Mission of Conference

The Challenges of Ministering to Baptist Youth in the Asia Pacific

President's words

The Asia Pacific Baptist Youth Fellowship (APBYF) is a loose organization of  Baptist Youth in various churches and Baptist groups under the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation.  Once every four or five years, we come together for a gathering called the APBY Conference.  Our aim is  to promote fellowship, be inspired and instructed on  issues relevant to us,  and to be challenged to respond to various needs of young people in our region.

This coming December 27-30, 2009, we will again converge for the 15th APBY Conference.  The Baptist Convention of Hong Kong has accepted the challenge to be our host and  the theme we have chosen is "Soar Higher!" based on Isa. 40:30-31.  Most of us in the executive committee feel that this will help us gain new inspiration and strength to face the various challenges we face in our region.

The Asia Pacific Region includes about sixty-five percent or two thirds of the world's population. Thus, our cultures  are as varied as the geographical features of  the Himalayas, the sand dunes of Mongolia , the reefs and atolls of the South Pacific isles, and the deserts of Australia . Thus besides the global economic crisis and fluctuating currency exchange rates, we are also concerned about issues closer to home such as: alcohol and substance abuse, child labor, HIV, trafficking of women and children, civilian conflict, extreme poverty and hunger; to recurring natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis,  as well as coup d' tats, mass protests, and other forms of social unrest.

Just how do Christian young people and youth ministers live in the midst these situations?  This is indeed a good starting point for discussions.  Due to the vastness of our needs and the limits of our resources, we can do best by starting with the needs in our immediate community, while at the same time praying for our fellow young people to 'catch the vision' and do something in their own situation. 

As revered Asian philosopher Lao Tzu said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
By tending to street children, orphans, inmates, refugees, or widows and other neglected people in our own neighborhoods, we can make our region and the world a better place in which to live  in ... feeding one hungry mouth, setting one captive free, healing one ailing body ... one simple life at a time.  

This will be a long and tiring journey.  The only way we can cope, is by holding on to God's promises in Isa 40:30-31.  Together, we encourage you to join us in this conference and "Soar Higher" in serving Him!