That decision came at the conclusion of the recent Asia consultation in Bangkok. The leadership committee also discussed additional cooperative mission ventures in Asia.
“We had a greater variety of guests,” Husby said, including first-time guests from Covenant-related ministries in Bangladesh, India; the Hindustani Covenant Church in Pune, as well as Denmark and Laos. Other regions – Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Bangalore – also were represented, Husby noted.
The consultation concluded with a traditional Thai worship service with all participants seated on straw mats. The worship service incorporated traditional Thai instruments, Thai worship music, and communion Thai style – sticky rice and wild berry juice for the elements. Scripture readings came from many of the represented languages, in addition to various prayers and the traditional Thai string tying ceremony – a rite in which participants tie strings on each other’s wrists while giving a blessing.
“We have become more like a big family as our relationships have deepened,” said Vernon Wu, chair of the Taiwan Covenant Church in reflecting on the meeting. Another participant, Paul Devakumar, leader of India For Christ Ministries Covenant Church in Bangalore, observed, “For the first time, we included youth leaders and they brought a lot of liveliness and energy.”
Different groups from the various countries represented led what Husby described as “lively worship sessions” during the event, including a contingent of Thailand Covenant Church youth who came from various places around the country and performed music and dance representing their respective local cultures (accompanying photo).
Numerous presentations were offered around the theme of developing tomorrow’s leaders. Presenters included Vernon Wu; Mr. M, the leader of a large movement to Christ among Muslims in Bangladesh; Jim Gustafson, former Covenant missionary in Thailand who also led the Department of World Mission; Dr. Viggo Sogaard, retired professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and a member of the Denmark Covenant Church; and Curt Peterson, who serves as the executive minister of the Department of World Mission.
