Delegates of the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches Visit Denominational Partners

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/1/19)—Leaders of the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches and other delegates visited King of Prussia, Pa., March 25-28 to meet with members of the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary, American Baptist Foundation, American Baptist Home Mission Societies and International Ministries.

“I praise God for the opportunity to have been a part of the delegation representing the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches as the Caucus Coordinator (President). I am praying for ABCUSA as I go back to my ministry at home, hoping for a better future for our beloved denomination,” said Rev. Sun Kim, Asian Caucus coordinator. “I can already see that the success of our Asian Constituency will become a seed that can secure the future growth of our ministries. Thank you for listening to our voice, and may God bless the path that is ahead you.”

Rev. Sun Kim and Rev. Dr. Chakravarthy Zadda, Asian Alliance Administration Coordinator, approached denominational partners in fall of 2018 to initiate meetings last week in Pennsylvania. The trip was coordinated in partnership with representatives of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, International Ministries, the American Baptist Foundation, and the Office of the General Secretary (Rev. Florence Li, Rev. Leslie Turley, Rev. Marsha Scipio, and Linda Cassel).

“The ministry team of ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary very much enjoyed our conversation and dinner with the leadership of the Asian Alliance. I am very excited about the vision they shared, and about the ways that ABCUSA and the Alliance can collaborate and cooperate in the future,” said Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.

“American Baptist Foundation was truly inspired by our meetings with the Asian Alliance in Valley Forge. We listened to the vision and future of the Alliance as they seek to better support their churches and ministries. The AB Foundation shared our programs and the tools we use to create a culture of generosity through legacy giving. A blessed time of dinner and fellowship was enjoyed following our meeting.,” said Linda S. Cassel, Director of Development with the American Baptist Foundation.

“American Baptist Home Mission Societies is profoundly grateful for the joyous visit, filled with warm fellowship and rich and meaningful dialogue about shared mission and concerns, that we shared with AAABC during its time in King of Prussia. We found the Alliance’s expanding ministry vision both impressive and exciting,” said Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director, American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

“The Asian American Baptist churches have been actively involved in the shaping of the ministries and church relations of American Baptist family. Their visit and dialogues with denominational staffs this week marks another milestone of the strengthening of our mutual learning and partnership,” said Rev. Dr. Benjamin S. L. Chan, Area Director of East and South Asia of International Ministries.

Delegates of the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches making the visit included:

Katharine Hsiao, Missions Coordinator, Member of New Life Christian Fellowship in Castro Valley, CA
Rev. Sun Kim, Caucus Coordinator, Baptized member of Japanese Baptist Church in Seattle, WA, Pastoral staff of Santa Clara First Baptist Church in Santa Clara (CA)
Sandra Lee, Congregational Resourcing Coordinator, Member of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in Oakland, CA
Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, Past Present of the Asian American Baptist Caucus, Regional Executive Minister of ABC of Wisconsin
Rev. Michele Turek, Records & Communications Coordinator, Member of First Chinese Baptist Church in Fresno, CA
Rev. Dr. Wungreiso Valui, Previous Congregational Resourcing Coordinator, Pastor of Santa Clara First Baptist Church (CA)
Rev. Dr. Chakravarthy Zadda, Administration Coordinator, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Waukesha (WI)

As noted in an announcement on March 25, after taking official steps to become the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches beginning in 2011, the transition was completed when the Asian Caucus Constituency voted to adopt new bylaws in July 2018 and the Caucus officially became the Alliance of Asian American Baptists. Read the full announcement here.

The ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary supports the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Caucuses monetarily through its Representative Process funding, which comes directly from giving to United Mission.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.