Asian Missions Advance, 92 – Asia Missions Association

Asian Missions Advance Newsletter

Summer 2026 / 92nd

1. The Asian Diaspora Missions: Similar Cultures and Worldviews

According to reports by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the rising phenomenon of intraregional and interregional Asian migration represents an increasing missions opportunity for Asian churches. The author is a member of the Chinese diaspora residing in the U.S. Since 2009, she has been reaching multi-ethnic diasporas—predominantly of Asian origin—in California’s Silicon Valley…

2. Toward a Missional Approach to Children’s Spiritual Formation and Discipleship in Filipino Local Churches

[Nativity A. Petallar]

I want to build a preschool for little children!” This was the exclamation of ten-year-old Rita (not her actual name) when I asked the children in a focus group discussion what they could do to help children in their neighborhood. Another child blurted out, “I will share the Gospel with them!” Contrary to popular belief, children are not blind to the needs around them. If given the opportunity, they eagerly desire to be part of the solution to society’s ills…

3. Relational Communication and the Use and Misuse of AI

[Enoch Wan, Karen Hedinger, Mark Hedinger]

This edition of the Asia Missions Association focuses on mission trends in the world today. One of the overarching themes of our day is the presence of Large Language Models (LLMs) as a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This article will look at the use/misuse of AI in light of Christian mission’s focus on the communication of the Word of God…

4. Urban Missions As A Strategy for Implementing the Great Commission

[Olusegun Ayodeji Adegboye]

Urbanization is an emerging global phenomenon, particularly in Africa, driven by population growth, globalization, and political and socioeconomic factors. Rural areas reached by Western missionaries in the 19th century have become large city centers. Several other far-flung, remote places are becoming deserted due to rural-urban migration. Consequently, traditional mission strategies built for rural contexts are inadequate for reaching multitudes flocking to urban centers…

5. Update on International Students and Related Ministries in Asia Pacific Region

[Leiton Chinn]

The April 5, 2023 edition of the Asia Missions Advance quarterly bulletin featured a brief statistical overview of International Student mobility in the Asia-Pacific region and the wide-open door for the Church to engage in global missions and ministry among International Students. Now three years later in the Summer of 2026, we find that students from other nations, both globally and intra-regionally, continue to select the broad context of Asia as a primary destination for academic pursuits…

6. BOOK REVIEW: Are All Religions True?

[Keith Ramses E. Deloria]

The discussion around the coexistence of multiple religions has been a central topic in theology and philosophy, particularly as religious pluralism continues to gain prominence in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world. Harold A. Netland’s Are All Religions True? offers an in-depth exploration of religious diversity and Christian commitment, critically examining the implications of religious pluralism…