Christian Conference of Asia Records

Collection

Call Number: RG 237

Scope and Contents

This collection provides extensive valuable documentation of the development of ecumenical Christianity in Asia from the mid-20th century through the early 2000s. The East Asia Christian Conference, formed in 1957 and renamed Christian Conference of Asia in 1973, grew out of earlier efforts of the International Missionary Council and World Council of Churches to support and encourage the development of Christian churches and Asian Christian leaders in Asia. From its foundation, the Christian Conference of Asia has focused on mission, leadership development, ecumenical relationships, and issues of social justice in Asia.

The records are valuable for their documentation of the organizational development of ecumenical Christianity in Asia but also for the insight they provide on a wide variety of social issues in Asia such as development, health, refugees, disabilities, gender, globalization, labor, and other social justice issues. Because CCA networked with so many other religious organizations in Asia and throughout the world, this collection provides valuable insight on the worldwide ecumenical movement throughout the last half of the 20th century.

A large and complex archive, the records in this collection migrated with the CCA throughout Asia as the organization had its headquarters in various countries. The offices and program desks of the CCA were somewhat decentralized and often kept parallel records so there is some overlap and duplication in the archival record. Some records had been compiled and described by the organization in previous years while other similar records were completely unorganized. An effort has been made to rationalize the structure of the archives according to CCA's various leaders, program units, and functions, but it is recommended that the researcher use keyword searching of the finding aid to locate all materials related to any particular event,issue, or person.

Note that many pamphlets and books published by the Christian Conference in Asia are in the Yale Divinity Library's cataloged collection rather than in this archival collection. A search for Christian Conference in Asia as "Publisher" in Orbis results in nearly 200 hits.

For additional description of the history and program activities of the CCA, see From Prapat to Colombo : history of the Christian Conference of Asia (1957-1995) by Yap Kim Hao, and other works in the Library's cataloged collection. The website of the CCA also provides historical information about the organization and a valuable listing of its leaders and staff members over the years: http://cca.org.hk/home/cca-history/.

Dates

1946 - 2008

Creator

Christian Conference of Asia

Language of Materials

In English .

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Christian Conference of Asia

Arrangement

I. Organization and Policy Records
II. Administrative Records
III. General Secretary / Associate General Secretary Files
IV. Program Areas / Activities
V. Publications
VI. CCA Assemblies / Conferences
VII. Related Organizations / Conferences
VIII. Audio-Visual Materials
IX. Financial Records

Extent

182 Linear Feet (182 boxes)

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/divinity.237

Additional Description

Overview

These are the official archives of the Christian Conference of Asia, a regional ecumenical organization representing church councils and denominations in Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand. The CCA began as the East Asia Christian Conference in 1957 and changed its name to Christian Conference of Asia in 1973.

Biographical / Historical

1947: At the International Missionary Council meeting at Whitby, East Asian delegates suggested a conference to plan for an Asian office.
1949: Eastern Asia Christian Conference held in Bangkok.
1951: Rajah B. Manikam appointed as Joint Secretary for East Asia for the International Missionary Council (IMC) and World Council of Churches (WCC).
1954: Asia Council on Ecumenical Mission (ACEM) formed.
1957: IMC, WCC, and ACEM came together at Prapat, Indonesia for constituting assembly of the East Asia Christian Conference "The Common Evangelistic Task of the Churches in East Asia."
1959: 2nd General Assembly of East Asia Christian Conference (EACC) held at Kuala Lumpur - "Witnessing Together."
1959-1964: Dr. D. T. Niles served as General Secretary.
1964: 3rd General Assembly of EACC held in Bangkok - "The Christian Community within the Human Community"
1968: 4th General Assembly of EACC held in Bangkok - "In Christ All Things Hold Together."
1968-1973: Mr. U Kyaw Than served as General Secretary.
1973: 5th General Assembly held in Singapore - "Christian Action in the Asian Struggle." Name of organization changed to Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).
1973-1985: Rt. Rev. Dr. Yap Kim Hao served as General Secretary.
1974: Asia Sunday instituted. Singapore office opened.
1976: First Asian Ecumenical Center event held, later known as Asia Ecumenical Course.
1977: 6th General Assembly held in Penang - "Jesus Christ in Asian Suffering and Hope."
1981: 7th General Assembly held in Bangalore - "Living with Christ in People."
1982: Ecumenical Council on Third World Tourism set up.
1985: 8th General Assembly held in Seoul - "Jesus Christ Sets Free to Serve." Indonesian churches withdraw from active participation in CCA.
1985-1990: Rev. Dr. Park Sang Jung served as General Secretary.
1987: CCA expelled from Singapore.
1988: CCA staff dispersed to Osaka, Hong Kong, Manila, and Chiang Mai.
1989: Asian Mission Conference, Indonesia.
1990: 9th General Assembly held in Manila - "Christ Our Peace: Building a Just Society." Indonesian churches re-activate CCA membership.
1990-1995: Rt. Rev. John Samuel served as General Secretary.
1991: Land purchased in Hong Kong for new CCA center
1993: CCA Center at Shatin dedicated. Conferences held: Asian Students and Youth Gathering, Asian Church Leaders' Conference on Migrant Workers, Refugees, Internally Displace Communities in Asia (MRIA)
1994: Asian Mission Conference, Korea
1995: 10th General Assembly held in Colombo - "Hope in God in a Changing Asia." Proposal towards new thrust and new structures. Asian Church Leaders' Conference on Indochina.
1995 June - December: Rev. Dr. Toshitsugu Arai served as Acting General Secretary.
1996-2000: Dr. Feliciano V. Carino served as General Secretary.
1996: Joint effort with Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC): Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU). First CCA program in China (Youth).
1997: Formation of Congress of Asian Theologians.
2000: 11th General Assembly held in Tomohon - "Time of Fullness of Life for All"
2000 June -2005 July: Dr. Ahn Jae Woong served as General Secretary.
2005: 12th General Assembly held in Chiang Mai - "Building Communities of Peace for All."
2005 August - 2010 July: Dr. Prawate Khidard served as General Secretary.
2006: CCA office moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai.
2010: 13th General Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur - "Called to Prophesy, Reconcile and Heal."
2010 August - 2015 July: Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang served as General Secretary.
2015: 14th General Assembly held in Jakarta.
2015 August: Mathews George Chunakara appointed General Secretary.