On 30 April to 7 May 2025, the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, in partnership with the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), hosted the 3rd Asian Academy for Campus Ministry (AACM) 2025 in Hong Kong with the theme “Nurturing Minds, Empowering Lives: Advancing Mental Health and Mentorship in Campus Communities.” It gathered 30 participants from different universities in 11 countries across Asia.
The program aimed to inspire, empower, and equip campus leaders, chaplains, and related personnel to become agents of transformation in their respective communities amidst the rapid development in artificial Intelligence and increasing challenges related to the holistic well-being of students and the institutions, with emphasis on mental health.
Hong Kong’s dynamic culture and rich history of multi-faith and spiritual practices provided the participants with unique opportunities to explore diverse approaches to campus ministry, spirituality, and holistic care.
As the 30th participant chosen from 170 applicants across Asia, my first impulse was to question my worthiness of being in that gathering. “Why me, Lord? Why did you bring me here?” I anxiously thought…To my surprise, a quiet assurance from the Lord came through the words of Dr. Maher Spurgeon, United Board’s Consultant and Director of South Asia Programs, as he warmly welcomed me and my companions when we arrived at the hotel. Very clearly, he said to me, “Welcome to AACM, Rosalia! I am glad you made it and that you are here now!” Instantly, my doubts dissipated, and I felt at home with the AACM Organizing Team and my co-participants.
The lingering question throughout the academy was, “What do you want me to do for you, Lord?” I realized that my concrete experiences in the Formation Ministry in Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) is the gift that I could share in the conference. Concretely, it was edifying and heartwarming to hear that our Formation Program at ADDU, which was showcased and experienced firsthand by the AACM participants in 2023, is now being lauded by the United Board leadership as holistic, remarkable, and well-established that other institutions across Asia could get inspiration and learn from.
The whole experience of AACM 2025 was indeed a build-up on the gains of the first two gatherings held in the Philippines in 2023 and in Indonesia in 2024. Through the well-rounded program focused on Mental Health and varied Mentoring Techniques, the participants were seamlessly led to a very engaging process of learning, reflection, and action, from Day 1 to Day 7. Everything was carefully planned and excellently executed that everyone could feel the atmosphere of deep communion of souls, emboldened by a spirituality that connects everyone to a Supreme Being who is ever present and moving beyond culture, beyond borders.
Article by Ms. Rosalia C. Pabres, St. Ignatius Spirituality Center (SISC) / Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office (ISFO)
Photos from the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia
Published on