ABHMS’ Asian training series continues on April 21
VALLEY FORGE, PA (4/11/22)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ (ABHMS) Asian and Burmese Ministries is hosting a webinar 7-8:30 p.m. ET April 21 on “Social, Emotional, and Economic Health in the Midst of Racial Injustice” for ministry leaders of all identities and church roles.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, communities from diverse groups have faced various social, emotional and economic challenges. People of Asian descent, especially elderly immigrants, are afraid to use public transit for fear of attacks and have isolated themselves from socializing with friends and church members. Asian-owned businesses have been forced to close, resulting in high levels of unemployment. Racist rhetoric has caused fear, depression and mental stress at levels not previously seen by health care professionals, and acts of racism against Asian, Black, Latinx and Native Americans as well as other people of color are rising along with the cost of living.
Although the pandemic will one day come to an end as “endemic,” the effects of this season will be long-lasting for struggling families and communities. How can we, the church, respond and support people in being well, even as such conditions persist?
The Rev. Hyepin Im, founder and president/CEO of Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE), Los Angeles, will present findings on how the pandemic brought racial injustice that impacted the struggling communities. A panel will be comprised of the Rev. Sanchita Kisku, associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, Mich.; the Rev. Dr. Gerald Mann, senior pastor of Sunset Ministries, San Francisco; the Rev. Yana Cruz-Pagan, associate regional minister, American Baptist Churches of Connecticut; and Quinton Romannose, Watonga (Okla.) Indian Baptist Church and ABHMS board member. The Rev. Mia Chang, pastor of Nextgen Church, West Windsor, N.J., and ABHMS board member, will serve as moderator for the panel discussion.
The webinar will be conducted virtually and is open to the public. Enroll via ABHMS’ Center for Continuous Learning.
For more information, please contact the Rev. Florence Li at Florence.Li@abhms.org.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
