Charismatic and new forms of independent Pentecostal and evangelical movements are growing in Asia, with these movements spreading, says the outgoing general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).

Dr. Mathews George Chunakara who served as head of the CCA from 2015 to the end of July 2026 said in an interview, "The role of mainline churches and their witness in many areas of Asia is undergoing drastic changes for several reasons."

In his interview carried by the World Council of Churches, he said traditional churches' members "are attracted to the growing trend of aggressive evangelism, promoted by new-generation churches and para-church groups with a new mission thrust and missionary zeal."

Chunakara said in the changing Asian setting, there is a tendency to give way to non-institutional expressions of Christian mission and evangelisation.

Such a style of Christiani is gaining prominence in several countries.

"At the same time, the trend of charismatic and new forms of independent Pentecostal and evangelical movements is also growing, with these movements spreading their wings," said Chunakara, who worked at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, before moving back to Asia.

           - Violation of freedom of religion

He also noted a a deteriorating trend with the violation of freedom of religion and rights of religious minorities in Asia and so the CCA has developed an interfaith advocacy network has been developed.

This has been done in collaboration with other faith leaders.

"In a context where human rights violations are rampant in several Asian countries, CCA introduced a programme to enhance the capacities of young pastors and church workers in human rights advocacy through a weeklong training."

This focused on the Biblical and theological bases of human rights and human dignity.

He said also that a special training program, the Human Rights Institute, was launched in 2022 and runs annually.

"Given the growing need for research into the impact of technological advancement on Christian mission, an international study programme on 'Post-Humanism and Artificial Intelligence; was introduced," said the outgoing Asia churches head.

The CCA organized three major ecumenical youth gatherings—Asian Ecumenical Youth Assembly in 2018, 2023, and 2026, and two major Asian ecumenical women gatherings—the Asian Ecumenical Women's Assembly in 2019 and 2025.

            - Bringing together youth and women

They sought to bring together Asian youth and women.

Asked about challenges Chunakara said: "The identity, existence, and integrity of Christian communities in Asia are at stake amid complex problems in the emerging socioeconomic, geopolitical, and cultural contexts.

"Churches in Asia face a range of impacts on their mission and witness. Violation of the rights of Christian minorities, especially persecution, constant attacks against Christians, churches and Christian institutions and marginalisation of Christians, leaving many local Christian communities vulnerable and isolated."

The outgoing CCA head also said it is significant that churches continue to grow in many Asian countries, even in places hostile to the gospel.

"Asian churches and the faithful also face protracted challenges in terms of the growth of fundamentalist political ideologies, growing religious fundamentalism and extremism, including within churches themselves," noted Chunakara.

"The politicisation of religion and the religionisation of politics have become hallmarks of Asian social reality.

He also rued a lack of integrity in leadership and increasing corruption among church leaders that have become serious concerns.

"An ageing population, demographic changes, and the migration of young people within Asia and beyond are among the most serious challenges the churches and Christians face in Asia today," observed Chunakara.