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Commentary: Ministry reaches out to Asian Americans

>Jul. 30, 2008

NOTE: A photograph is available at http://umns.umc.org.

>A UMNS Commentary By the Rev. Judy Chung*

The Asian American Language Ministry Plan is a United Methodist
initiative that is expanding the church's reach to Asian-American
communities across the United States.

Launched in 1996 by action of General Conference, AALM has been an
important resource for developing new ministries as well as
strengthening existing ones in Asian-American communities that include
at least 10 sub-ethnic groups with 15 different languages.

>From 2001 to 2006, AALM has been directly involved in 29 church plants,
42 congregational revitalizations and 18 partnerships with United
Methodist annual (regional) conferences. I use the term directly because
some of these new churches and congregations have, on their own,
initiated and supported development of other church plants.

For example, a Chinese church planted in Oklahoma with the support of
the AALM already has given birth to three new church plants in eight
years of ministry. The Filipino community has developed its own
strategic plan called "Paglagog" to support development of churches in
the United States. Hence, the numbers presented here are only the first
fruits of much more growth to come.

AALM also supports exciting and innovative models of mission such as a
Chinese ministry launched in Louisiana to target the area's growing
population of unchurched Chinese people. The initiative was launched
through a collaborative effort of the Louisiana Annual Conference, the
Monroe District, Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, La., and the
United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

In its first 18 months, the ministry has received more than 24
individuals on professions of faith, including two respected elders and
leaders of the mostly Buddhist Asian community. In addition, the Rev.
Joseph Zhong Guo, pastor of the Trinity congregation, has established a
network of small groups that meet monthly for Bible study in Chinese in
the Monroe and Homer areas. This effort is connecting people to local
United Methodist congregations in their own neighborhoods. As such, it
is a truly a collaborative effort of many local churches in the Monroe
District to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God's message of
abundant life to unchurched Asian Chinese Americans.

>The next generation

AALM is strategically responding to the greatest need of the
Asian-American community, reaching out to the next generation by hosting
a strategic planning session attended by 12 Asian-American young adult
leaders. As a result of this gathering, an Asian-American Young Adult
Ministry network has been established for support and sharing of
resources. Also, in response to needs expressed by the participants, an
Asian-American Young Adult Leadership Summit is scheduled for Oct. 2-4
in Los Angeles.

These are just a few examples of the difference that the AALM is making
in our church and for the kingdom of God. Moreover, with the approval of
$1.6 million budget for the AALM by the 2008 General Conference, our
church has affirmed its commitment to continue this effort of reaching
out to an increasing number of first-, second- and third-generation
Asian Americans with the emphasis on the following four goals:

*	Development of new congregations

*	Recruitment and training of pastoral and lay leadership; 
*	Development of community ministries; and
*	Development of language resources and materials

Of course, all of these goals cannot be accomplished by any one
individual or even one group. It can only be fulfilled when we, as the
church, work in partnership with every member of our body. Whether it's
the leadership of the annual conference, staff of the boards and
agencies, pastors of local churches or lay leaders of our communities,
there is a role that each partner can play in furthering our mission
among these expanding immigrant communities.

>New possibilities

Although I recognize and appreciate our churches and leaders who already
have committed their resources to Asian-American ministries, there is
more we can do. Here are some suggestions:

*	Commit to support a new church plant project of another ethnic
community by cultivating an ongoing relationship, providing financial
support and sharing resources such as youth leaders, Sunday school
teachers and English curriculum;
*	Make an intentional effort to embrace other Asian-American youth
and young adults in existing programs such as retreats, trainings and
mission trips; and
*	Advocate for other Asian Americans within our connectional
system by serving as a candidacy mentor and speaking up for these
ministries.

There are many other ways for us to support the goals of the AALM. For
us as United Methodists, the most important step is to commit our time,
talents and prayer to support our fellow Asian-American sisters and
brothers to make disciples of all nations and to yield greater fruit for
the kingdom of God.

*Chung is executive secretary of Asian American and Pacific Islanders
Ministries, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

News media contact: the Rev. David Kim, director, Korean Resources
editor, United Methodists in Service, United Methodist Communications,
and Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

>********************

United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org

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