An Interview with Asiri Fernando

Many Christians in Singapore may not have heard of Asiri Fernando. But Singaporeans will know of Sri Lanka, a country in South Asia that lies southeast of India. Many will say Sri Lanka is like Singapore, an island nation with beautiful beaches. Many more will know Sri Lanka has tea plantations.

For many Presbyterians, unfamiliarity with Asiri Fernando will soon change when the man in the promo video they have watched for Unstoppable appears before them on 25 July.

Unstoppable is the English Presbytery’s missions conference for 2024. Held over three days at True Way Presbyterian Church, delegates will learn how new digital capabilities have changed missions, how missions can transform communities for good, how the arts may help the work of missions, and why Christians may faithfully plant churches inside cities.

Heading up a faculty of speakers, Asiri Fernando is the keynote speaker. Asiri was born and raised in Sri Lanka, lives in Kandy with his wife and two young children and will deliver three plenary messages.

He is currently serving in Youth For Christ Sri Lanka, leading the work in the central mountainous region of the country. He is also the author of Unstoppable: Total Devotion to the Gospel (A Study of Philippians).

His father is Ajith Fernando, the former national director and, later, teaching director of YFC in Sri Lanka. Ajith was the speaker at the English Presbytery’s 2013 Easter Convention. Ajith’s own father, a Methodist layman, first welcomed the arrival of YFC to Sri Lanka in 1965.

On behalf of TOGETHER, Anna Phua spoke with Asiri prior to his visit to Singapore.

Anna Phua: What initially drew you to join Youth For Christ?

Asiri: I was born into a Youth for Christ family. My parents met in YFC as teenagers and my father has been working in YFC for the past 47 years. In some eastern contexts, just like in Biblical times, sons are drawn to do what their fathers do, especially if the father is a “good man”. As a child, I never had any negative thoughts towards Youth for Christ because my father always made time to play with me.

After I graduated from secondary school, I went on to do a Bachelor’s degree in computer science. During this time, I was also a YFC volunteer and I would take a 3-hour journey every Saturday to the mountain city of Kandy. This was to do a Bible study with a few boys. On a typical Saturday, the streets of Kandy were filled with young people who were just loitering around after their tuition classes. Seeing them, I was broken by how lost they were and I had a deep burden for them to know Christ. During the last year of my bachelor’s degree, I was 22 years old and I was convinced that I wanted to spend the rest of my life telling young people about Jesus. I knew that God was calling me to YFC. I have never looked back since. My wife and I have been serving in Kandy for the last 14 years. I also now oversee the YFC work in the central mountain cities of Sri Lanka.

How has being in Youth For Christ changed you through the years you’ve been serving there?

I have grown to love Jesus more in my obedience to him. I have grown in my understanding of His grace, as He continues to use a weak servant like me. This understanding has filled me with a deep sense of gratitude and joy. I have also grown in my understanding of the sheer glory of a young person coming to know Jesus. Over the years, I have also come to realise that true fulfillment comes from the steadfast commitment to a few people, even in difficult times.

What plans do you think God has for you in Sri Lanka YFC?

My great longing is that the people in the mountain cities of Sri Lanka will see the glory of God. I long for a revival in these cities. And if through my work in YFC I can have a part to play in that, I would be very grateful.

In the upcoming English Presbytery Mission Fest, what are you most looking forward to and why?

As with any speaking appointments I receive, I look forward to the new friendships I will make during my time there. I look forward to have unhurried conversations with as many people as possible.

I love teaching God’s word. I’m confident that God’s word changes people. I believe when God speaks, He acts (Isa 55:11). I’m convinced that every Word in scripture is breathed out from God (2 Tim 3:16). Psalm 33 says “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host,” and this includes the sun, moon and stars.

Such is the power of the “God-breathed” Word. When we become convinced of these truths, we realise the ministry of the Word is one of the most exciting things we can do.

What are some of your personal aspirations or goals as the keynote speaker of the event?

