The office of the Ao Theological Association extends our sincere congratulations to Rev. Dr. WatiLongchar for being selected as the next Executive Director of the Foundation for Theological Education in South East Asia (FTESEA)
Dr. Wati Longchar is a Professor of Systematic Theology specializing in Asian Contextual Theologies.
He taught at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, for almost two decades and during which he was also the Director of Tribal Studies Centre and Executive Editor of The Journal of Tribal Studies, after which he served under the World Council of Churches and Christian Conference of Asia as the Consultant for Ecumenical Theological Education for Asia and Pacific; Dean, Senate Centre for Extension and Pastoral Theological Research (SCEPTRE); and Director in charge, South Asia Theological Research Institute (SATHRI), Senate of Serampore College (University).
He also taught at Yushan Theological College & Seminary in Taiwan. Currently, he serves as Regional Consultant for Theological Education in East and South Asia, International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches, and Ao Baptist Churches Association.
Prof. Longchar is a Commission member of Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. He also serves as honorary Dean of the Program for Theology and Cultures in Asia (PTCA).
As committed to transformative theological education for Social and Economic Sustainability, Prof. Longchar was involved in designing and developing the curriculum for North East India Christian University (NEICU) and Theological Universities in Myanmar.
His vision that theological education must become an instrument of liberation and contribute to the nation’s building has changed the theological education perspective in Asia. True to his theological commitment, during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, Prof. Longchar was actively involved in addressing the issues and problems that emerged from the Covid crisis.
Along with year-long virtual leadership training on “Christian Witness in Times of Covid-19 and Beyond”, Prof. Longchar authored and edited six titles relating to Covid issues. The books are well received and acknowledged by scholars, lay leaders and church workers.
In their press announcement, FTESEA said, “Our strong recommendation of Dr. Longchar comes from our appreciation for his extensive experience with FTESEA and FTESEA’s ecumenical associates and for the depth of his understanding of the complexity of theological education in Asia.
This understanding comes from his many years as a faculty member and administrator in theological education in different parts of Asia. He has been deeply engaged in ecumenical work, for years as a consultant on theological education as well as in other leadership capacities, and so brings genuine understanding of the issues and the related ecumenical programs.
The extent of his knowledge can be seen in his very long list of publications on Asian theological education and the Asian context. Dr. Longchar has both the depth of relevant experience and the range of qualifications and skills we are seeking in the next Executive Director.”
Prof. Longchar is an internationally acclaimed author of several books and research articles, including the award-winning book Returning to Mother Earth: Theology, Christian Witness and Theological Education: An Indigenous Perspective, published in 2012.
The Ao Literature Society has facilitated him in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to the development of Ao literature. He will take up his new responsibility on 1 January 2023, and the office will be located in Chicago, USA. The Ao Theological Association wishes Prof. Wati Longchar abundant God’s blessings in fulfilling the trust posed upon him by FTESEA.
Sd/-
Rev. Jongpong
President
Ao Theological Association
Also read: Prof. A. Wati Longchar to be next Executive Director of FTESEA