AAPM-SEAPI Milestones 040209

AAPM‐SEAPI Milestones: 2004‐2008
This is a compilation of photos and stories that
displays God’s work of grace in the lives of
Asian pastors, women, and youth leaders
serving in the U.S. and Canada.
Sometimes funny, sometimes tearful…
All in all, deeply meaningful and life‐changing
as a result of regular face‐to‐face peer learning,
praying, laughter, and growth in grace.
Our overflowing thanks to God for the Lilly‐CRC
SPE Program for making these possible.
AAPM‐SEAPI Milestones, 2004‐2008
Retreat 1: July 5‐7, 2004 in Aurora, Colorado
Retreat 2: March 7‐10, 2005 in Lake Tahoe, NV
Retreat 3: Aug 2‐4, 2005 in Stony Point, NY
Retreat 4: Feb 27‐Mar 2, 2006 in Hayward, CA
Retreat 5: Sep 18‐21, 2006 in Lake Geneva, WI
Retreat 6: June 5‐7, 2007 in Grand Rapids, MI (Summit I)
Retreat 7: June 3‐5, 2008 in Long Scraggy Ranch, CO
Retreat 8: Oct 29‐Nov 1, 2008 in Winfield, IL
Retreat 9: August 3‐6, 2009 in Winfield, IL (Summit II)
It all began in 1999 when Home Missions formed the “Asian Planning Group”
A meeting in La Palma, CA 2002
• With changes in CRC Home Missions resources, the
Asian Planning Group was guided to become a peer
learning group under the CRC‐Lilly Endowment
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program.
• In December 2003, the group was awarded its first
grant and began its work as a self‐managed and self‐
directed voluntary group called “Asian‐American
Pastoral Ministry” (AAPM).
• In June 2007, as a result of the eager participation
of 54 church pastors, women and youth leaders in
the first Leadership Summit, the group changed its
name to “Southeast Asian & Pacific Islands CRCs
(SEAPI).
Retreat #1 of 8
July 5‐7, 2004
Radisson Hotel, Aurora CO
held alongside with a seminar
by the Calvin Institute of Worship
Retreat #1 of 8: July 5‐7, 2004
Radisson Hotel, Aurora, Colorado
What made this retreat unique?
as a self‐managed and self‐directed group, we began
with a lot of baby steps
group unity and shared purpose were quickly put to
the test
we were all humbled by the hard work of our host,
Pastor John Kim and the Cambodian CRC in Aurora
as the retreat ended, we realized all of us are in the
garden because of God’s grace alone
we were thankful for the able coaching by Tong Park
and Mike & Lois Vanderpol
AAPM nor SEAPI haven’t started without what?
After watching all retreat photos, you likely would conclude
that our retreats began with food, always!
Formal or not, whatever table setting,
we are contented and quite satisfied.
With friends from the Calvin Institute of Worship
and the nearby CRCs in Denver.
How do Asians celebrate 30 years of married life?
Vietnamese food is the best! Just look at those smiles!
I think Mike prefers Chinese having been a
missionary in Taiwan for 20 years.
Our official group photo! Taken somewhere at the
basement of the Radisson Hotel in Aurora.
(Lovely) women is not an issue in Asian CRCs.
We’re surrounded by them, thankfully!
In all our retreats, we thought it best to hold these
where there is a nearby Asian CRC. Reason: to
fellowship and worship with them even for a few hours.
This retreat humbled us to be reminded we are all in
the garden of our God because of His grace alone!
(Meet Mr & Mrs Noah‐am Kieu)
These praying hills reminded us to pray much!
Asians can eat anywhere they want,
as long as there’s Asian food of course!
Rock of Ages… a logo for SEAPI?
Matthew: I’ll FedEx this rock to CA.
Socheth: Sorry, you’re late. UPS is packing it today to MI.
SEAPI’s main cathedral of the future?
Retreat #1: July 5‐7, 2004 in Aurora,CO
What did we learn?
• Being our first retreat, we did baby steps
• We prayed and tried our best to continue as a
peer learning group
• We ended well with hopes for more and
greater learning, including some humbling
• We felt the need to take a serious look at our
unique character and leadership tendencies
Retreat #2 of 8
March 7‐10, 2005
Zephyr Point Presbyterian
Conference Center
Lake Tahoe, NV
Retreat #2 of 8: March 7‐10, 2005
Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
It was sheer joy to see us teaching one another
with much eagerness and no pressure
The warmth of fellowship and praying for one
another kept us from the cold surroundings of Lake
Tahoe
Did I say praying? Yes, this retreat powerfully
moved us to pray to become the high point of all
retreats!
