Links Asia Running the Race and Embracing the New

This October, some of the Links team had the privilege of travelling to Southern Asia to minister alongside pastors and partners from across the continent. The trip centred around two significant gatherings: a Pastors' Conference organised by Amen Trust, an associate ministry of Links’, attended by around 150 church leaders and following this, our inaugural Links Asia Partners Summit, bringing together representatives from the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan. Together, these events marked an important milestone in the launch of the new Links Asia Hub and the continued growth of our regional network.

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The pastors' conference was built around the theme"Running the Race", drawing inspiration from Hebrews 12:1-2 and the great "hall of faith" described in Hebrews 11. Over several sessions, we explored how the men and women of faith who have gone before us now inspire and encourage us as we impact our generation. Messages focused on four key themes: becoming laid-down lovers of Jesus, investing in future generations, cultivating lives of worship and praise, and embracing lives fully surrendered to God. The response from pastors, who come from extremely difficult circumstances of poverty and persecution, was deeply encouraging as leaders were refreshed, challenged and commissioned afresh for the race set before them.

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The Partner’s Summit followed under the theme, “Behold, I Do a New Thing" from Isaiah 43 and the idea of ‘stretching out’ our faith, from Isaiah 54:1-2. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity to cast vision for Links Asia, strengthen relationships and explore innovative approaches to mission and community development. Partners shared stories of their work, learned from one another's experiences and engaged with new ideas, including the use of emerging technologies, mental health resources and trauma counselling tools. The atmosphere was filled with faith, collaboration and expectation for what God is doing across the region.

As we look ahead, we are excited to see how these strengthened connections, shared resources and fresh vision will continue to flourish, bearing fruit throughout Asia in the months and years to come.