A Report on the AEA D6 Asia Family Discipleship Conference 2026– Gwen De Rozario, Executive Director (AEA)
From 14 to 16 May 2026, a significant spiritual movement coalesced online as the Asia Evangelical Alliance (AEA) hosted the D6 Asia Family Discipleship Conference via Zoom. Bringing together a total reach of over 200 participants from across 15 countries, the conference served as a clarion call to the Asian Church to reclaim the home as the primary site of faith formation. This three-day event was not merely a seminar but a strategic gathering to unite, envision, and equip both church and home for generational transformation.
The Heart of D6: A Biblical Mandate
The D6 movement is rooted in the principles of Deuteronomy 6, emphasizing that discipleship is a daily, “as-you-go” process that involves all generations. A central theme throughout the conference was the “Kingdom of God at home,” a concept championed by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Yap. He posited that the ultimate goal of family discipleship is the Kingdom of God and the fulfilment of His purposes through the generations – this is a prerequisite for a strong church in society.
The conference opened with a special track for pastors and church leaders on May 14, highlighting the urgent need for church leadership to model and prioritize family discipleship. Ps. Matthew Ling and others laid the theological groundwork, reminding leaders that the home is God’s most powerful place for shaping faith for every member.
Arresting the Drift: Addressing the Crisis of Faith
A sobering reality presented during the sessions is that many Christian families across Asia are currently struggling to pass on the legacy of faith.
Furthering this discussion, Dr. Timothy Paul Jones addressed the fear most parents and church leaders have when they young people deconstruct & deconvert. We’re afraid that if we acknowledge the doubts our teenagers are facing, we might actually validate them.
But Dr. Jones argues that the most radical thing we can do is lean into the struggle, not panic but ask five calm questions to understand where they are really coming from.
Speakers Daniel Lim and Vania Christian continued to expound on the fact that today’s young people are asking different faith questions from the past – the goodness of God, whether His judgements are fair, issues of sexuality and the individual’s right to choose – these are questions that really matter to them now.
They reframed these hard questions explaining—where the “deconstruction” is met with robust, loving, and intellectually honest answers—we strip the crisis of its power to isolate. The church must be the safest place on earth to have a crisis of faith.
The urgency is clear: without an intentional partnership between the Church and the home, a whole generation risks being “washed out” by the competing influences of modern culture.
New Paradigms for the Generations
The 2026 conference introduced several “new” and practical ideas for discipling the generations – from Gen Alpha, navigating the digital age and new identity issues, to those at the other end of the life stage spectrum.
Heart-Based Parenting: Dr. Scott Turansky challenged the traditional behavior-modification model of parenting, advocating for a heart-based approach. He provided practical strategies for managing screen time and responding when children say “no,” in defiance, focusing on reaching the child’s heart rather than just controlling their actions.
Emotional Resilience: Ps Sharon Chong highlighted the need to build emotionally resilient and spiritually grounded children. Her sessions focused on equipping parents to raise kids who can thrive amidst the unique pressures of the modern world.
Sexual Wholeness: Rev. Edmund Smith shared a powerful perspective on navigating sexual wholeness and redemption, emphasizing that the church must engage in this topic and be a place where families can find healing regarding identity. And where is sexual brokenness, he show how the body of Christ can give Christ-like pastoral care whilst holding on to biblical truth.
Biblical Legacy: Rev. Dr. Daniel Kim shifted the focus from material inheritance to a spiritual legacy, teaching that legacy matters for every Christian and must be intentionally cultivated to ‘pass well, age well and finish well’.
The Church as the Equipper
The conference emphasized that the local church’s role must shift from being the sole provider of spiritual education to being an equipper of all her members to make disciples at each life stage. As a pastor from Bangladesh reflected, “The local church must go beyond teaching children directly—we need to empower the family to be a training ground for faith.”
This involves strengthening the foundational relationships within the family, including healthy biblical marriages for pastors and laypeople alike, as taught by Rev. Dr. Chris and Mona Chia. For discipleship to take place in marriage and a oneness forged in the image of Christ and his church, a dying to self and humility are it’s essential ingredients.
Conclusion: The Call to Action
The AEA D6 Asia 2026 conference concluded with a powerful reminder: the home and church are two halves of a whole, designed by God to work in tandem. For church leaders, the message is urgent: engage in family discipleship now to ensure the legacy of faith continues for generations to come.
As the D6 movement continues to grow across Asia, the AEA invites all churches to take up the challenge of generational discipleship, making the home a place where the Word of God is lived out daily. All participants were challenged to seek what God was speaking to them through the speakers and to respond in faith, to be advocates and disciple families. The reach of over 15 countries is just the beginning of a regional transformation that starts behind the front doors of our own homes.
For a holistic children perspective, please refer to the WEA Children’s Network.
If you are inspired to do more in the area of family discipleship, whether for your family, church or nation, contact at [email protected] or [email protected]
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