With Esteban Lugo’s urging, we began to look
beyond our group…
Everybody is serious about teaching and learning,
except Matthew!
Asian pastors’ wives are serious about their faith and
their husbands’ ministry, as modeled by Tina here.
This was just our 2nd retreat. You’d be amazed to hear each
speak up about his/her heart for the Lord and His church.
These SPE retreats were not just vacations! Everyone
studied and discussed with all seriousness!
Now this looks more like a vacation and a good break!
This retreat’s official group photo taken on the shore of
Lake Tahoe with the Sierra Mountains in the background.
A taste of heaven! Praise God!
Lake Tahoe Lesson #1: Not easy to follow what is being discussed?
Follow the leader! Drink good old Reformed coffee!
Lake Tahoe Lesson #2: If coffee does not help and you’re still not
getting what the speaker is saying? Pinch yourself!
Lake Tahoe Lesson #3: Couldn’t agree with each other?
Share a laugh together! God wants us to enjoy each other.
Lake Tahoe Lesson #4: When sessions go too long, play a game
on your cell phone. “Lois, where’s the on button on this thing?”
Lake Tahoe Lesson #5: Asian hand‐martial arts (Dutch too) help
bring your message across in powerful ways!
Lake Tahoe Lesson #5: Asian martial arts (Dutch too) help bring
your message across in powerful ways!
These photos change the old saying in another way.
“Behind a good pastor’s wife is a good pastor‐husband!”
John: “Matthew, are you now in selling Christian books?”
Matthew: “No, but these guys (John Maxwell and Rick Warren)
had taught me a lot! I want to be God’s kind of a leader!”
What stood out at the Lake Tahoe retreat?
We began to pray together and for each other.
Prayer circles like these began in Lake Tahoe.
And became a regular, indispensable part of our subsequent
retreats – before, during, and after. God moved us to pray!
Matthew: “Nope, I didn’t do it. Brother San ate all of these!
Remember, I just sell books by Rick Warren and John Maxwell.”
Retreat #2, March 7‐10, 2005
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
What did we learn?
With humility, enthusiasm, and seriousness, we
taught and learned from each other
We saw a real need to pray for one another
We made a covenant to keep each other in our
prayers
We were reminded to appreciate our ethnicity, as well
as our role and contribution to help break down racial
barriers for a more God‐honoring and stronger CRC
We progressed in our sense of purpose to share to
other Asian CRCs what God had been doing in our group
Retreat #3 of 8
August 1‐4, 2005
Stony Point Presbyterian
Conference Center, NY
Retreat #3 of 8, August 1‐4, 2005
Stony Point Presbyterian Conference Center, New York
we began to have a deep sense and appreciation of
God’s work in each of our life timelines
realizing the value of peer group learning, we
seriously planned our next steps as an SPE group
we didn’t just plan for our group of 10 pastors, we
saw the need to share what we’ve learned to the
other Asian CRCs
we committed to collaborate and help build
healthier Asian CRCs by actively involving ourselves in
classical and denominational efforts
Now you see the pattern… we retreat to feast!
So Asian! What is Dutch‐looking guy thinking?
Pastors and spouses sat together, learned and inspired
by each other’s victories and challenges in our lives
and ministries… and we saw how God was so involved
We were so amazed to see all events in our life timelines
were in fact God preparing us for what we’re doing today!
And in seeing the big picture of God’s work in us, we realized
there was nothing to regret about.
In our travels, we
were not just
sightseeing. We
were actually
scouting where
to locate the
future SEAPI
headquarters.
We said this
could be a great
spot! (Don’t you
think so?)
In SEAPI, we learned so much about generational gaps.
We had 2 groups: the young and the young‐at‐heart!
SEAPI pastors tried their best to catch up with things
we were not taught in seminary.
Like playing computer games?
In his very busy ministry among the Korean CRCs and
Classis Southern California, Tong Park gave a good part
of his time to teach us. Deeply appreciated!
This was Pastor Kou Vang’s first time with our group.
He poured his heart out to us and we embraced him
as long‐time brothers and sisters in the Lord. He found
a group he can be most comfortable with! PTL!
In our retreats, we were convinced of the value in
having both with pastor and wife learning together .
Asian “circles of fire” – a fitting description for a group
of men and women who after some days of peer
learning get so fired up by Holy Spirit!
