South Asian Christian Youth Network conference 2013

South Asian Christian Youth Network conference 2013

SACYN 2013 delegates at the beach

SACYN 2013 delegates at the beach

“SACYN this year was held in Jaffna, Sri Lanka last week. I was involved as part of the planning team this year and am pleased to inform the conference went very well. The theme this year  was “ Deep Roots : Nurturing of Asia Christian Identities” . Among others , Kang-San delivered some teaching on ‘The foreignness of Christianity’ and challenged us that Christianity needed to adopt more Asian culture and in order to have impact on the Asian faiths . This weeklong journey of reflecting together was in in a region which served as the arena of armed conflict for almost thirty years , the war came to an end in 2009 , in its final leg ,over a hundred thousand people were killed in a span of a few weeks .

We were all moved deeply when we had the opportunity to  meet with the local community and hear stories of the tremendous and devastating impact of war and fighting in the area. However even in this ocean of despair and seeming hopelessness ,we also glimpsed Hope as we heard from and about individuals and the church of Ceylon as a whole who continue to strive for Peace and Reconciliation drawing strength and encouragement from Christ . It put into perspective just how effective Christians and church can be in our part of the world – South Asia were conflicts and violence in its various forms and intensities are on the rise .

I am now back in Delhi catching up on work and some needed rest! Praise God for a great conference.”

Stephen Edison – Regional Co-ordinator