Christian leaders representing mission networks across Latin America, Africa, and Asia have urged Majority World churches and agencies to develop self-sustaining missions and decrease their dependence on external financial backing, validation, and training structures. The call was issued following COALA 4.0, the fourth major gathering of the Christ Over Asia, Latin America and Africa network, which met in Singapore from Oct. 5 to 7, christiandaily.com reported.
Singapore Statement Establishes Polycentric Mission Principles
The newly released Singapore Statement sets out definitions and principles across three distinct areas: sustainability, missionary training, and South-South collaboration. The preamble notes that many Majority World mission leaders received training in the West or continue relying on regular Western financial and institutional support. While expressing gratitude for past contributions, the document warns that this legacy sustains unequal influence and power by Western organizations unless changed beyond token acts.
The network responds by advocating for polycentric mission built on mutual resourcing and horizontal accountability. On sustainability, the statement defines successful ministries as those locally led, resourced, and multiplied without critical dependency on foreign support. One of its principles urges movements to move away from systemic reliance on regular foreign funding and structural approval while remaining open to gifts from other regions.
Four Memorandums Signed on Final Day
Four memorandums of understanding were signed on Oct. 7, the final day of the gathering. The Singapore Centre for Global Missions signed agreements with the Indonesian Alliance for World Mission (ALUSIA) and another mission organization, while the Korea World Missions Association signed an agreement with ALUSIA. A fourth multilateral agreement brought together SCGM, KWMA, ALUSIA, the Movement for African National Initiatives, and another mission organization.
Paul Noh, COALA’s international secretary, announced that practical projects under these agreements would begin immediately. KWMA offered to introduce missionaries coming to South Korea to local churches, while SCGM planned annual meetings with regional mission leaders in Southeast Asia. Jonas Kang, COALA’s chairman and general secretary of KWMA, described the approach as local-led partnership mission, where sending organizations place missionaries to work directly with local churches.
Did you know? COALA was formed in South Korea in 2023 as a network uniting national and regional Majority World mission movements, holding subsequent gatherings in Bangkok, Busan, and Panama before meeting in Singapore.
Regional Gatherings Replace 2027 Global Meeting
Noh announced that COALA will not hold a global gathering in 2027, shifting instead to regional and national meetings to widen participation. Three regional meetings are scheduled for next year: Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept. 23-24, hosted by ALUSIA; Fiji on Nov. 10-12, hosted by Mission Interlink New Zealand; and Taipei, Taiwan, on Nov. 17-19, hosted by the Global Chinese Missions Association.
Additionally, the Singapore assembly established four specialized committees focused on South-South collaboration, the role of diaspora groups in missions, cultural relevance and local church autonomy, alongside youth and women’s leadership. Opening the conference, Patrick Fung of OMF International suggested that Majority World educators collaborate through routine video conferences, swap instructors across geographic areas, and hold a follow-up consultation within 24 months.
Frequently Asked Questions About COALA 4.0
How many participants attended the Singapore gathering?
A communique released with the statement showed 76 participants from 25 Majority World countries attended the event, alongside 24 local leaders from Singapore.
What are the alternative financial models suggested for mission work?
The statement lists local church support, bi-vocational work, and business-based models among possible paths to achieve financial independence from foreign institutional funding.
When and where was the first COALA-linked memorandum signed?
The first COALA-linked memorandum was signed in 2025 between the Latin American mission movement COMIBAM and an Asian mission group following a gathering in Panama.