Beneath those smiles are lasting friendships and
deeply personal and a shared appreciation of God’s
amazing grace in their lives and ministries.
These Asians, they really like to pose before a camera, like
one large family gathering. (Thanks to digital cameras!)
Asian pastors are always ‘poised’ to lead!
QUIZ: Who does not belong to this group?
Retreat #3 of 8, August 1‐4, 2005
Stony Point Presbyterian Conference Center, New York
What did we learn?
we began to have a deep sense and appreciation of
God’s work in each of our life timelines
realizing the value of peer group learning, we
seriously planned our next steps as an SPE group
we didn’t just plan for our group of 10 pastors, we
saw the need to share what we’ve learned to the
other Asian CRCs
we committed to collaborate and help build
healthier Asian CRCs by actively involving ourselves in
classical and denominational efforts
Retreat #4 of 8
February 27‐March 2, 2006
Christ’s Community Church
Hayward, California
Retreat #4: February 27‐March 2, 2006
Christ’s Community Church, Hayward, CA
We were privileged with 12‐hours of heartfelt
participation by Jerry Dykstra, who was then Deputy
for CRC Denominational Ministries
He came with skepticism and left our group with
promise and hope for what AAPM was doing to help
create healthier Asian CRCs
at the foot of our Lord’s Cross, we made a
commitment to continue AAPM through the SPE
Program
The best background we ever had for our group
photos! What else but the Cross of our Lord!
It must have been the all‐in‐one Chinese,
Japanese, and Mongolian dinner buffet!
Jerry stayed and focused with us for 12 hours straight!
Now you know what an all‐in‐one Chinese,
Japanese, and Mongolian dinner buffet can do!
It can make pastors, Asian or not, look so nice and cute!
During our first evening session, Jerry Dykstra taught us
about building and sustaining healthy churches.
Next day, we told Jerry about our dreams,
efforts, including sacrifices to do just that.
In a little room at the CRC in Hayward, Jerry heard up
close personal stories of 10 different Asian churches and
ethnic groups, from the U.S. and Canada.
Near the end of the day, we could only sing and be
thankful about… “How great Thou art!”
… and in realizing how each one of us, including Jerry,
could continue to minister to God’s people to this day…
… we gave thanks and sang “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
As Jerry closed his 12‐hour marathon with our group,
he was moved by the stories of pastors and their
wives as they continued to be faithful serving small,
struggling but promising Asian churches
In our modest Asian way of gratitude, we presented
Jerry with a wooden plaque. He said he’ll have a place
for it in his office in Grand Rapids. Thanks JD!
The Hayward retreat will always be remembered as a special
time (12 hours only!) with Jerry Dykstra.
A year later, Synod appointed him CRC Executive Director.
These fellows are definitely not Jerry’s deputies.
They’re just happy to come out strong and
inspired after a 12‐hour retreat day.
We were so moved by this retreat such that we…
“left our hearts in San Francisco”
Then we had some fun! The ladies did! With pearls!
(Hhhmm, Jerry did you, out of the goodness of your heart,
leave your credit card with any of them?
What do you know!
Our SEAPI ladies found the bridge to somewhere!
Remember we’re scouting for good SEAPI sites.
We found this in SF’s Fisherman’s Wharf!
An exciting place for “fishers of men and women”!
Ahhh, seafood! We everything we see!
San: “Pastor Albert, try to use your spoon or fork,
not your hands, please.”
Albert: “Sorry, but hands
were created for a reason.”
Fernando: “Albert, your hands on my side might be
misinterpreted by our church members and synodical
deputies! We might not be allowed in SF anymore!
Didn’t you know?
Vickie does part‐time
modeling for Intel!
Ex‐boat refugees Pastor Nam and Sis.Lien were so
happy to help these well‐dressed SEAPI refugees???
Guess who’s inside the paper bag?
Why would an Asian pastor hide
inside a bag?
Despite the difficulties and needs of our ministries, we
thank God for giving us moments of laughter and joy!
Asian
pastors can
be great
comedians!
Asian pastors ‘poised’ for leadership – Part II!
Who does
not belong
to this
group?
Oh what charming and smart wives they are!
Our Asian CRC pastors are so blessed!!!
It’s always a special moment for us to have
Communion with a local congregation!
This was at the New Hope Korean’s English
ministry group in Santa Clara, CA.
Unique Asian expressions of Communion with the Lord…
At the end of a marathon retreat with Jerry Dykstra,
we were thankful to have fellowship with the
New Hope Korean CRC’s English ministry group.
