KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Rev. Dr. Mia Chang
Rev. Dr. Mia Chang is the founder and lead pastor and planter of NextGen Church in Princeton Junction West Windsor, New Jersey.
Rev. Chang was ordained in 2008 by the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey. She completed her Master of Divinity studies at the Alliance Theological Seminary in New York City, and obtained her Doctor of Ministry at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University.
She planted NextGen Church in 2008, a multi-ethnic community of faith, and since then, she has co-led the plant of New Hights Christian Church in Hightstown and planted the NGO called Africa River of Life, where she serves as the founder and trustee.
Rev. Chang began her vocation as a teacher in the New York City public schools after graduating from Pace University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She resides in Princeton Junction, NJ.
SCHEDULE
| 8:00am – 8:30am | Registration/Exhibition Booths/ Coffee & Donuts |
| 8:30am – 9:15am | Opening Worship |
| 9:30am – 10:45am | MORNING WORKSHOPS |
|
1. |
Building Lasting Bridges: Authentic Intercultural Relationships – Rev. Katie Choy-Wong |
|
2. |
Trends in World Christianity, 1900–2050 – Dr. Gina Zurlo |
| 3. | Fertilizing & Staking: Discipleship Through Capacity Building – Brian & Lynette Smith |
| 11:00am – 11:50am | Panel Discussion with Intercultural Churches/ Ministries |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | LUNCH |
| 1:15pm – 2:30pm | AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS |
| 1. |
Beyond Barriers: Bible-Centered Boundary Crossing – Rev. Dr. Willard Ashley, Sr. |
| 2. |
Intercultural Ministry and Intersectionality – Rev. Dr. Ji-Sun Kim |
| 3. |
Taking Steps into a Multicultural World – Deborah Fukuda |
| 2:45pm – 4:00 pm |
Closing Worship – Rev. Dr. Mia Chang |
|
Communion |
|
|
Benediction |
REGISTER AND PAY
Early Bird registration $50 before October 6th.
As of October 7th, the cost is $60.
HOTEL
WORKSHOPS/ FACLITATORS/SPEAKERS
Rev. Rev. Dr. Sharon Koh
Sharon is grateful to be serving as the Executive Director/CEO of American Baptist International Ministries (IM).
Her passion for God’s mission is unmistakable and contagious, and she is usually looking for ways that we can work together to bring God’s Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Her 15 years as a pastor gave her a breadth of experiences in leadership before she stepped into the CEO role at IM. Her 8 years here have convinced her that IM has the very best missionaries/global servants and staff in the world. Sharon has a sharp mind and a passionate heart, and she works very hard towards excellence in all that she does.
Her interests include travel and food in as many places and cultures as possible.
Building Lasting Bridges: Authentic Intercultural Relationships
This workshop is designed for laity and leaders who desire to embark on a journey toward having authentic relationships with others who are culturally different. The workshop will examine ourselves as ethnic/cultural beings, help us acquire a better understanding of culture, ethnocentrism and cultural bias, learn to appreciate differences as we culturally uplift each other, and begin to develop tools for this journey. The workshop is interactive and requires participants to fully engage to gain valuable insights, resources, and life changing practices. This workshop is based on the Judson Press Book, Building Lasting Bridges: An Updated Handbook for Intercultural Ministries by Kathryn Choy-Wong, Lucia Ann McSpadden, and Dale M. Weatherspoon. The book comes with a free online workbook available through Judson Press. The book and e-book is also available on Amazon.
Rev. Kathryn (Katie) Choy-Wong
Rev. Kathryn Choy-Wong (Katie) is a consultant, trainer and writer in intercultural ministries. Since 2003, Katie is a co-founder and senior trainer of the former i-Relate Institute, an Intercultural Leadership Institute, which trains pastors, lay leaders and churches in working interculturally. She has been a consultant for American Baptist churches and organizations, as well as United Methodist and local Bay Area churches.
Her passion for churches, missions, and social justice is long-standing. She served as Director of the Northern California Food Network, in the area of hunger and homeless ministries. Following
her seminary internship and serving as Associate Minister at the Community Baptist Church in San Mateo, Katie then served as Director of Asian Ministries of National Ministries, ABC-USA (now American Baptist Home Mission Societies), Area Minister for the American Baptist Churches of the West (now Growing Healthy Churches), and Admissions Director/Instructor at American Baptist Seminary of the West (now Berkeley School of Theology).
