With the 2017 calendar already into its first month, Asia Pacific Baptists are being stirred into action in preparation for the biggest multi-nation confluence of Baptists of the Asia Pacific region to be held at Yogyakarta, Indonesia from September 25th to 29th, 2017, the 9th Asia Pacific Baptist Congress.
Themed at Acts 1:8 – ‘Never ending Good News,’ the build-up to the congress will have two pace-setters: a Relief & Development consultation and a Theological Education Symposium from September 22nd to 25th, 2017. The Congress, the last of which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in September 2012, has been conducted once every five years ever since the first one hosted by Hong Kong in 1973.
Rev. Bobby Resu, General Secretary of APBF stated that the Asia Pacific Baptist Congress aims to strengthen the unity among Baptists in Asia Pacific, as one body with one vision: to reach Asia Pacific for Jesus Christ with the never ending Good News!
“Asia Pacific is the largest region in, both spatial and demographic terms. Over 4billion peoples of Asia are waiting for the great salvation revealed only in Christ Jesus. Let us celebrate together, our unity in Christ and work together to strengthen the church and its witness,” Resu said.
“Indonesia was chosen due to its ideal location in Asia, its visa on arrival facility for many countries and relatively easy visa application regime. Yogyakarta also is a safe place, full of culture, handicrafts, natural beauty like dormant volcanoes and hills seen in the distance, and very friendly, peaceful and welcoming people. There are many recreational attractions for families at Yogyakarta,” he stated. This was affirmed further by the Vice Sultan of Yogyakarta and the Mayor of the city, who recently met a delegation of APBF officers and Indonesian Baptist leaders led by Rev. Resu on November 22, 2016.
“With the dynamic growth of Baptists in Asia, we expect around 2,000 participants to attend this conference,” said Resu. The 7th APBF Congress in Chiangmai, Thailand in 2007 had in attendance over 1,800 participants from all across Asia Pacific. The 8th APBF Congress in Kuala Lumpur in 2012 had over 1,600 participants. The upcoming 9th APBF congress will feature some of the best Baptist speakers globally and within the region, and a variety of workshops. The congress will also seek to showcase a representative mix of the richness of culture that the Asia Pacific is.
The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF) is a regional organization of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), representing over 33,000 local churches, 59 Conventions in 21 Countries with over 5 million baptized members across the Asia Pacific region. APBF envisions promotion of unity among Asia Pacific Baptists with a mission to impart inspiration, promote spirit of fellowship, service and cooperation through mission and evangelism, relief & development, peace network, leadership development, theological education, information sharing and networking