Retreat #4: February 27‐March 2, 2006
Christ’s Community Church, Hayward, CA
What did we learn?
our peer learning group process helped us grow in
self‐confidence and the vision of building healthier
local churches
because of our knowledge of our homelands, we
could collaborate with World Missions
though we were a small group, we formed a
leadership team to implement agreed next steps
at the foot of our Lord’s Cross, we made a
commitment to continue AAPM through the SPE
Program
Retreat #5 of 8
September 18‐21, 2006
Lake Geneva Conference Center, WI
Retreat #5: September 18‐21, 2006
Lake Geneva Conference Center, WI
we used the book “Celebration of Discipline” to
deepen our spiritual walk with the Lord
we tried to understand what God’s Word is
teaching us about spiritual disciplines
we shared and challenged each other how we are
doing in our spiritual disciplines
through the simulated rock‐climbing facility, we
learned how to work and reach Spirit‐led goals
Contrary to what these stairs may suggest,
we don’t set up a hierarchy in our group.
We’re all ‘Asian dictators’ of equal standing… sinners before God!
This beautiful conference site by Lake Geneva had a
wonderful effect on all of us! We all looked young
and good‐looking, especially the white‐haired man!
Lake Geneva Conference Center is very green,
so relaxing and peaceful. Praise God!
We were so encouraged by the eager participation of
two new members: James (Chinese CRC in Iowa) and
Nathan (Hmong CRC in Lansing, MI). Welcome aboard!
No, they’re not asking for more food.
They’re expressing worship with great freedom.
No, they’re not taking a college prep exam.
They’re reviewing Foster’s Celebration of Discipline,
a must‐read classic for spiritual formation!
Pastor Nathan engaged us with his youthful energy
and enthusiasm for God’s Word and His church.
Are they going on a “relaxed treasure hunt” or what?
No, they’re enjoying the so‐green and fresh scenery.
Suddenly, they seemed to have gone to God’s glory!
Ooopps, wrong camera setting. Sorry…
It’s a bird! No, UFO? What could they be looking at?
Looks like Asian monkeys just learning to climb,
dressed in men’s clothes, and sporting yellow hardhats.
Oh, they’re real people! Oh, they’re pastors too!
And they’re going up, up , and away!!!
Lien and Vickie:
“Let’s show our husbands we can do this too!”
Lien and Vickie: “See, we made it! In one piece!”
A great team‐building exercise,
even for onlookers who had to have emergency
chiropractic treatment due to strained necks!
Another great moment for worship and fellowship at
the Hmong CRC in Sheboygan, WI.
The “blue and red” Communion team
of Matthew and San. Great job!”
Matthew seems to be moving too fast?
No, it’s camera shake!
Our Hmong friends
are very serious
about their faith in
Jesus Christ!
And we praise
God for them!
Pastor Kou had to excuse himself briefly from the retreat,
took out his bow and arrow,
and got something special for dinner.
Guess what
the meat
below is?
Tip: a cute, fast‐running, hairy
attraction in almost every park…
A fellowship dinner with a local church is the best part of
our retreats! We get to know God’s people up close and
personal. Thank you Pastor Kou and the Hmong CRC.
And we pray for God’s healing mercy for those in need.
A moment of God’s power and tenderness…
Power and tenderness. Two words that can help
describe the touch of God’s amazing grace in our lives.
Myshoua, are you with
child again? Your 12th??? Not just my fault!
Was a joint decision!
Ezekiel:
“I’m in
here!”
SEAPI’s favorite restaurant in Sheboygan, WI with
lots of mouth‐watering, tummy‐filling, fat‐free food!
Our SPE peer learning group allowed us to become
the best of friends and partners in God’s service.
Our master boatman‐teacher: Nam!
He made it through the China Sea from Vietnam to the
Philippines with crude navigational aids and lots of prayers!
An angel of the Lord always watched over us,
especially here in Lake Geneva!
This is how
SEAPI
church
buildings
should look
like!
Always the difficult part of a retreat. Saying goodbye!
But we have to, back to our families and churches.
Bon voyage across Lake Michigan!
