First Asia-Oceania Charismatic Leaders Conference to Ignite Cebu
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CHARIS Continental Coordinators and Asia-Oceania Youth will gather for the 1st Charismatic Leaders Conference in Cebu, Philippines, on July 27 and 28.
With the theme, “You Will Be My Witnesses,” CHARIS Continental coordinators and youth representatives from Asia-Oceania will meet for the first time, to share experiences about how the Holy Spirit has moved and is moving them in their respective communities and countries.
Southeast Asia and Oceania countries include Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, and several small island states in the South Pacific Ocean, like Samoa.
Cebu is fortunate to host the 1st Charismatic Leaders Conference, according to CHARIS Philippines coordinator Fe Barino, as previous national and international charismatic conferences have taken place in Manila.
Barino, a team member of CHARIS Continental Services of Communion, along with Filipino lay leader Raymond Daniel Cruz, Jr., expressed her excitement about the Asia-Oceania youth gathering. She noted that the youth have captivated the world with their talents and passion, which are evident in their style of worship, music, and participation in charismatic-led activities.
Cebu is home to approximately 50 charismatic communities, including Couples for Christ, one of the world's largest charismatic groups. The upcoming Charismatic Leaders Conference will be hosted by CFC.
More than 2,000 charismatic leaders, spiritual directors, and diocesan coordinators from all over the Philippines are expected to attend the two-day event at the International Convention Center IC3 in Cebu City.
As their conference goes underway, the youth and CHARIS continental coordinators will step out of the Cebu Quincentennial Hotel to join the gathering of charismatic leaders and spiritual directors to share and engage them in panel discussions.
Ms. Barino hopes that the conversation with the CHARIS Continental visitors will be “an opportunity to learn from each other and a channel for the flow of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
Featured speakers include Filipino theologian Moses Jarvis Catan and CHARIS Asia-Oceania team member Raymond Daniel Cruz, Jr.
On Day 2 (July 28, 2024), renowned international speakers Shayne Bennet, CHARIS Asia-Oceania Coordinator, and Cyril John, CHARIS International Coordinator and Head of Intercession Commission, will take action.
The Holy Spirit will baptize the delegates in the afternoon. The conference will conclude with a Eucharistic celebration with Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, episcopal adviser to Charis Philippines, presiding.
The 1st National Charismatic Leaders Conference in July kicks off the 1st Charismatic National Conference in October 4-6, an event open to all charismatic communities.
Barino hopes that the twin conferences will strengthen diverse charismatic groups united in the service of the Church.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.