The 3rd annual AIIAS Asian Theological Society (AATS) Forum began today, June 12, at AIIAS. This two-day event’s theme is “Making Disciples: Opportunities and Challenges of Developing Faithful Disciples in Asia.” Participants came from across the country and across borders.
In his opening remarks, the president of AATS, Pastor Chuanshan Liang, explained, “Asia has the most complicated religious and cultural situation in the world, and the Christian mission within this continent is seriously challenged by various unreached peoples and the strongest resistance to Christianity.”
From the beginning, AATS has aimed at tackling these issues among others and also to facilitate, develop and nurture the theological fervor among the Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Asia.
Dr. Paoring Ragui, vice president for student services and public relations at AIIAS, expressed his gratitude, “We are very proud of our students and faculty members who put so much effort into creating such a great program that directly impacts the mission work in Asia.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Julio Conrdero Amurao, is the Dean of the School of Theology of the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) and has extensive experience in mission.
Because AIIAS is located at the heart of the 10/40 window, a geographical region where a majority of humans live and Christianity is scarce, it is a suitable location for such a discussion. The forum provides a platform for academic research and discussion to help solve the issues dealing with reaching the people specifically in the Asian context. Students, faculty members, and other scholars are encouraged to present their research.
By: Bruce Sumendap
AIIAS Public Relations Director
