VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/19/10)—More than 130 people representing 14 different ethnicities gathered in Chicago in June for the Asian Pastors/Seminarians/Young Adults Conference and the Asian American Baptist Caucus Convocation. The conference—“Living in the Present…Facing the Future”—was sponsored by American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
Keynote speaker Rev. Katie Choy-Wong, pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship in Castro Valley, Calif., challenged participants to live life with a perspective that embraces a diversity of cultures. Her message inspired the pastors, seminarians and young adults in attendance to hold on to the faith that each person can accomplish the goals set before them.
The conference training event featured Dr. Jeff Johnson, American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ national coordinator of Evangelism and Church Planting, who presented the six different personality styles outlined in his book, “Got Style? Personality-Based Evangelism.” The conference also included: testimonies by pastors from different regions; morning devotions by Rev. Wungreiso Valui, pastor of Fort Wayne Baptist Church, which has a Karen Christian Fellowship totaling more than 200 members; and Regina Gonu Lapcevic, an emerging young adult leader from the Indian Telugu Baptist Church of Greater Chicago with a deep passion for second and third generation youth ministries.
Workshops offered enrichment about a variety of topics:
• “Christian Discipleship with Children & Youth” by Rev. David A. Dorapalli;
• “Missional Circle” by Dr. Mar Imsong & Rev. Ben Chan, International Ministries;
• “Balancing Ministry, Family and Church” by Chosen Gloria Chintapalli;
• “Immigration Reform Awareness” by Rev. Manuel de la Fuente;
• “Facilities Planning Skillshop” by Dr. Ben Greene;
• “Sound Congregational Administration” by Rev. Rothang Chhangte;
• “Nextgen Ministries” by Rev. Melanie Mar-Chow;
• “Mosaic Café―A Conversational Café” by Dr. Brenda Halliburton; and
• “Worship Style” by Dr. Biak Mang.
During the Asian American Baptist Caucus Convocation, the Karen Baptist Fellowship in the U.S. and the Chin Baptist Fellowship in America—two networks established by Karen and Chin Baptists—were voted into the Caucus body. The convocation’s Friday evening multicultural talent show showcased different ages and cultural groups and provided opportunities for fun and fellowship.
For more information about Asian Ministries, please contact Rev. Florence Li, American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ Asian churches strategist at Florence.Li@abhms.org or 800-222-3872 x2468. For more information about ministries with refugees from Burma, please contact Rev. Rothang Chhangte, American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ liaison for Burmese refugees, at Rothang.Chhangte@abhms.org or 800-222-3872 x2426.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies ministers as the caring heart, serving hands, going feet and prophetic voice of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.