American Baptists Celebrate Asian American Church History

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Baptists representing 12 ethnic groups traveled from across the United States to attend the Asian American Baptist Women's Conference and the Asian American Baptist Convocation and Mission Conference in Oakland, Calif. The conferences, which marked a historic milestone in the life of Asian American Baptists, featured workshops, presentations and discussions about the past, present and future developments in Asian-American missions.

Over 135 participants attended the Women’s Conference, which was entitled, “Navigating the Journey of Ministry, Empowering Women in Ministry. The conference featured two workshops led by clergy, and a speech by the Rev. Jenny Quey, senior pastor of Community Baptist Church in San Mateo, Calif.

Meanwhile, the Asian American Baptist Convocation and Mission Conference, entitled, “Go Global, Engage Local,” featured presentations, a labyrinth walk, “art of paper cutting” walk, and a time for testimonies.

The keynote speaker Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, general secretary of the Philippines' National Council of Churches, delivered the message, "Interpreting the Great Commission in Asia Today,” during the Sept 17-18 conference.

According to the American Baptist Church, which sponsored the conference, “the workshops, presentations and discussions resulted in deeper fellowship and renewed relationships among participants.”

They wrote: “Many expressed a desire for more opportunities to wrestle with Asian American issues across denominational lines and to strengthen mutual understanding and support of one another. It was clear that this is a necessary juncture to cross towards a strengthened Body of Christ, both in part and in whole.”