Arise Asia 2026 Congress in Manila urges Christian youth to embrace joy and digital mission

The Arise Asia 2026 Congress convened in Manila, Philippines, on July 28‑29, gathering around 4,000 young Christians from 50 countries. Patrick Fung, chair of Arise Asia’s Global Board and director emeritus of OMF International, opened the third morning session by emphasizing that joy and suffering coexist for followers of Christ. Citing passages from Hebrews, Acts, and James, he warned that the greatest threats to the church come from within and urged delegates to view trials as a source of steadfastness.

Later, Ricky Kim, a former Korean‑American actor turned digital‑missions director for One Hope, addressed the same audience. He challenged participants to consider how their online consumption shapes what they share, describing digital platforms as a new battlefield for the gospel. Kim shared his personal story of loss, foster care, and a career shift to missions, urging young believers to integrate their faith into the digital spaces they inhabit.