Retreat #5: September 18‐21, 2006
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
What did we learn:
When we feel dry or routine in our spiritual walk,
let us return to the basic spiritual disciplines and be
refreshed and challenged anew by God’s Word
The Lord Jesus himself took time out from his busy
ministry to have intimate moments with his Father
If we stayed fresh in our spiritual walk, our vision
and purpose for ministry will stay fresh as well
Hardwork, determination, perseverance, and
practice: rock‐climbing taught us how to reach goals
Retreat #6 of 8
SEAPI Summit I
June 5‐7, 2007
Kuyper College, Grand Rapids, MI
Retreat #6 of 8
SEAPI Summit I
June 5‐7, 2007
Kuyper College, Grand Rapids MI
as we envisioned, we wanted to share to other
Asian CRCs what we’ve learned and benefitted from
peer learning
great response: 54 pastors, women, youth leaders
came representing 26 of 41 SEAPI CRCs as of June ’07
in one instance, leaders of the denomination met
and saw the energy and faithfulness of Asian brethren
it was held in conjunction with the CRC’s 150th
anniversary in Grand Rapids
The first Leadership Summit among SEAPI pastors,
women, and youth leaders: will there be Summit II?
Cambodians Koreans
Chinese Laotians
Filipinos Pakistani
Hmong s
Samoans
Indians Thais
Indonesian Vietnamese
s
Karen More coming…
At Summit 2007, we listened to each other…
With one voice, we praised and worshipped
God
We wanted to know each other better…
We dined and fellowshipped together…
Asian food, the

most colorful
and tastiest in all
of creation!
We even tried to cross Lake Michigan together!
Are we there yet?

Are you sure this
is the route
Moses took?
We were encouraged, challenged by CRC
leaders…
We were moved by God’s work in our
homelands…
From Killing Fields
to Living Fields…
through the Cross of
Christ!
With more pastors

and leaders being
trained, churches
are stronger today.
To step up and move forward together…
We challenged each other not to go it alone…
My husband changed and is

happier since he joined the
AAPM peer learning group!
To work together, and with our beloved CRC…
We understood who we are in the CRC…
Asian church leaders called by
God…
Both the young ones and the young once…
Pastor’s wives and leaders of all ages…
Crossing Lake
Michigan is the
hardest I’ve
ever done in my
long ministry!
Our next leaders are here with us today…
Together, ready to step up and move forward…
We got to know each other better...
by praying together,
We got to know each other, by laughing together
When pastors are happy, their churches

are also happy! (And it’s not a joke!)
… and more laughter together!
Kids,
don’t try
this at
home,
OK?
We learned to speak what’s in our hearts…
And became true friends in Christ…
Though hundreds
of miles apart,
they are still
connected.
Thanks to email!
To work together with one goal, one vision…
Nobody else
can say it
better than
Pastor Huu!
To promote a culture of pastoral excellence…
To create and sustain healthy Asian CRCs…
To care for and carry our next generation on our
shoulders…
Ministry can be
back breaking!
But I enjoy it!
Before we parted, we had Holy Communion together,
Then we dedicated ourselves to do God’s will…
To step up and move forward TOGETHER… through
the grace of God!
SEAPI CRC Leadership Summit 2007

Retreat #6: June 5‐7, 2007
Kuyper College, Grand Rapids MI
What did we learn?
We understood we are leaders called by God with a
unique place in the CRC
We realized we can be more effective if we
collaborated as friends and partners in ministry
We also saw how we can be more effective if we
actively partnered with CRC agencies
We dedicated ourselves to a shared vision and goal
of building healthy and growing Asian CRCs
We accepted the challenge to step up and move
forward together through the grace of God
Retreat #7 of 8
June 3‐5, 2008
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch, CO
Retreat #7: June 3‐5, 2008
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch, Colorado
3 new pastor‐members joined us with moving stories
about their ministries and families
2 new pastor’s wives also joined and we began to
think of ways to sustain their participation as a group
We learned to be critical and yet agreeable with one
another about what we study together
We had a taste of fellowship and unity in ministry
with a missions‐minded couple and a WM regional rep
It was a short retreat (in terms of time) but very
sweet and focused to strengthen all of us again!
Scraggy means lean or thin, rough, jagged.
This group pastors, wives and youth leaders don’t look
that at all. They seem to be enjoying their retreat!
Arriving at Denver airport, we were ready
for our 7th retreat!
I had to grab
Pastor Huu. We
almost lost him
at the airport!
Real life stories by pastors humble and inspire us to
draw closer God’s throne of grace.
Without being prompted, these new members just
opened up their hearts to our amazement! They
understood quickly what a peer learning group was all about
You can read on Pastor Huu’s face his love and hard life for
God’s people. Not at all easy but he finds joy in serving!
