The Chosen Asia Catholic Summit Opens with Strong Call for Creative Evangelisation

Penang, Malaysia | 30 November 2026: The Chosen Asia Catholic Summit opened with a strong call for renewed and creative approaches to evangelisation. The three-day gathering, held at The Light Hotel from 30 November to 2 December, brings together delegates from seven Asian countries, including Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from across the region.

The inauguration of the Sumit was presided over by Sebastian Cardinal Francis. In his inaugural address, the Cardinal underlined the changing landscape of evangelisation and said that the Church’s mission today rests in creative and capable hands. He noted that visual media initiatives like The Chosen are helping the Gospel reach new audiences with clarity and power, giving fresh hope that digital storytelling can strengthen the Church’s outreach.

The summit is hosted by Ajin Joseph, CCBI’s Catholic Engagement Manager for The Chosen, and Randel Serrao, Catholic Engagement Manager for the Philippines. Both served as event moderators, guiding the sessions and facilitating audience engagement.

Day One featured a strong line-up of presentations. Dr. Ashish Thomas, APAC Regional Director, spoke on how The Chosen has become a key tool for faith engagement in the 21st century. This was followed by a global session led by Mark McCain, Global Chief Officer at the Come and See Foundation, and Stan McCain from the USA. They highlighted the need for shared responsibility in supporting and promoting visual media as a modern missionary instrument.

The day also included an interactive question and answer session, where delegates asked wide-ranging questions on mission strategy, ownership models, content deployment, and support structures. The open exchange brought clarity and built a sense of common purpose.

The first day concluded with a prayer and blessing by Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, President of both the FABC and the CCBI. Delegates later came together for a fellowship meal, strengthening fraternal bonds and setting a positive tone for the days ahead.

The summit’s opening day closed with a spirit of unity, hope, and renewed commitment to using digital storytelling as a vital tool for the Church’s mission across Asia.

By Catholic Connect Reporter