CCA calls for prayers and solidarity following devastating earthquake in eastern Indonesia

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

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17 August 2026

Picture credit: BASARNAS

Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has expressed deep sorrow following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia on 15 August 2026, causing widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement across East Nusa Tenggara Province.

According to reports, at least 53 people have lost their lives so far, hundreds have been injured, and thousands have been displaced as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

CCA General Secretary Rev. Jung Eun Grace Moon, expressing solidarity and condolences, said, “In this time of anguish, we grieve with all those who mourn the tragic loss of life and the immense suffering caused by this devastating earthquake. The Christian Conference of Asia stands in solidarity with the people of Indonesia and prays for God’s comforting presence with the bereaved, strength for emergency responders, and healing for the injured.”

The powerful earthquake struck at a shallow depth off the coast of Flores Island, approximately 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported that the earthquake was caused by movement along the Flores Back-Arc Thrust fault system and initially prompted tsunami warnings. Tremors were felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of southern Sulawesi.

Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid difficult conditions caused by landslides, damaged infrastructure, and ongoing aftershocks. The hardest-hit areas include Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo regencies, where access has been severely disrupted.

CCA member churches in the affected region, including the Protestant Evangelical Church in Timor (GMIT), together with the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), have responded swiftly by mobilising relief assistance, coordinating emergency support, and working through church networks and ecumenical partners to reach affected communities.

Rev. Moon stated, “We call on CCA member churches, national councils, and ecumenical partners to uphold the affected communities in prayer and to accompany them with timely relief, compassionate presence, and support for recovery and rebuilding. As the immediate emergency response continues, let us stand alongside the people and churches of Indonesia in solidarity. We pray for wisdom and strength for all those engaged in relief and recovery efforts, and for the resources needed to restore lives and communities. May God’s protective hand remain upon the people of Indonesia and sustain them with strength, comfort, and hope in the days ahead”.