ORLANDO (BP) – Velma Chen of Coral Springs, Fla., squealed in amazement. She’d happened to sit at the same table as Gideon Lee of Milpitas, Calif. The two, who had known each other as teenage members of the same church in Hong Kong, met again at the Asian NextGen Pastors Network annual meeting June 8 at the Orange County Convention Center, which took place in the days preceding the SBC annual meeting.
Three groups of Chinese, who didn’t know each other, chose that table, as well as a man from South Asia.
“We are here to get to know one another better, see each other again after how many years, and be thankful to God for this privilege, the opportunity to be equipped, to be encouraged, to connect, to resource and to collaborate,” co-coordinator Hyung Lee told his 150 or more listeners from at least 10 ethnicities.
“We are the hub for English-speaking pastors and church leaders of Asia,” continued Lee, who also is pastor of the multiethnic Living Rock Church in Pasadena, Calif. “The genesis for this network is to encourage younger Asian brothers and sisters, specifically Millennials, Gen Z and I guess Gen Alpha, One of the reasons why is just to provide some space, because when most people think of Asian Americans, they think of our parents’ generation, who are more comfortable with the mother tongue than those of us who are more Americanized.”
Seasoned English-speaking leaders are needed in the Network as well, “to help encourage younger brothers and sisters along,” Lee said. “That’s part of our genesis: for older generations to pass the baton on to them.”
The Asian NextGen Pastors Network plans a theme for each annual meeting to provide “meat” to the milk of human kindness, fellowship and worship with peers. This year’s event included two TED Talks – technology, entertainment, design – on “Pursuing Ministry Longevity” and on pastors’ need for friendship with other pastors.
John Lee, pastor for about three years of First Baptist Church of Artesia, Calif., spoke about pastoral longevity.
“I really believe that pastoral friendships are essential to a long ministry,” John Lee said. “Pastoral fellowships can aid in producing what we would call discipling relationships, whether it’s within a church or among pastors with each other. You and I know that programs cannot be a replacement for people.
John Lee gave three advantages of pastoral friendships:
- A pastor can get so focused on what the church he leads does that he can lose sight of what the Lord is doing in other places. “It’s helpful for me and all my flock to remember my church isn’t the center of God’s kingdom on earth,” John Lee said.
- Pastors need strong Christian men who love and support them, but also challenge their human complacency and lazy argumentation.
- A knowing look from a fellow pastor can bless the soul, John Lee said. “The encouragement you give to another pastor has the potential to reach more than just him.”
It was during the table discussion after John Lee spoke that Chen learned her tablemate was someone she hadn’t seen or heard of for more than 30 years. “I can’t believe it,” Chen repeatedly exclaimed.
Hoon Im, the Asian Affinity team manager at Guidestone Financial Resources, spoke about longevity in ministry.
“God said, ‘deny yourself,’” Im said. “He didn’t say, ‘neglect yourself.’ We are called to important work over the long course of life, so we must pay attention to ourselves.
“Pay close attention to your life and your teaching,” Im said. “Persevere in these things, for in doing this, you will save both yourself and your hearers. Use trusted experts to guide you.”
God gives life, and it is as important to be as good a steward of it as it is to be a good financial steward, the GuideStone representative said.
GuideStone, as much a Southern Baptist entity as are the mission boards, ERLC or its six seminaries, has been serving ministry leaders since 1918, the end of the First World War, Im said. Today it partners with more than 250,000 individuals, serves 25,000 churches, ministries and organizations, and is active in all 50 states and 80 nations.
Im itemized physical, emotional, spiritual and financial aspects of good stewardship for life given by God.
“Start small and build up,” Im said. “Start with easy things.” Go for a walk after a meal instead of sitting on the couch was one of his suggestions. “Save $10 a month to start, but if you can do $50, your state convention provides free life insurance, free disability insurance.
“Start now. Start today. Don’t wait,” Im urged his listeners, adding that 78 percent of people say they wished they had started saving earlier because of the benefit of compound interest. “Do whatever you can. Force yourself.”
Adam Groza, president of Gateway Seminary, had dropped by the Asian NextGen Pastors’ Network gathering, and was invited to say a few words.
“We need to stand together and support each other,” Groza said. “If God has called you to ministry, He’s called you to train. Or maybe you want to do the next degree. I just want you to know we want to support you and see it happen.”
Victor Chayasirisobhon, executive director of the Asian Collective, encouraged training, saying he now has 16 degrees and is working on two more, on his way to having a degree from each of Southern Baptists’ six seminaries.
Chayasirisobhon called Asian NextGen Pastors network co-coordinator Hyung Lee to the stage, and Lee’s young son, Judson.
“This is why I work so hard,” the Asian Collective leader said, holding Judson as he removed the Thai version of a Donald Duck watch he had worn since he was a child. He gave it to Judson, saying, “This is now your watch, so that you know it’s your time.”
Karen L. Willoughby is a national correspondent for Baptist Press.
Lee expressed appreciation to event sponsors, including the SBC Executive Committee, which provided the meeting space, Crossway Publishing, Guidestone Financial Resources, Gateway Seminary, International Mission Board, Chinese Baptist Fellowship and Orange County Southern Baptist Foundation of California.
Related posts:
WMU elects new president, emphasizes what is ‘meant for the mission’ 
Wide range of SBC ethnic fellowships to meet in Orlando 
Women’s gatherings, panel discussions among many ancillary events offered in New Orleans 
Pastors’ Conf. opening session urges ministers to follow God’s plan 
2022 Book of Reports released 
Humility, mourning extolled as Pastors’ Conference opens 
NextGen Asian American pastors go ‘all in’ 
National African American Fellowship continues five-year Vision 2030
