Asia: Diaconal workshop highlights best practices

Hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand, the event focused on strengthening local churches for mission

(LWI) - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand (ELCT) in Bangkok hosted a recent diaconal workshop for the Asia region, focused on strengthening the capacity of local churches for holistic mission. Bishop Boonmee Jarupong welcomed participants to the event which brought together 35 diaconal practitioners and pastors from 23 LWF member churches across 12 countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Entitled 'Diakonia in Context: Empowering people in need through Faith and Service', the 25 to 28 March workshop provided a dynamic platform for participants to share their experiences and insights on topics including gender justice, child safeguarding and protection, provision of social services for prisoners and their families, support for people on the move, and the role of Churches in Communion.

A key goal of the meeting was to establish diaconal networks across Asia to share experiences and enhance collaboration among churches in the region. Participants stressed the need for further training in Lutheran identity, spiritual formation and practical diaconal ministry, including in some of the many local languages. They strongly emphasized the need to include more thematic areas, such as mental health and child rights, for future workshops. They also suggested the development of a curriculum for diakonia suitable for theological seminary and colleges of Asian churches.

Transforming young lives through sports, music, education

Participants visited three projects in Bangkok which are making a big difference to the lives of people in need. The Home of Praise, run by the ELCT, works to improve the quality of life for children and young people by providing scholarships for underprivileged families, organizing after-school activities and supporting mothers with young children.

The House of Blessing Foundation also works with children and young people, providing support especially for prisoners and those recently released from detention. For over 23 years, it has been offering pastoral care and a variety of activities including sports, music and educational programs to transform lives and enable former detainees to reintegrate into society.

Another diaconal project which is transforming lives of young people in Bangkok through the power of music is the Music for Life Foundation, offering individual tuition, as well as university scholarships and the experience of playing in an orchestra for children in one of the city‘s most deprived neighborhoods.

Other member churches from across the region also shared examples of best practices that are changing lives and offering hope to people facing very serious hardship. Rev. Katariina Kiilunen, LWF’s Program Executive for Transformative Leadership commented: "This gathering not only fostered a sense of community and shared purpose but also highlighted the powerful role of faith and service in empowering communities across Asia." She noted that the workshop “offered a comprehensive learning experience through presentations, discussions, sharing experiences and site visits, with participants planning to apply their learnings in Sunday services and seminars for women, youth and pastors.”

On the closing day of the workshop, a powerful earthquake struck neighboring Myanmar causing thousands of deaths and widespread damage to a country already struggling from civil unrest and economic challenges. Buildings collapsed and several deaths were also reported in the Thai capital. Kiilunen noted that participants at the workshop had just finished their closing worship when the quake hit. “Thankfully, we were on the ground floor of the church – far safer than many of the high-rise buildings around us,” she said. LWF has released a call for action to support churches and communities affected by the quake.