Asian American Baptist Caucus
American Baptist Churches, USA
2003 Annual Report
June 9, 2003
Rev. Donald Ng, Caucus President
For over thirty years, the Asian Caucus has served the denomination by identifying and encouraging Asian churches and fellowships and Asian leaders to become active participants in the life of American Baptists. With assistance from the Credentials and Caucus Committee, Asian ABC leaders and churches have been able to meet both regionally as well as nationally at events like the Richmond Biennial. These efforts foster understanding of being American Baptist and deepen relationships that lead to the overall support of denominational programs and missions. In summary, the Asian Caucus acts as a conduit between the approximately 120 Asian ABC churches and fellowships in their respective regions and with the ABC,USA.
Regional Activities
The Asian Caucus is organized into 6 regional groups and 2 language groups. As expected, some groups have been more active than others. In May 2002, the East Coast group sponsored a retreat in the Valley Forge area when the national officers attended. This was followed by a meeting of the Caucus’ Steering Committee that included spending a day meeting denominational staff at the ABC Mission Center. For some of our committee members, this was their first time at the Mission Center. We met key staff leaders that could serve invaluably to support Asian churches. This year the East Coast group sponsored a Cultural Program and Pot-Luck on May 29 at Calvary Baptist, Clifton, NJ. Participants mostly from New York and New Jersey represented Burmese, Chinese, Filipinos, Korean, Asian Indian and others. After enjoying a smorgasbord of Asian dishes, various Asian groups presented songs, dances and the singing of hymns. Reverends Florence Li and Manuel de la Fluente, our Caucus Secretary are leaders in the East Coast Group.
The Northwest Group is one of the most active and consistent fellowships in the Caucus family. They once again sponsored their Cultural Festival attracting hundreds of people for a time of dinner and fellowship at the Seattle Chinese Baptist Church. Mr. Yosh Nagakawa and Mr. Herb Tsuchiya continue to serve as faithful organizers in the Seattle area. As a part of this annual gathering, an offering is taken for our Asian Caucus Seminarian Scholarship Fund to support Asian Americans in theological education. Our Vice President, Rev. Katie Choy-Wong is the Scholarship Committee chairperson.
The Northern CA group met for the first time on May 31 after a long period of inactivity at the First Chinese Baptist Church, San Francisco. Fourteen people representing 5 churches became acquainted and made plans for an Asian Church Festival on Nov. 8 at the American Baptist Seminary of the West when Dr. James Chuck will lead churches to understand their unique church profile. Other plans include meeting after the ABCW annual celebration in San Mateo and to promote local church programs for other Asian ABC churches to attend such as Chinese New Year events.
The Northern CA group in particular has also benefited from the new Asian Center at the ABSW, directed by Dr. Tim Tseng, Professor of Church History and past Asian Caucus President. There have been lectures, seminars, and conferences on strengthening Asian church ministries including recently the highly successful “Waterwind,” an Asian Worship Conference.
The Burmese Language Group met for their biennial retreat on May 16-18 at the Overseas Burmese Christian Fellowship in Boston. On the theme of “Embracing the Mind of Christ,” (Philippians 2:1-8), the retreat attracted 35 people from 8 churches. There were dynamic preaching and inspiring worship. Discussions led to commitments to identify ways to retain the younger and English-speaking generations to the life of the Burmese church. The group affirmed the plan to meet biennially in order to identify other Burmese fellowships and to support effectiveness in ministry. The executive committee is comprised of Rev. Zaw Wynn (Boston) as the Caucus advocate, Rev. Samuel Saw (Los Angeles), and Mr. Lawrence Chow (San Francisco).
The Midwest North, Midwest South, Southern CA and the Korean Language Groups’ reports may be forthcoming.
Asian Ministries in National Ministries
In March, 2003, Rev. Perla Belo, Director of Asian Ministries retired after serving 13 years with an Asian Pastors Retreat in Hawaii. The Caucus recognized her faithful dedication and service by presenting her with a framed picture. The Caucus has had conversations to encourage National Ministries to continue making ministry to Asians a priority in the hiring of a new full-time director. We stand ready to assist in any way to identify needs, explore new arrangements to more effectively relate with the growing number of Asian fellowships and churches, and to work in partnership with National Ministries as well as the entire denomination. Only through collaboration will we be able to efficiently use our limited resources to accomplish our common mission of reaching Asians for Christ.
Asian Caucus at the Richmond Biennial
In addition to having a time to enact our regular business, the biennial meetings provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of Asian Ministries as well as to celebrate God’s rich creative diversity in the ABC. In Richmond, the Asian Caucus officers, steering committee, and members will meet to share our respective ministries and make plans for the future. We will sponsor for the biennial a Saturday afternoon workshop that will utilize the recently published issue on Asian Americans in the American Baptist Quarterly—September 2002 (ABHS). A major event will be the Asian Caucus Dinner on Friday, June 27, 5:00 featuring US Congressman Mike Honda (D-San Jose, CA) as our guest speaker on the topic of “Faith & Public Witness.” Mr. Honda is a person of faith who endured the suffering of the Japanese internment during WWII. All are invited to attend. Three Asian American Baptists will also lead in Bible Studies during the biennial meetings this year.
Future Directions
Hampered by limited funds, the Steering Committee has not been able to meet face to face during the past year. We are looking forward to Richmond to renew our fellowship and strategize for the future.
Two Asian American General Board members will be completing their terms at the end of 2003 leaving only one member beginning in 2004. For the sake of representation and more importantly for the rich contribution that these board members can make to the larger denomination, a greater effort must be made to nominate and approve Asian Americans to serve on the General Board.
While reports come in that identify the beginning of new Asian fellowships that are seeking a denominational home like the ABC, USA, we have discovered how difficult it is to receive “new church planting” assistance. We will continue to work toward making the existing system more easily accessible to these thriving congregations.
And finally, I might say that against all obstacles and challenges that have come in the way of God’s work through us as American Baptists and specifically as Asian American Baptists, we continue to see miraculous ministries and activities all over. We pray that God will continue to bless us as American Baptists in our faith and work.