Katie recently retired from New Life Christian Fellowship, an American Baptist Church, in Castro Valley, California, after serving as staff from 2000-2003, co-pastor 2003- 2004, then senior pastor from 2004-2019. New Life became multi-cultural under Katie’s leadership having 13 different ethnic groups as members of the church as well as socio-economic diversity with homeless, formerly addicted and incarcerated, middle class, and college educated professionals. Her pastoral staff included a Chinese-American, a Naga-American, a Ghanaian, and a Nigerian-American.
Katie is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Berkeley School of Theology and chair of the Ordination Committee for the American Baptist Churches of the Central Pacific Coast Region of ABCUSA. In 2023 Katie was awarded the Cora and John Sparrowk President’s Award at the ABCUSA Biennial in Puerto Rico. Katie is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a BA in journalism and earned her MDiv from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley. Katie was ordained in December 1980. Katie was baptized at First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco along with her husband Arthur. They have an adult son, Jordan.
Beyond Barriers: Bible-Centered Boundary Crossing
Rev. Dr. Willard Ashley, Sr.
The Reverend Dr. Willard Walden Christopher Ashley, Sr. is the President and CEO of Dr. Willard Ashley Sr., LLC. Through his LLC, Dr. Ashley is in demand as a keynote speaker, preacher, consultant, educator, psychoanalyst, marriage and family therapist, and group therapist.
Dr. Ashley is the second African American in the long history of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary to be granted tenure. He made history as the first African American Dean of the Seminary. Dr. Ashley is an Advisory Board Member of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School. Ashley teaches Doctor of Social Work students at Rutgers University and New York University (NYU).
Since 1996, he has been the founder and senior pastor of the Abundant Joy Community Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. His pastoral journey began in 1982, and he has since served as senior pastor at four American Baptist churches.
Dr. Ashley has authored four articles in The Men of Color Study Bible, published four books, and contributed to numerous articles and chapters. His reach extends to the media, having hosted a program on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and appeared on radio in New York City.
Rev. Ashley was a staff psychotherapist at The Riverside Church, New York City. He is a fellow in The American Association of Marriage Family Therapists. Ashley also holds memberships in Black Psychoanalysts Speak, the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis.
Dr. Ashley has received numerous awards. He is in Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World. He is the proud father of an adult son, Chris, and is married to Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley, MD, FAAP, MPH. Dr. Ashley and his wife, Tanya, are emotional support humans to Serafina, their 13-pound Shih Tzu.
Trends in World Christianity, 1900–2050
In 1900, only 18% of Christians lived in what the United Nations defines as the “global South” –Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. By 2020, however, this number had grown to 67%, and future projections estimate this figure will rise to 77% by 2050. This workshop will explore the reasons behind and the implications of Christianity’s demographic shift to the global South, now that there are more Christians in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania than Europe and North America. We will examine the diverse expressions of Christianity, including Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Pentecostalism, and other traditions. Additionally, we will explore trends across different continents and consider the ways in which Christians interact with people of other faiths. The presentation will also address contemporary issues facing Christians today, such as the importance of historical studies, climate activism, and women’s rights.
Dr. Gina A. Zurlo
Gina A. Zurlo, Ph.D. is a Visiting Scholar in World Christianity at Harvard Divinity School (Cambridge, MA). She is also Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, and her research focuses on World Christianity, sociology of religion, and women’s studies. Her most recent books include Global Christianity: A Guide to the World’s Largest Religion from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe (Zondervan Academic, 2022), Women in World Christianity: Building and Sustaining a Global Movement (Wiley-Blackwell, 2023), and From Nairobi to the World: David B. Barrett and the Re-Imagining of World Christianity (Brill, 2023).
She was named one of the BBC’s 100 most inspiring and influential women of 2019 for her work in quantifying the religious future.
