Asian Southern Baptist Leaders Meet at IMB in Richmond, Virginia

Twenty Asian American leaders representing seven ethnicities gathered at the International Mission Board in Richmond, Virginia, May 2-4 to explore opportunities to reach the nations. According to the report, it was the first time Asian leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention had met collectively with IMB leaders to learn, encourage one another and commit to new levels of cooperation to advance the gospel. Participants included local pastors, state fellowship directors and representatives of Southern Baptist entities.

The gathering came as IMB’s efforts to mobilize Asians moved forward alongside increased involvement of Asian churches within the SBC. Peter Yanes, associate vice president of Asian American relations and mobilization for the SBC Executive Commission, attended, as did Victor Chayasirisobhon, president of the California Southern Baptist Convention and first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Representatives from GuideStone Financial Services also took part. The source notes that Asian Southern Baptist leaders from nine states came to discuss missions partnerships with the IMB, and that Ezra Bae, IMB’s Asian church mobilization strategist, organized the event.

Bae said he had prayed for the meeting for a long time and rejoiced to see many nationalities meeting together. He told participants that the gathering would be a good opportunity to know one another and build a strong and secure relationship between Asian Southern Baptist churches and the IMB. He also expressed the hope that all Asian American Southern Baptist churches would engage with the IMB in carrying out the Great Commission through praying, giving, going and sending.

Bae reported that 280 Asian IMB missionaries are currently serving, the largest ethnic representation of missionaries currently serving with the IMB. He said he would like to see more Asian American missionaries sent from churches and more Asian churches supporting them. The source states there are more than 2,000 Asian congregations in the SBC.

Participants heard how the IMB can resource and equip congregations to build missions into their identity rather than treating it as an activity. The IMB said it wants to offer resources that help congregations develop their own culturally appropriate strategies. Presentations covered the missionary application process and service opportunities ranging from short-term trips to career appointments, and the group discussed the possibility of a joint discovery trip for Asian leaders.

IMB President Paul Chitwood emphasized the value of strengthening relationships between Asian fellowships and the IMB. “We need more missionaries,” he said. “Please send those candidates our way and see if God is leading them to serve with the IMB. They will be sent from your churches to reach the nations.”

Hre Mang attended the event representing Burmese fellowships. He is senior pastor of Falam Christian Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, national coordinator of Myanmar Baptist Churches USA, and vice president of Crossroad Baptist Association. Mang first became involved with the IMB in 2020, when he contacted Bae for more information about growing his church’s missions involvement. The following year, his church hosted a missions training conference for local congregations. Mang said that as a result, his church has sent a short-term mission team every year with IMB missionaries, and that one family is now preparing for a long-term mission. He also plans to lead a group of college students on a mission trip to Panama later this summer. Involving younger generations, specifically second-generation Asian Americans, was a frequent topic of conversation at the Richmond event.

Source: Read the original report