I. Introduction/Preamble

The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF) TEAM consultation held in Melaka, Malaysia, from 26th to 29th May 2024 brought together select leaders in the ministries of Theological Education, Aid, and Mission, along with partners drawn from among the 65 APBF member Conventions representing 22 nations of Asia Pacific regions that include over 40,000 local churches. They met to explore the theme of "Holistic Transformation - Living God's Story in the Next Decade".

II. The Objectives of the TEAM gathering:

This was a practitioners' consultation aimed to foster cross-learning among individuals engaged in the Theological, Aid and Mission ministries of APBF within the context of their churches, communities and nations. The focus is on integrating the Holistic Transformation Movement (HTM) within the APBF

• To reflect and assess progress made in the growth of the Holistic Transformation approach since its launch and endorsement in 2021.
• To strengthen the understanding and praxis of the HTM within APBF ministries.
• To share successful strategies, interventions, and best practices implemented by Baptist theological institutions, churches, and communities in the region.
• To inspire, enhance and encourage further collaboration, innovation, and networking.
• To exchange ideas, resources, and expertise to amplify the impact of collective efforts.
• To review and adapt existing Holistic Transformation strategies in the region and incorporate lessons learned and insights gained from the ongoing groundwork.
• To emphasise the importance of empowering local leadership to sustain the work of the HTM.

These objectives aim to build upon the foundation laid during the 2021 APHTS summit, considering the progress made and the evolving context in the Asia Pacific region.

Over the past 50 years, one of the most significant and far-reaching developments in global Christianity has been the widespread embrace of the concept of Holistic mission. The overarching framework of ministry integrates the biblical call to evangelism and discipleship. A loving discipleship that includes not only looking after people's wellbeing, especially that of poor, marginalised, sick, and the lonely but also cares for the wellbeing of the rest of God's creation. This biblical call involves ministries that embrace the idea of holistic mission expressed in both word and deed. It envisions connections between Christians across the globe to empower the local church to be centres of spiritual, social, and economic transformation, bringing the shalom of God's kingdom to the ends of the earth.

TEAM (Theological Education, Aid and Mission) began as a simple invitation to present a paper on “Word & Deed” in 2002 and has now grown into a key strategic consultative platform for Holistic Mission within APBF.

This consultation focused on integrating further the Holistic Transformation strategy and approach within and through its ministries and building upon the foundational agreements reached at the APHTS summit.

III. Challenges and Opportunities:

The challenge of teaching, sharing, and practicing the whole Gospel in the AsiaPacific Context is among the most critical challenges that the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation faces. The AsiaPacific region faces complicated and interrelated challenges. With the world’s most vast and diverse landscape, the region houses long-standing political, economic, and ethnic/tribal tensions and conflicts, in the midst of diverse religious beliefs. Our region is the least evangelised, yet we are hopeful the church is growing. Being the cradle of all of the world’s major religions, many of our member body churches face constant religious persecution and severe oppression. Our region also experiences serious and recurring natural disasters and human-made catastrophes and adversities.

The evolving dynamics in the region demand continued attention and collaborative efforts to address the multifaceted issues faced by communities and churches in this diverse and expansive area.

In 2019, the APBF Executive Committee, together with her partners, commenced the launch and implementation of the Asia Pacific Holistic Transformation Strategy (APHTS), based on the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. In August 2021, aligned with the vision and mission of APBF, the APHTS was launched as the official strategy of approach to mission, making a statement of commitment to this effect at the leadership summit of APBF members. https://apbf.org/about/holistic-transformation-statement/

"to generate a movement of Baptist conventions and churches along with her partners to be equipped and able to work in coordination across Asia Pacific nations, holistically demonstrating the compassionate heart of Christ restoring hope and Shalom, rebuilding a future for those unreached, vulnerable and marginalised communities and those also affected by natural or man-made disasters.".

APBF desires to see this vision of Holistic Transformation that was outlined as a strategic approach grow into becoming a regional movement for Holistic Transformation. The ExeCom in January 2024 therefore unanimously affirmed the Holistic Transformation as a core value by the incorporation of this approach into the core statements of the APBF, sharpening the mission statement to read, "Network, Collaborate and Equip Baptists for a holistic transformation movement to fulfil the Great Commission."

IV. Overview of Consultation:

The Bible as the story of God’s mission from creation to new creation was the foundation of our consultation. Christ is central in all things, and we are invited to participate in his redemption of all things. In particular, this includes the restoration of relationship with God, within ourselves, with our communities, and with God’s creation. We were given a fresh insight into how Jesus brings out this call to Holistic Transformation and paradigm of mission in the Great Commission.

We explored models of Holistic Transformation and approaches to mission; we examined some practical examples of how Holistic Transformation applies to specific needs in our various contexts; and we sought to identify the core elements of what theological training in Holistic Transformation would look like within our training institutions.