Intercultural Ministry and Intersectionality
In a globalized world where migration and movement are happening and cultures are coming together, the church needs to rethink how to engage in effective ministry that takes into consideration the many cultures that exist in our society and in our churches. This workshop will focus on what it means to engage in intercultural ministry and how intersectionality impacts our ministry. We will examine the key tenants of Intersectional Theology and how this theology will help us rethink our understanding of God and God’s presence in the world, which in turn will impact how we do intercultural ministry. This workshop will challenge how intercultural ministry will push us towards justice, peace, and love.
Rev. Dr. Ji-Sun Kim
Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Ph.D. University of St. Michael’s College) was born in Korea, educated in Canada and now teaches in the USA as Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, Indiana. She is the author or editor of 24 books, most recently, When God Became White, Suffering God, Invisible, and Spirit Life.
Kim is the host of Madang podcast which is sponsored by the Christian Century. She blogs on her substack: Loving Life and has written for Huffington Post, The Nation, Sojourners, Baptist News Global, Faith and Leadership and TIME. Kim has appeared on MSNBC, PBS and C-Span. She has been a guest on BBC Radio, Soul Search Radio, WBEZ Radio, and Keep Hope Alive Radio. She is an ordained PC (USA) minister and enjoys being a guest preacher on most Sundays. She is a book series Co-Editor for Palgrave Macmillan Series, “Asian Christianity in the Diaspora,” and has served on the American Academy of Religion’s Board of Directors.
Kim is honored to be included in the Englewood Review of Books list of Ten Important Women Theologians That You Should Be Reading and Sojourners included Kim as one of 8 Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2023.
Taking Steps into a Multicultural World
Dive into the heart of unity with our interactive and child-friendly workshop based on 1 Corinthians 12! Emphasizing the importance of living in harmony, this class encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and truly connect with others. You’ll learn to understand and appreciate different cultures, fostering mutual respect and genuine connections. Through engaging activities, attendees will develop practical actions and strategies to carry forward into their daily lives. Join us for a fun, enlightening experience that brings the spirit of unity to life!
Deborah Fukuda
Deborah Fukuda was raised within The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM), primarily attending Second Baptist Palmer and First Baptist Mansfield. She also participated in camps at Grotonwood and Oceanwood. Ms. Fukuda pursued a year of theological study at Andover Newton Theological Seminary before transitioning to a career in education. As an educator, she has worked with adult learners and high school students in English as a Second Language (ESOL) programs. Presently, she serves as an ESOL professor at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA where she most recently assisted with serving the Haitian refugee population. Additionally, Ms. Fukuda and her husband, Seiya, are permanent foster parents to two teenage refugees. She is the author of the children’s book, A Walk in Town.
Fertilizing & Staking: Discipleship Through Capacity Building
We will engage in discussion about discipleship work in the area of capacity building. Each community, ministry, pastor, leader, and person are unique, which means no one formula or program functions for all. Each one has dignity, value, purpose, and is worthy of love, contribution, and acceptance.
Working through the lens of Original Blessing and Asset Based Community Development, let us engage together about seeking WHOLE-istic development and the empowering of individuals and communities.
Let’s talk about some of your wonderings, such as: How did we hear God’s call? What does the life a global servant (missionary) look like? How do we discern how to, when to, and what help to give? If not all are called to GO, then how are we each to fulfill the command of the Great Commission?
Come with your questions and we will have some for you! Not as a test, but for thought provoking discussion where we pray God will reveal for each of us how we are Called To More… “more today than yesterday, and a little bit more tomorrow.”
Brian & Lynette Smith
Brian and Lynette serve among Haitians and Dominicans in partnership with Mission Maranatha Inc. to build sustainable ministries on the island of Hispaniola.
Living in the Dominican Republic, and drawing from their experiences in Haiti, they are working to build strong relationships with church and community leaders as they encourage existing ministries and seek creative ways to accomplish God’s vision alongside communities.
Brian is using his developed skills in business management to teach budgeting and step-by-step goal achievement. Lynette utilizes her skills as a doula and in Community Health Evangelism (CHE) to accompany and listen to the stories of the community members. Both incorporate the principles of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) to empower people to be holistically well in mind, body and spirit and reach out to others in ways that speak love, preserve dignity and create unity as the body of Christ.