CCA observes Asia Sunday-2026 with a focus on hope for the redemption of groaning creation

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

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18 May 2026

Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) member churches and councils across Asia observed Asia Sunday-2026 on 17 May under the theme “Hope for Redemption of Groaning Creation Amidst Bondage to Decay”, reflecting on hope, renewal, and God’s promise for creation amidst suffering and brokenness.

The CCA General Secretariat joined the Asia Sunday worship service at the Wunpawng Christian Church, a Myanmar (Kachin) diaspora congregation in Chiang Mai, Thailand. More than 500 people attended the worship service.

Pastor Henry Bau La Doi of the Wunpawng Christian Church delivered the sermon “Hope in the Midst of Groaning,” based on Romans 8:19–23.

He emphasised that suffering is a universal reality affecting both humanity and creation, arising from the brokenness brought about by sin. While life is marked by pain, sickness, conflict, uncertainty, and environmental destruction, Christians are called to remain hopeful and faithful, trusting in God’s promise of restoration through Christ.

The sermon highlighted that suffering is temporary and that God is preparing a future of renewal beyond present hardships.

Pastor Henry Bau La Doi also stressed that caring for the earth is a spiritual responsibility, echoing the words of German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, who emphasised that God’s salvation extends not only to humanity but to all creation, calling Christians to work for justice, peace, compassion, and healing in the world.

CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara conveyed greetings and appreciation for organising the Asia Sunday worship with members of the Kachin diaspora community in Chiang Mai, noting the CCA’s longstanding relationship with churches in Myanmar as well as the diaspora communities from Myanmar.

Dr Chunakara also reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Myanmar, stating that the CCA and its constituencies remain united in concern and prayer for the country.

Photos of the Asia Sunday-2026 observance in Chiang Mai: