Theme: “Writing the Next Chapter”

The theme of the 2024 conference was “Writing the Next Chapter: Empowering Asian American Voices for Gospel Ministry”. The Asian American church today is at a unique inflection point with leaders in diverse stations across multiple generations. This conference was an opportunity to learn from these voices for the sake of continued and future Gospel work together. It took place on April 23-24, 2024.

Speakers List

• Aaron Chung (Founding Pastor, Exilic Church)
• Cameron Cole (Founding Chairman, Rooted Ministry)
• Cathy Chang (Director, New Life Counseling Center)
• Clark Fobes (Associate Pastor, FirstSF)
• Danny Kwon (Senior Director, Rooted Ministry)
• David Larry Kim (Lead Pastor, Harvest Church)
• Enoch Liao (Lead English Pastor, Boston Chinese Evangelical Church)
• Hanley Liu (English Lead Pastor, First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut)
• Harold Kim (Senior Pastor, Christ Central Southern California)
• Heidi Wong (Executive Director, Exilic Church)
• Jennifer Kira (Director of Women’s Ministry, Lighthouse Community Church)
• Joel Kim (President, Westminster Seminary California)
• Jonathan Holmes (Founder and Executive Director, Fieldstone Counseling)
• Kevin Yi (College and Young Adults Pastor, Church Everyday)
• Ken Shigematsu (Senior Pastor, Tenth Church)
• Kim Kira (Elder for Preaching, Lighthouse Community Church)
• Lloyd Kim (Coordinator, Mission to the World)
• Matthew Kim (Professor of Practical Theology, George W. Truett Theological Seminary)
• Owen Lee (Senior Pastor, Christ Central Presbyterian Church)
• Paul Kim (Director of Coaching, City to City LA)
• Ruth Chou Simons (Author)
• Soojin Park (Events Manager, The Gospel Coalition)
• Terrence Shay (Family Ministry Pastor, FCBC Walnut)
• Tim St. John (Counseling Pastor, Lighthouse Community Church)
• Will Chang (Investment Specialist, Geneva Benefits PCA)
• Evan Lee (Worship) (Associate Worship Director, Living Hope Community Church)
• Crafted Child (Worship) (Alternative Indie Band, Los Angeles)

Sponsoring Organizations

• Chinese Heritage Church Collaborative
• Korean American Leadership Initiative (KALI)
• Rooted Ministry
• SOLA Network

