wfn.org | ABCUSA: Conferences Mark Milestone of Asian American Baptist Ministries

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 10/25/04)--More than 135
American Baptists gathered for the Asian American Baptist Women's Conference
and the Asian American Baptist Convocation and Mission Conference in Oakland,
Calif., Sept. 16-18. The adjoining conferences marked a historic milestone in
the life of Asian American Baptists, since participants-representing about 12
ethnic/language groups-traveled from across the United States to attend. 

The Women's Conference theme, "Navigating the Journey of Ministry, Empowering
Women in Ministry," was conveyed through two workshop tracks-growth and
empowerment-that provided valuable information and inter-generational dialog
between clergy and lay women. Keynote speaker the Rev. Jenny Quey, senior
pastor of Community Baptist Church in San Mateo, Calif., helped conferees see
the value of service with the text, Luke 7:16-35. A panel discussion led by
the Rev. Amelia Chua followed.

Conference highlights included a labyrinth walk led by the Rev. Dr. Cheryl
Dudley, National Ministries' associate executive director of Church in
Community Transformation, and a spiritual journey through the art of paper
cutting led by Ms. Alice Helen Masek.  With the theme, "Go Global, Engage
Local," the Convocation and Mission Conference was a valuable collaboration
among the Asian American Baptist Caucus, National Ministries' Asian
Ministries and International Ministries.

Keynote speaker Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, general secretary of the
Philippines' National Council of Churches, delivered the message,
"Interpreting the Great Commission in Asia Today." While enlightening
attendees about the dehumanizing effects of economic and militarized
globalization, she encouraged them to see and practice mission in such a
context through the "Confession of Jesus Christ as God Incarnate, the
"Affirmation of the Fullness of Life," and "Repentance from the Sin of
Ecclesiastical Chauvinism." Prior to her message, the Rev. Dr. James Chuck, a
faculty member of American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW) and one of the
pillars of the Asian Caucus, presented Ruiz-Duremdes with the 2002 ABSW Alum
Award. 

Dudley and the Rev. Florence Li, national coordinator for Intercultural
Ministries, Asian Churches Strategist, shared the work of National Ministries
and the vision for Asian American Baptist churches, respectively.
Missionaries Dr. Gam Shae, the Rev. Debbie Miller and Ms. Kimberly Jo Brown
presented testimonies about the impact of their work for International
Ministries in Thailand and the Philippines, and the Rev. Benjamin Chan, along
with other International Ministries' staff members, spoke about International
Ministries' present focus on going global and organizing missionary
partnership teams.

Presenters furthered responded to a panelist of several Caucus leaders,
including Prof. Carla Knipel and the Revs. David Sagar, Garrick Pang, Samuel
Saw and Kenneth Kho, resulting in a consensus that more effort must be made
to coordinate the various bodies of American Baptist Churches USA in pursuit
of common, rather than competing, visions. The cooperation among the Caucus,
National Ministries and International Ministries was a solid steppingstone
for a new era of partnership. 

The Caucus Convocation, under the leadership of Caucus President the Rev.
Manuel de la Fuente, further highlighted the local ministries and mission
work of Asian American Baptists. Caucus officers, along with regional and
language-group advocates, reported on the joys and praises of ministry, as
well as continuing needs on the national, regional and local church levels.

Throughout these two conferences, the workshops, presentations and
discussions resulted in deeper fellowship and renewed relationships among
participants. Many expressed a desire for more opportunities to wrestle with
Asian American issues across denominational lines and to strengthen mutual
understanding and support of one another. It was clear that this is a
necessary juncture to cross towards a strengthened Body of Christ, both in
part and in whole.							     
    
K/2004ABNS/04ABN121

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org