Former general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), Bishop Dr Yap Kim Hao, passed away in Singapore on Nov. 16.
The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) grieves the loss of Hao, the great leader whose pioneering work in many fields will always be acknowledged for the practical expressions of ecumenism and Christ's love.
NCCI noted in a statement that Hao was immensely involved in field works with the marginalized, the oppressed, the minorities and those whom the society dejected.
The church body also said that his ideal work that will continue to inspire those who newly come to faith, and grace for an effective and holistic ministry.
Hao (1929 – 2017), after serving as a Methodist pastor in Malaysia and Singapore, was appointed as the first Asian Bishop of the Methodist Church for the two cities from 1968 to 1973. He was appointed as the General Secretary of the CCA between 1973 and 1985 and was directly associated with works involving social justice issues, ministering to the backward and oppressed in the region.
Hao also served as the Pastoral Advisor of the Free Community Church, which reckons many LGBT Christians in its congregation.
