BGM Executive Committee, Sept. 11-13, 2014
Baptist Global Family
When I agreed to attend the BWA Annual Gathering in Izmir, Turkey in July, I had no idea of the ABC-related connections that I found. Since the predominant perception of ABC specifically from the perspective of Asians from Asia is still white, the Baptist leaders from Northeast India, Myanmar, and Malaysia couldn’t get over the fact that I, an Asian American was the ABC president! This bonding led to wonderful fellowships of taking our nightly stroll along the walk facing the Aegean Sea, sharing best practices, and envisioning cooperative projects like starting a Christian university in Nagaland. After a week at home, I attended IM’s World Mission Conference celebrating its 200th anniversary at Green Lake. Some of the people who were in Izmir attended the WMC and we continued our conversations of doing ministry together. The Christian University in Nagaland proposal got a hearing from Jerry Cain and others from Judson University along with IM staff and leaders. I also had an evening gathering with Ka-Chin people from Myanmar and the US regarding the current issues facing them that have led to the formation of two groups in the US.
Border Witness
Thanks to Roy Medley’s call for a public witness on the unaccompanied minors and our country’s lack of immigration reform, I was privileged to attend the prayer vigil in San Diego/Tijuana border fence (8/29). Planned by our ABC missionaries: Ray and Adalia Schellinger-Gutierrez, Tim and Pattie Long, and Mercy Gonzalez Barnes and Rick Barnes, we sang songs, prayed for understanding and compassion and remembered that Christ calls us to welcome the stranger, the widow and the orphan. Perhaps the most powerful moment for me is to be able to only touch the fingertip of the person on the other side of the fence in the US when we prayed for unity. I shared that while my father and mother had clear paths to citizenship in the 1940s, the undocumented workers deserve the same today. When I am up 30,000 feet in the air, I see no borders and fences. I believe that God doesn’t either.
On Behalf Of
I spoke at Grace BC’s 100th Anniversary in San Jose, CA (6/22) and at Gardena Valley BC’s 100th Anniversary in Gardena Valley, CA (8/16). This fall will take me to speak in NJ, Great Rivers, Evergreen, and Philadelphia for four weekends in a row. I pray for strength and energy to persevere.
Operational
We are receiving nominations and applications for the GS Search with our next face-to-face meeting on Nov. 11-12 before the BGM Board meetings. The ACT on United Mission has been working hard to prepare a major item for us to consider both at our Executive Committee meeting as well as for this November. Thanks to the great assistance of Cathy Brubaker, Marilyn Tyson, Annie Marcucci, and Kathy Young in making our meetings possible.