TEAM participants greatly enjoyed fellowship and being together, sharing stories that encouraged us to see how God is at work around the Asia Pacific. We were enriched by bringing together theological educators and practitioners from various countries and languages, recognising we need more conversations like this, where we learnt from and were enriched by one another’s experiences.

V. Lessons Learnt:

Our role in Holistic Transformation: We don’t apply the Bible to our lives, rather we apply ourselves to the Bible, participating in God’s holistic mission. The Bible is not just content to share, but an invitation to be in God’s story as actors, not spectators. The HTM is at its heart joining with God in his redemptive plan to transform communities.

Role of churches in Holistic Transformation: Churches need to understand and embrace the fullness of the gospel, which is not just forgiveness from sin, but also includes restoration of all relationships and all creation. It balances both words and needs, and must be acted upon in our Asia Pacific context, not just talked about. Churches must not be focused on maintenance of what they have, we need to allow the fullness of the gospel to transform us as well.

Role of Theological Formation: We must be intentional and motivated to both teach and practice Holistic Transformation in our churches and our seminaries, with a shared commitment to address both physical and spiritual needs in a comprehensive, united method. It must be inculcated and integrated as an approach to teaching and equipping seminary students, but it must also be made accessible to all church members. Teaching this whole gospel can expel wrong teachings in our time.

Connecting with the community: When we practice Holistic Transformation, the church will be relevant to its community based on Christ’s teaching, and in places where the church is marginalised, it may be able to better connect with an otherwise hostile community.

Context: Holistic Transformation as a means to engage church with community is not just about contextualising existing ideas or programs, but developing context-based ways of learning and creating. We need to share stories of this in practice to encourage one another, but not seek to copy these, but rather apply the tool in our own context.

Collaborative Strategies: Awakening potential within the church and community is key to all community transformation. We can share technical help about the various programmes that carry the vision of the HTM across our conventions, with skills and knowledge we have learned. A tool to practice Holistic Transformation for lasting community change is Church Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP) as transformation only comes when local churches draw out the resources God has placed within them.

VI. Recommendations:

Partnership & Collaboration: We need meaningful collaboration between theological education institutions, mission organisations, and churches to prepare God’s people to live out the gospel and see communities transformed.

Theological education: This remains important, as healthy churches need healthy trained pastors, but it needs to be reproducible so it can move into new areas and equip churches in practice. We need to equip all church members to think theologically about the needs and opportunities in their context and how the gospel speaks into them.

Story Telling: We need to encourage more good stories of God moving when church and community come together. As we share examples from our own contexts, we are listening to the Holy Spirit.

VII. Conclusion:

“Let’s not fit God into our mission but ask God where we can fit in his great mission”.

We, the participants and partners in our time together at the APBF TEAM consultation themed “Holistic Transformation - Living God's Story in the Next Decade'' commit ourselves to the vision of Holistic Transformation and the collaborative insights gained through our recent consultation. Recognising the Bible as the narrative of God's mission from creation to new creation, we affirm that Christ is central in all things and that we are invited to participate actively in His redemptive work.

Our Commitment:

To embrace the Bible not merely as content to be shared but as a living invitation to join God's story as proactive actors, engaging in the holistic mission to transform communities.

To understand the fullness of the gospel and embody it within our churches, acknowledging that the Lordship of Christ encompasses not only forgiveness from sin but also the restoration of all relationships - between God and us, within ourselves, between ourselves and each other, and between us and all creation.

To integrate Holistic Transformation into our theological education, so that it is taught and practiced with intentionality and motivation, addressing physical, environmental, social and spiritual needs.

To connect with our communities authentically, embodying God’s presence and His love, especially during experiences of marginalisation.

To innovate methods of learning and practices that are context-based, sharing our stories of the HTM to inspire one another while developing tools for our unique contexts.

To awaken the potential within our churches and communities, sharing technical knowledge and skills that support the vision of the HTM, and recognising that true transformation arises when local churches leverage the giftings and resources God has placed within them.

Our Actions:

We will foster meaningful collaboration among churches, conventions, theological education institutions, and mission organisations to equip God's people for living out the gospel and achieving community transformation.

We will share and celebrate stories of God's movement in uniting church and community, listening to the Holy Spirit, and encouraging one another through our experiences.

In making this commitment, we pledge to uphold these principles and actions, striving for a holistic and transformative approach that reflects the transformative power of the gospel in our own lives and in our surrounding communities and beyond.

Members of the Drafting Committee:
Mr. Roshan Mendis, (Chair), Dr. Rachael Tan, Rev Dr Melinda Cousins, Rev Dr Choon Sam, Dr Dipak Rai, Mr Rei Crizaldo,Rev. Ardi Wiriadinata, and Rev. Dr. Vee Tetseo, General Secretary, APBF, Ex-officio Member.

Please view full statement at this link.