The Asia Conference on Church & Mission (ACCM) 2026 concluded on Thursday evening in Alabang, Metro Manila, with church leaders highlighting a stronger shift from discussion to practical action in disciple-making across Asia.
Dr Bambang Budijanto, General Secretary of the Asia Evangelical Alliance, said the gathering marked a clear step forward in a growing regional movement that has developed over the past two years. Speaking after the event, he noted that national church alliances are now more united in their shared focus on discipleship.
He explained that earlier meetings helped leaders build a common understanding, but the Manila conference, titled “Disciple or Die 3.0”, focused strongly on implementation rather than further discussion.
More than 200 delegates from 25 countries attended the event, which was presented as a turning point from planning to action.
Budijanto said the latest conference stood out because it concentrated on how churches can put discipleship into practice rather than only discussing ideas. He added that national alliance leaders showed strong agreement on moving forward with a shared plan, describing a growing sense of unity and readiness to act.
During leadership discussions, seven key areas were outlined to guide the movement in the coming years. These include maintaining momentum through annual regional gatherings, encouraging national-level vision events, and developing structured training programmes for churches.
The training model is designed to equip church leaders, youth mentors, and those involved in family discipleship. It is expected to be rolled out across several countries over the next few years.
Other priorities include providing resources, improving ways to measure progress, encouraging churches at different stages of development, and strengthening cooperation through shared systems such as “DCAR” (Disciple-making Church Advancement Record).
Budijanto emphasised that national church alliances must not only coordinate activities but also actively model disciple-making themselves. He said real change must begin within leadership structures before it can spread effectively to local churches. Without this, he warned, efforts risk becoming administrative rather than spiritually transformative.
He also acknowledged that delivering the plan across many countries will require strong capacity and cooperation. The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches has committed to helping train leaders as part of the rollout.
Looking ahead, Budijanto expressed hope that around 5,000 churches could be recognised next year as actively engaging in disciple-making progress, with a longer-term vision reaching up to 100,000 churches across Asia.
He said the goal is not only numerical growth but also healthier churches that strengthen families and communities. He emphasised that church, family, and leadership health are closely connected, and each influences the other.
The ACCM 2026 was organised by the Asia Evangelical Alliance in partnership with the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, and hosted by Greenhills Christian Fellowship South Metro in Alabang, Metro Manila.
The conference was followed by the International Disciple Making Conference, which brought together around 800 Filipino church leaders for further training and discussions on local church discipleship.
Budijanto concluded that the movement’s future will depend on whether leaders return home ready to put disciple-making into practice within their own churches and communities.
Based on reporting by Christian Daily International.
