2024 Conference
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.
Recap Video
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)
Plenary Sessions
“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?
“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.
“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.
“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?
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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?
