can enjoy the beauty of this fellowship in Him.
Youth and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
Technology is neutral; whether it is good or bad depends on how we use it. Morality and ethical decisions with discernment are important to counteract negative aspects of the development of technology.
The constant advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) remind us that some human traits cannot be replaced, such as creativity, morality, capacity for compassion. AI can cause us to ignore the responsibility that God has entrusted to us as bearers of God’s image. As homo educandus, human beings should retain dignity, morality and creativity in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Technology can be a double-edged sword. By harnessing the best of technology and combining it responsibly with the best of humanity, we can make Artificial Intelligence into “Intelligent Artificial”.
Churches are called to carry out the message for the next generation with God’s word and action and the means of usage of technology that will fulfil God’s will, based on the concept of co-operational coexistence.
Youth and Suicide
We appreciate HKCCCC’s contextualised approach to manage suicide rates through partnerships with other Christian organisations and prevention programmes in secondary schools through chaplaincy ministry.
A help-seeking mentality should be developed in people from a young age, in order for them not to fall into a deep, dark place in their lives where self-affliction or suicide become their only viable options.
Though suicide occurs in all countries, the causes and factors behind it vary from region to region. These factors need to be more closely examined in the light of a country’s culture and mindset in order to more effectively tackle the root causes of suicide.
Recommendations and Action
Living in constant opposition to Empire, the youth of today are called to live in simpler ways. In addition, we can take measures such as not investing into companies that promote destructive forces in the name of development.
It is the mandate of Christ that the Church should take a frontline stand against Empire, not simply relying on NGOs and other social organisations to do it.
It is our responsibility as youth to research and study about fundamental human rights in order to effectively learn and share with others how Empire works.
Racial discrimination is everywhere. Change should start in each of us. Jesus has led the movement of transforming justice that we should practice in our own contexts.
Casual racism should be avoided completely. Instead, we strive to be hospitable and have communion and fellowship with all people. Unification and inclusion can take place without diluting or undermining our unique diversity.
We appeal to policymakers all over the world to reinforce regulations on equal rights that prohibit racial discrimination.
The Church is called to be a prophetic witness against all kinds of racial discrimination. Special Sundays could be designated to promote awareness and speak against racial discrimination.
We as youth aim to share with the older generations how to embrace technology and harness its power in order to reap their benefits.
We desire more opportunities in churches for youth (in general) to be contributors and participants in carrying out God’s mission in the world.
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