By Matters India Reporter

Manado: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) will organize the Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly (AEYA) in Manado, North Sulewesi, Indonesia from April 6 to 13.

“The AEYA will aim at engaging youth from across Asia in an ecumenical platform to express their views on a wide range of emerging Asian issues, and examine, reflect and unpack the underlying concerns faced by young people in a fast-changing Asia,” Reverend Mathews George Chunakara, general secretary, CCA, told Matters India.

The theme of AEYA is on ‘Lord, Send Your Light and Truth to Lead Us.’

“Organized jointly with the local hosts, Gereja Masehi Injili Minahasa (GMIM) and the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), the AEYA intends to provide a common platform for selected young Asian Christians to develop a viable regional ecumenical youth network, in order to meaningfully affirm the prophetic witness, as well as helping them to drive a transformative change in their societies,” Chunakara said.

Prospective participants, between the age of 20 and 35, are encouraged to apply for endorsement by respective member churches or councils. CCA and local hosts will arrange board and lodging for all participants.

The deadline for receiving applications at the CCA Secretariat will be on February 15.

“Although several issues surrounding young people in the world today are not new, the underlying issues faced by young people are much different from yesteryears. The society we currently live pushes many young people go beyond their physical and mental limits as myriad issues continue to threaten the Asian youths. In this context, the AEYA will inspire young representatives from Asian churches to come together to beseech divine guidance to lead them in light and truth amidst complex realities,” Chunakara said.

“As most Asian societies are still grappling with issues of varied magnitude, Churches in Asia should come forward to identify and prioritize the key issues and concerns faced by the young people and such issues should be a priority of Asian churches,” he added.

An Asia Easter celebration, organized and facilitated by the Indonesian churches, will also be held on April 8 in conjunction with the AEYA.