Liberated by God's Grace – to Serve, Unite, Love

Assembly Theme Liberates Young Asians

A call to Serve

Young people representing 54 member churches of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Asia with their many gifts are convinced that they are called to serve their neighbors as God's co-workers regardless of race, color and creed. A living and authentic testimony is important in a globalized world that is fast moving, ignoring the need of one's neighbor.

Sikiom Sagenan Kisku Pollob from Bangladesh says that he is liberated to be among friends and to live selflessly, for it is selfishness that creates greed that in turn takes grace for granted. He strongly feels that grace that liberates should be reflected in our daily life—for him it is serving the needs of poorer youths in Bangladesh.

A call to Unite

“Faith is a fairly important part of our life as Asian youths. At a time when religious tension is on the rise in some parts of Asia, “Liberated by God’s grace” brings in a new fresh opportunity,” says Milka Dwi Nofrianti Harefa from Indonesia. She adds, “The fact that I am freed by God's grace, his grace empowers me to initiate unity and tolerance with my fellow countrymen. Young delegates from Asia are convinced and inspired that it is easier to unite with other young people in their context to build each other, to take responsibility for the other, for a country's future lies in the hands of its youth and their perspective of the other.”

A call to Love

“Faith is related to identity, in my understanding “Liberated by God's grace” is not just our decision; faith is a gift granted by God. So in my opinion, faith is both personal and communal, and I hope that young people around the globe will experience God's grace that liberates through the love that I share,” says David Yeung Hok Chi from Hong Kong.

Krutika Priyadarshni Mohanthy from India feels the need to engage with the Dalit community, “People in my context do not believe that one is saved by faith through God's grace—one has to offer something; without offering, one cannot attain salvation. On the contrary, I want to offer them the love of Christ.”

David Yeung Hok Chi further adds, “I'm willing to struggle with others. We are not alone, God is with us.” It is then right to say that love struggles to eradicate any form of exploitation and violation and establishes the fact that God's grace truly liberates.

Steven Lawrence, LWF Regional Officer for Asia