Formed and Sent: CTIA’s Inaugural Theological Symposium | International Graduate School of Leadership

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February 2026

Dear IGSL Family,

In May 2024, the Center for Theological Inquiry in Asia (CTIA) was launched, a theological research center that is a collaboration between IGSL and the Asia Theological Association (ATA). And on February 5-7, 2026, its inaugural Theological Symposium was held at GCF Ortigas with the theme, “Formed & Sent: Spiritual Formation and Mission.”

The three-day event brought together scholars and practitioners to discuss Asian perspectives on the connection between spiritual formation and mission. Plenary speakers Carmen Imes, PhD and Ivor Poobalan, PhD spoke on topics related to their respective expertise. Dr. Imes focused on Theological Anthropology and Human Vocation and the Sinai Covenant as a Basis for Mission, while Dr. Poobalan centered on Leadership for Pioneering Ministries in Asia and First Generation Christianity in the 21st Century. 
Formed & Sent: Spiritual Formation and Mission
CTIA's First Theological Symposium 
February 5-7, 2026
Greenhills Christian Fellowship, Ortigas
In my opening remarks for the event, I emphasized that “the church can innovate our methods to be culturally relevant, responsive to the times, but we will always remind ourselves that our mission, our mandate, and our message will forever be the same.” ATA General Secretary Dr. Theresa Lua, in welcoming participants, expressed joy in seeing younger scholars and writers actively engaged in creating much-needed, theologically and biblically sound, relevant resources for the Asian church.

Winners of the essay prize in collaboration with the ATA’s Journal of Asian Evangelical Theology also presented their articles. Among the winners are IGSL faculty member Michael Banks (“Worldview, Story and Spiritual Formation in Global Contexts: Reading Pagan Literature with Basil of Caesarea for the Redemption of the World”) and alumnus Hardian Baja Gunanta from Indonesia (“Inter-creatural Missiology: Reimagining the Mission of God in Indigenous Human-Animal Relationality Within Asian Spiritual Formation Contexts”).
In his article, Professor Banks explored “imagination as a truth-bearing faculty that is capable of virtuously molding those who have ears to hear (Matthew 11:15).” The storied approach he examined “provides fertile ground for Asian cultures in which stories, parables, and myths may more effectively communicate gospel truth than abstract models of theology.”

Hardian’s essay, reflecting on his mission work among indigenous peoples in rural communities, mainly asks, how can we prepare Christian workers for mission in Asian contexts where indigenous people value connections between humans and animals as fundamental to their spiritual formation? He contends for a more robust approach in missions by seeing “indigenous spirituality as a bridge rather than a barrier”, fostering “gospel engagement without cultural destruction”, and considering “animals as missional partners in creation-centered cultures.”

We praise God for using the CTIA in making a conducive space for scholars and practitioners to create vital resources for the Asian church. In a region as culturally, socially, and religiously diverse as Asia, contextualized theological resources are very important for nourishing the growing church as it faithfully lives out its mission.

Thank you, dear partner in the ministry, for your invaluable part in helping fulfill the Great Commission through the various ministries here in IGSL. Let’s continue to pray that many more would come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the faithful witness of the Asian church, especially in the least-reached places.

Serving with you in building leaders for transformation,

Great B. Mabuti, PhD
IGSL President