I pray that through my three plenary messages, the church will see the glory of God and the glory of missions. And that everyone will feel a renewed sense of urgency to live lives of wholehearted surrender to Christ.

I read your article in The Gospel Coalition, No Mission Work is an Island. I was taken by your appeal to the church to be more dependent on one another since Jesus has said we are all one body belonging to Him, and that we are members of one body. You cited as an example of dependence a time when Singapore YFC provided training to Sri Lanka YFC on digital evangelism. And you said that Sri Lanka YFC in turn supported Singapore YFC with prayer warriors. What other ways do you think the church in Singapore can do more to support churches in Sri Lanka, or vice versa?

Well, just two weeks ago, a team of seven young adults from Singapore YFC spent 5 days with us in the high mountain city of Nuwara Eliya. They eagerly visited the homes of young people and shared the gospel in the impoverished tea estate communities. We were blessed by their eagerness to serve. We learned much from them- their humility, hard work in preparation, use of time, and creative means to present the gospel.

At the same time, many from the Singapore team said they were deeply blessed by the relational intimacy within the Sri Lanka YFC team in the mountains. They experienced the joy of unhurried lingering with one another. Perhaps it was an eye-opener to what the family of God could look like. They were also touched by how our teams were joyfully persevering amidst much hardship without a spirit of complaining. It was an enriching time for everyone.

True Way’s English congregation has been working on being more inter-generational. How have you seen this displayed in the mission field, and what do you think the church can do more to increase interactions between the different generations?

I’d like to mention three things. First, the Bible commands us to embrace the posture of a humble servant as we approach all people (Mark 10:44). This applies also to our relationship with those from a different generation. One of the key Greek words for servant in the NT is doulos, meaning bond servant or slave. When we are servants of people, the people become our masters. We must then give them the respect we give a master. I work mostly with young leaders in their 20’s and 30’s. I am their leader, and leadership is important. But I understand that I am also their servant, so I must approach them with the respect I would give my master. A deep respect for someone from another generation is a key starting point for inter-generational ministry.

Secondly, we’re also called to “in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil 2:3) This is another attitude that propels inter-generational oneness in missions. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He didn’t say, “Hi I’m Jesus. How can I help you?” Instead, He said, “Can you help me?” Jesus came in humility and treated her with high respect. If you look at the social context at that time and convert it to ours, it would be like asking a beggar on the street for water when you are thirsty. That would require a lot of humility. Making an effort to see those from a different generation as greater than ourselves, being willing to learn from them, looking for things they are good at where we are not, and asking for their help opens the door for inter-generational unity.

Third, being convinced of the oneness of the body of Christ. Paul said in Galatians 3:28, that there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. The words neither and nor are important. If Paul said either and or, he would be talking about unity in diversity. But he is saying no more Jew, no more Greek! Why? Because we are all “ONE”. We are all “clothed with Christ” (Gal 3:27). This is “unity in oneness”. Therefore, we must hold lightly to the things that make us different, such as our age, for we are one in Christ!

What do you see are some of the biggest challenges facing missionaries in the field today?

As I have said, embracing the posture of a servant is very important. This is a challenge because it’s not easy. Sometimes missionaries are associated with colonialism or bringing “western religion”. However, when we behold a humble servant, all notions of colonialism are shattered. The love of a servant breaks through many barriers and people become open to hearing the gospel. I hope to speak much about servanthood at the EP Mission Fest. I believe it’s the primary way of becoming like Christ. It is also the path to greatness in the Kingdom of God.

The second challenge is perseverance. In many areas, it takes about 7-10 years before you see any fruit. This can be very discouraging, and many give up. But those who persevere see lasting fruit.

So, discouragement is part of missionary experience. And when we’re discouraged, we need the comfort of a friend. This is a huge need among missionaries. Also when it comes to our holiness, besides walking with the Holy Spirit, we need friends to lift us when we fall. “Two are better than one…For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Eccl 4:9-10). One of my greatest burdens for pastors and Christian leaders in Sri Lanka is that they have at least one friend to share their personal temptations with.

