Continuing previous meetings, representatives of Bible institutes and the Catholic Church met in Penang, Malaysia on July 17-19, 2024. The meeting was attended by 30 participants from: India, Indonesia, Philipines, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. Also from the UBS China Partnership, Cardinal Sebastian Fransis of Penang, Bishop Rene of the Philippines, Bishop S. Jayanathan of India, and Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching.

The purpose of the three-day meeting was to strengthen the synergistic partnership between the World Communion of Biblical Societies (UBS) and Catholic Church structures in the Asia Pacific region. In particular, the Come and Follow Me movement was discussed by extending the reach of the "Identity:Identified" book both in English and adapted into the languages of the respective ministry areas of the Bible Societies.

Locally, the Indonesian adaptation is the first to reach young Catholics (OMK) in all 37 dioceses in Indonesia. The launch took place at the end of December 2023. This year the book Identity: Identified will soon be published in Tagalog Filipino, and Vietnamese.

The discussion also evolved towards preparing the product to reach out to young non-Catholics from different backgrounds of church traditions.

The meeting concluded with an ecumenical service served and led by the host, Cardinal Sebastian Fansis and Rev. Mathew Purnuose Sekum Lembaga Alkitab Malaysia. In his homily, Cardinal Sebastian Fansis emphasized three main points. First, the focus of our ministry is to spread the Good News, and the priority of our ministry is the youth. Second, let us tell the story of Jesus to as many people as possible. In Asia, most people love to listen to stories and love to tell stories. Third, let us whisper the story of Jesus. To our friends and close friends, whispering is an effective way to share our testimony.

On Sunday July 21, 2024 in the morning and evening worship services, LAI was given time to present the ministry program and the New Translation Bible 2nd Edition (TB-2) in two places: (1) Bethel Church Malaysia   House of Hope, Selangor Malaysia, and (2) Indonesian Language Christian Church at Jl Raja Chulan, Kualalumpur Malaysia.  All the congregants were very happy and hoped to get TB-2 Bibles soon. LAI will synergize with the Malaysian Bible Institute to meet the needs of Christians in Malaysia. (ST)