South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance"

Introduction to the South Asian Forum

The South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance (SAF) is a new grouping within the Evangelical Alliance, set up to provide a forum for South Asian Christians in the UK to encourage, support and equip each other for mission, and to represent their concerns to Government, media and the wider Church.

There are around 75,000 South Asian Christians in the UK, representing the eight countries of South Asia* and a range of languages and ethnic backgrounds.

As a 'minority within a minority' they need a voice to respond quickly and with unity to issues, for example pressure on Christians in Pakistan and the on-going fragility of the country, persecution of some Indian Christians, or the intense suffering caused by the divisions in Sri Lanka.

In response the Evangelical Alliance has set up the South Asian Forum, as an integral part of the larger Alliance but with its own officers and steering group.

Members of SAF - churches, individuals, organizations, networks - will also be members of the Alliance, with a proportion of their donations allocated to the development of SAF

Manoj Raithatha, the National Coordinator, shares the vision:

"We want to draw people - especially South Asians - to the knowledge and love of Jesus, so they can live joyful and purpose driven lives in relationship with the Lord our God. We all have a part in this. We want to build relationships with leaders across Asian and non-Asian churches, and to win the support of churches throughout the country, so we can work collectively to encourage and equip each other for mission. We are keen to support existing networks by helping with media links and wider connections."

Evangelical Alliance Press Release - Christian Today Article

Krish Kandiah, the Alliance's Executive Director: Churches in Mission, comments.

"The South Asian Forum of Evangelical Alliance has been formed out of our passion to unite around the Gospel and reach out in mission. Our disunity dishonours Christ and undermines our message of the Gospel. We are intended to give the world a taste of the unity of heaven, where people from every different background will be together."

*Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
(These countries are members of SAARC - the South Asia Association for Regional Co-operation).
Photo credit Nishi Sharma, Interserve

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