Seminar Info

• Session #1: “Power in Weakness”
  • Speaker(s): Harold Kim
  • Description: The more I understand and articulate my story of increasing weakness, the better I understand, appreciate and articulate the story of apostle Paul’s life and gospel ministry. What does it really mean for the power of God to be “made perfect in weakness”? How can we rest in this power?
• Session #2: “Gospel-Centered Counseling in the Church”
  • Speaker(s): Cathy Chang, Kim Kira, Tim St. John, Will Chang, and Hanley Liu (Moderator)
  • Description: Speaking the truth in love is a primary way our churches rehearse the gospel and grow more like Christ (Eph 4:15). That is why gospel-centered counseling is increasingly becoming a primary way for many churches to build a Christ-centered culture of care. In this panel, we’ll hear from different leaders of predominantly Asian-American churches and how they used gospel-centered counseling as a tool for equipping the saints to care for one another. 
• Session #3: “The Lord’s Servant”
  • Speaker(s): Enoch Liao
  • Description: In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy about preaching sound doctrine, fleeing temptation, and living in the power of the Spirit. What comes next? Practical instruction on working well with others for the sake of the Kingdom. We will consider ways a Christ-follower proves to be a worker approved by God in the context of local church ministry.
• Session #4a: “The Fellowship of the Suffering: Embodying the Presence of Christ so that None Would Walk Alone”
  • Speaker(s): David Larry Kim
  • Description: When a non-Christian suffers, a Christian often goes through the same kind of suffering so that the world can see the difference that Christ makes. How can we incarnate the life of Jesus in ways that show His nearness to those who are hurting? Hear some practical, pastoral tips to help the church and its leaders walk with those who are suffering.
• Session #4b: “Ministry, Burnout, and Self Care”
  • Speaker(s): Jonathan Holmes
  • Description: Ministry leaders today face enormous and ordinary challenges in their various contexts. Often, in the push and pull of caring for others, attentiveness to one’s own body and soul can be left by the wayside. In this breakout session, we will examine some of the common symptoms of burnout, discuss why this happens, and seek to offer a biblical view of self-care.
• Session #4c: “Developing a Gospel-Centered Women’s Ministry”
  • Speaker(s): Kim Kira and Jennifer Kira
  • Description: This seminar will aim to take a practical look at developing a gospel-centered women’s ministry by considering how a church can help women to trust and love Christ more, so that they would love more like Christ. It will look at some of the foundations and focuses of women’s ministry, as well as offer some clear first steps to take in establishing and building up such a ministry.
• Session #4d: “Family Discipleship and the Church”
  • Speaker(s): Cameron Cole, Clark Fobes, and Terrence Shay
  • Description: “How the Whole Church Can Disciple Young People” (Terrence Shay) provides an overview of how all people and all departments of a church can contribute to biblical discipleship of young people. “The Critical Need and Simple Direction for Equipping Parents to Disciple Kids” (Cameron Cole) paints a picture of how any church, regardless of size and resources, can facilitate an effective family discipleship ministry. “Ministry to the Modern Child” (Clark Fobes) explains how today’s youth are growing up in a shame / honor culture due to the ubiquity of social media and technology.
• Session #5: “Embracing the Sufficiency of Christ”
  • Speaker(s): Ruth Chou Simons
  • Description: Those in ministry can often feel like even their best and most genuine efforts are never enough. What does it look like to break cycles of striving and embrace Christ alone as the source and substance of ministry?
• Session #6: “The Next Chapter of Leadership: Humble(d) Yet Confident”
  • Speaker(s): Joel Kim
  • Description: Both the Bible and the history of the church are full of “turning points,” when the church is confronted with rapid changes and increasingly complex challenges. Most would agree that today is such a time. How do we as Christian leaders serve the church well in this changing environment? We look to the Scriptures to remind us of the limitations that we have as leaders but encourage us with the confidence in the Lord we serve as He Himself leads and guides.
• Session #7: “Better Together”
  • Speaker(s): Aaron Chung, Heidi Wong, Owen Lee, Soojin Park, and Hanley Liu (Moderator)
  • Description: How does the biblical basis of men and women working together for God’s kingdom translate to our modern day reality? Furthermore, how does this look like in the Asian American context? This panel will discuss the joys and reality checks of serving together on a church staff.
• Session #8: “Leading From Your True Self”
  • Speaker(s): Ken Shigematsu
  • Description: The experience of shame is more common than we think. It isn’t confined to people who have failed or gone through trauma. People who are immensely successful also feel they are not quite enough. Drawing on Ephesians 3:16-19 and using stories from his life, Ken Shigematsu shows how a deep, experiential encounter with the love of God can heal us from the shadow of shame and enable us to live and lead with greater joy and lightness of being—to become our true self—which most reflects the beautiful image of God.
• Session #9a: “Caring for Members through Abuse and Trauma”
  • Speaker(s): Jonathan Holmes
  • Description: Abuse and trauma seem to be popping up everywhere. Oftentimes church leaders are confused about how to understand these issues, but nonetheless want to offer godly concern and care. In this workshop, we’ll discuss some big picture principles on abuse and trauma and seek to offer gospel hope and counsel for those in need.
• Session #9b: “Finding Our Voice: A Vision for Asian American Preaching”
  • Speaker(s): Matthew Kim
  • Description: This workshop speaks into an issue that has largely been ignored: preaching in Asian American contexts. We will work through hermeneutics, theology, and homiletics and explore the importance of culturally sensitive and contextualized sermons for Asian American listeners.
• Session #9c: “Asian American Church Planting ”
  • Speaker(s): Paul Kim
  • Description: There is an urgent need to plant churches in general and Asian American churches in particular. Join us as we consider some of the needs, opportunities, and cultural issues for Asian American church plants and planters. 
• Session #9d: “Recruiting and Nurturing Volunteers”
  • Speaker(s): Danny Kwon and Kevin Yi
  • Description: Volunteers are the lifeblood of any thriving ministry, especially in Asian American churches.  But in the post-covid years, recruiting and leading volunteers has become harder and harder.  How can we as church leaders better lead and inspire our teams?  Join us for this practical workshop where we’ll help you address these challenges and give you practical tools to help make meaningful change at your church.
• Session #10: “The Asian American Church and the Call to Global Missions”
  • Speaker(s): Lloyd Kim
  • Description: Why has God established the Asian American Church? Certainly to be his witnesses here in North America, but is that where our witness ends? What role do we have in participating in God’s redemptive plan for the nations?