Evangelical students from more than twelve countries/regions are expected to participate in the East Asia Regional Conference (EARC)2005, which is going to be held in Ciawi, Indonesia on May 24 thu 30.

EARC is held every 3 years for Christian students and new graduates since 1972. It addresses issues "that students face in daily life, whether in campus, in society or in church." "This is a chance to share, learn and encourage each other," the organizor of EARC, International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), said. "as students in East Asia face many similar problems."

The theme of this year's conference is "GENER-ASIA, Arise and Shine!", taken from Isaiah 60:1. According to IFES, it "echoes God's calling for His people to live for Him and to bring His love and justice to the world, so that they may see His glory and worship Him".

"Young generation of students and graduates of East Asia are given the same calling and privilege. We are called to rise from any spiritual lethargy and dedicate our lives to respond to the needs of the world, for the sake of God's glory."

During the conference, the participants will collectively listen and respond to God's Word through daily Bible Expositions and plenary sessions. There will also be interaction in small groups and student ministry reports of each country. IFES hopes that through this conference, students will be challenged to "live with a commitment to be Christ's witnesses in campus, church, and society."

As an international fellowship, IFES presently has members in nine East Asian countries/regions: KGK-Japan, IVF/GCF-Korea, FES/GCF-Hong Kong, CEF-Taiwan, IVCF/GCF-Philippines, TCS-Thailand, FES/GCF-Malaysia, FES/GCF-Singapore, and Perkantas-Indonesia.

In addition, more students from countries such as Macau, Mongolia, and Cambodia are joining this year's conference.