Many missionaries live lifestyles vastly different to those they serve. This can be a huge hindrance to the gospel. People start seeing missionaries as those with money, and dependence on material benefits can become greater than dependence on God. I believe when this happens, the mission loses its spiritual power. So, a challenge for missionaries is learning to embrace simplicity.

It must be challenging doing God’s work in Sri Lanka today, given the political instability and economic crisis that hit the country in recent years. How have you seen God working in and through His people even in these turbulent times?

Indeed, this has been a time when the church learned to carry one another’s burdens. Isn’t it amazing that in the early church, the rich and the poor had everything in common and there was no one in need! (Acts 2:44, Acts 4:32). This is a high standard that is difficult to achieve. However, in Sri Lanka this has been a time when some believers stopped living extravagantly so they could give extravagantly. As the saying goes, “Live simply so others can simply live”.

I am interested to ask you about religion and religious conflict in Sri Lanka. There was a horrific terrorist suicide bomb attack on churches in April 2019 at Easter Sunday services. How did this affect the country at that time, and what has been the outcome today? Singaporean Christians have no experience or deep understanding of terror attacks. Do Christians in Sri Lanka live in fear? Do Christians feel persecuted? How has inter-religious work changed? How has YFC work been affected? How has this affected the thinking and hopes of the young people you work with?

As a child, I have been close to two suicide bombings, one just outside my school and one close to my home. I had minor injuries from one. This was during the 26-year civil war that started the year I was born. Sri Lankans who remained in the country, especially those who are part of the Tamil community, have learned to be resilient amidst hardship. After the civil war that claimed about 100,000 lives ended, we had 10 years of peace until the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

It was a sad day for the country, but we’re thankful it didn’t escalate into a war. Apart from the families who were directly affected, the terror attacks have not had a long-term effect on Christians. Some question if there was a political motive behind it. The first thing I did after the attacks was to go visit a Muslim boy who was dear to me.

Christians who face persecution live mostly in non-urban village settings where the majority religion is strong. There have been pastors who have been killed and we occasionally we hear of house churches being stoned. But in most urban settings, we have a lot of freedom to practise our faith. However, we need to be wise when doing evangelistic events.

How has the economic crisis that reached its most desperate point in 2022 affected the country? Are people in Sri Lanka hopeful? Has this divided the country? What adjustments have you had to make to stay effective in your ministry work?

The combination of back-to-back events such as the political and economic crisis, along with corruption and mismanagement of funds in the highest levels of politics brought the country to bankruptcy in April 2022. It is painful to see the exodus of young people leaving the country since then. In Youth For Christ, we are trying hard to show young people that our hope is not in Sri Lanka but in God who has not abandoned our beautiful nation.

How would you like our readers to pray for Sri Lanka YFC?

Please would you pray for the holiness of our young leaders? Also, we are an evangelistic organisation that is team-driven. We would appreciate prayer for a deep oneness and unity in all our teams as we wage war against the spiritual forces of darkness that has plagued so many young people. Pray that God will give us more labourers to go to the many unreached areas of our nation, and a big thank-you for your partnership with us in prayer!

Additional reporting by Lee Chung Horn. All photos by Asiri Fernando unless otherwise indicated.
Anna Phua first came to True Way as a teenager in the early 90s. She returned to join True Way in 2022. She is currently a student again at NUS, pursuing a postgraduate diploma in social work.
Unstoppable will be held at True Way Presbyterian Church from 25 to 27 July 2024. The programs on 25 and 26 July run from 6.30pm to 10pm. On 27 July, registration starts 8.45am and the program runs till 5.30pm.
TOGETHER is published online twice a year. Opinions expressed are those of the authors. All rights reserved. Current and previous issues of TOGETHER are available at trueway.org.sg/newsletters.