Goals and Vision of the Asian American Language Ministry
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Goals for 2005-2008
- Continue implementation of congregational development plans
- Establish 20 new churches and 5 next generation ministries
- Provide culturally relevant Leadership development opportunities in 15 Asian languages, including training for pastors who are serving immigrant congregations
- Expand youth and young adult internships and leadership development
- Develop strategies to encourage Asian American congregations to better serve the spiritual, social, and physical needs of their communities
- Coordinate development of appropriate language worship and educational resources for 15 language groups and facilitate information sharing across the connection
- Identify innovative and cost-effective ways to produce language resources for small constituency groups
Vision: Mandated Areas for the Implementation
- Congregational Development
- Leadership Development
- Community/Outreach Ministry
- Language Resource Development
Goals for 2009-2012
Development of New Congregations
- Work cooperatively to develop new congregations in consultation with annual conferences and districts.
Recruitment and Training of Pastoral and Lay Leadership
- Develop language friendly and culturally appropriately leadership training programs.
- Provide local pastor licensing courses in specific Asian languages to equip pastors for ministry with their language groups.
- Equip and encourage Next generation leadership by helping to deal with current realities -- discrimination,generational conflicts, the need for cultural understandings, and living in a multicultural, multiracial society.
Development of Community Ministries
- Develop programs and services to better serve immigrants within their communities -- legal services, immigration/citizenship education, English as a second lan-gauge, social services, ministries to the poor (housing, employment, social services) -- and through faith-based community centers.
Development of Language Resources and Materials
- Develop relevant and culturally sensitive written materials, as well as audiovisual resources, in the areas of evangelism, Christian education, leadership development, stewardship, and worship.
A Success Story
First Chinese United Methodist Church in the Greater Atlanta Area:
As the only Chinese United Methodist congregation in the greater Atlanta area, First Chinese United Methodist Church has been very active in providing a place of worship and community services for the Chinese American community. In the past few years there has been a rapid growth of Chinese population in this area, and the trend is expected to continue.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Jiade Wu, who is also a network engineer, the ministry has experienced rapid growth in the past two years, increasing its attendance threefold. The target goal for adult attendance in worship by the end of the 2007 is 100. In addition to the spiritual growth opportunities of worship, Bible study,and fellowship, the church also offers Chinese language and Chinese art classes to minister to families in the area. This outreach effort has been very well received with participation of more than 40 children on any given Sunday afternoon.
This congregational development project was made possible through a joint partnership with the North Georgia Annual Conference, the Norcross United Methodist Church, and the General Board of Global Ministries/Asian American Language Ministries. The North Georgia Annual Conference leadership was intentional in identify-in this as a critical ministry of the church and provided the needed resources to get this ministry off the ground. The Norcross United Methodist Church generously provided the use of the facility and office supplies and considers this congregation to be a part of the "same family." With all of these entities pooling their resources together to breathe new life into this ministry,the result has been to invite and nurture many Chinese Americans -- both new and old Christians -- into the family of God. It is truly amazing to see how the Spirit of God is working through Rev. Wu and the leadership of this congregation to reach out to the growing population of Chinese Americans in the greater Atlanta area.
This is just one of many examples of how the Asian American Language Ministry Plan is making disciples of Jesus Christ among Asian Americans.
