A few members of AAIM got the chance to network with over a thousand pastors from across the country and world for the 5-day Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference in Jacksonville, FL. Over 20 sermons, 8 workshops and lots of networking and Next Gen talk helped solidify our purpose and mission.
AAIM got the chance to talk to the Florida Baptist Convention church planting division. After a presentation was done about the need for more churches in the American, African American, and Hispanic perspectives, they left out Asian American. After speaking up about the need for Asian American churches to the Southern Baptist Convention staff, I asked “How come there isn’t an Asian American presentation?” Very quickly I shared with them the vision of AAIM and what we are doing, they were encouraged and excited about helping out. A man by the name of Rev. Glenn Pollock said, “I have no doubt in my mind that we can help you resourcefully, whether you decide to go under our denomination or not. The reason why we don’t have an Asian American division is simply because there hasn’t been an Asian gentlemen like yourself to speak up to us about it. We would love to work with you!” Praise the Lord, all it was is a matter of speaking up.
For the past few years, after hearing from most Next Gen leaders and first generation pastors, there seems to be only frustration and apathy in working with the first generation. Most share with me that it’s simply a hopeless cause. They are too stubborn in their old ways and you are too young, they believe in hierarchy and respecting your elders, not listening to young people. If they do say they support the movement, they don’t really do anything. If they did want to help, they don’t know where they fit in the picture. And anyway, the Next Gen church movement competes against theirs, so why would they help? Of course, there are a few exceptions, thankfully. Well, for those of you out there, after many, many years of having to agree with you all, only through God’s full sovereignty, the tides are changing. The highlight of the weekend was a chance to share AAIM’s vision with just under a dozen first generation Vietnamese pastors from all over the Southeast and Texas. Tuesday night was an instrumental day for the future of the Asian American church. After a five minute testimony and speaking up on the need to get on the Next Gen movement with these first gen pastors, through the Holy Spirit working, hearts were changed.
Almost every pastor went up to me privately exchanging contact information and seeking how they could help in the movement. One pastor said, “I don’t believe we crossed path by accident, I believe it was God’s divine appointment. Let’s work together.” Their hearts and perspective are slowly changing, an intergenerational Asian American church body is one step closer in working together. To top it all off, the pastors met up and mentioned to me that 30-50 first generation Asian pastors are expected to be there next year, why not have you lead a workshop in “How to reach the Next Generation?” This is only the beginning…it’s time to speak up! Share with us your experiences in working with the First Generation, we want to learn from you.