We usually began our retreats with personal, family, and
ministry updates. That way, we could know what joys we
can celebrate and concerns we can support them for.
That little guy is the prophet Ezekiel (Hmong version)!
Dad & Mom are starting him early through SPE retreats!
Our wives
have unique
ways of
expressing
themselves.
But one thing
is clear: they
love the Lord
and what He
called their
husbands to
do. For that,
all pastors are
thankful!
Asian pastors
are literally
battle‐scarred!
That’s why they
can face well
the hardships
of ministry.
They look very
serious here…
but they can
be funny too!
Nahh, I’m way more good‐
looking than my disciple!
Some of our pastors’ “First Ladies”
Need we say more? Thank you Lord!
East meets West! A good kind of mix with a common
and strong conviction for missions!
With their kids, they’ll be off
to Cambodia to do missions
work by year end (2008).
Praise God for your missional
hearts!
They planned to spend a
short time with us just to
hear what we’re up to.
They ended up staying
more than a day because
they got infected with an
Asian virus, the one that
humbles your heart to
serve God unashamedly.
Pray, study, reflect, deliver…
God must be so honored
by these pastors who are doing
what they are called to do!
Up in the quiet of the Colorado mountains, we had sweet,
poignant moments of friendship. Thank you Lord.
Didn’t you read earlier that Asian pastors make great
comedians? Here’s a funky example and a black‐belter
who’s just pretending!
Chow time!
Thanks to our hardworking sisters from the Cambodian
CRC in Aurora, CO. They skipped their jobs just to serve us!
For Pastor Albert, theology is food for his soul.
But here, he prefers food for his empty stomach!
Boys, remember, don’t talk when your mouth is full!
God bless their hearts and families for a job well done!
None of us complained of not having enough good food!
No, these Asian pastors are not fasting.
They just finished a big meal!
Our wives joined us in not fasting too!
They just had a big meal!
Ezekiel, let’s make a deal.
I take your milk and I take this watermelon!
Quiz: Who does not belong to this group?
Is it not obvious?
This is what happens when you’ve been married 34 years!
Somebody here is not a pastor! Who could that be?
One Cambodian, the other Vietnamese.
Both had seen the harshness of life but are thankful for
the joy and peace they now have in the Lord’s grace!
Question: Who is not a pastor in this group?
Answer: The ‘black‐belter’ is a pastor too who just
happened to injure his back before the retreat.
My advice: don’t make him get angry of you, or else you’ll
be black and blue!
Tina (not Fey), the First Lady of Pastor Albert,
surrounded by her Asian bodyguards!
I better call 911!
I better step
away too!
Without their hard work, our retreat would not have been
a success and a joy. John and Channary, thank you!
Some kids were with us – but we didn’t do anything with them. Why?
Remember Asian circles of fire!
Happened again in the Colorqado mountains!
We did Holy Communion in this cabin that was a roaring bar
during the “prohibition” years! (We had juice not whiskey.)
Hands were laid, fervent words prayed, our hearts
united, before the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For Asian pastors, heaven’s glory is already here!
Gil and Joyce, we’ll see you in Cambodia some day!
I didn’t know the ‘3 musketeers’ were religious!
Much thanks to the Third CRC of Denver.
Their pastor was our personal driver and baggage boy!
(He didn’t get a big tip though; we did Dutch treat!)
This is how the interiors of our worship center will look.
Retreat #7: Oct 29‐Nov 1, 2008
Long Scraggy Mountain Ranch, Colorado
What did we learn:
Lots of photos and stories bring back what God is
deeply doing in our personal lives and ministries
The new members who freely opened their hearts
moved us more to share these kinds of retreats to
others who have need of a peer learning group
Having our wives sit, reflect, speak, and pray with
us is something that should be sustained if we are to
have joy and effectiveness in our families, ministries
Our youth leader is bringing more of his peers to
the next retreat! Praise the Lord!
Retreat #8 of 8
Oct 29‐Nov 1, 2008
Vietnamese New Hope CRC
Winfield, IL
Vietnamese New Hope CRC, Winfield, IL
15 youth leaders from SEAPI East and West groups
attended eager to learn and fellowship
2 Indonesian pastors shared their harsh ministry
experiences and unwavering zeal for the Lord’s work
pastors’ wives launched their own peer learning
group thankful of their coming SPE grant
in addition to our peer learning agenda, we invited
CRC representatives for some collaborative sessions
we held our entire retreat in a SEAPI church and were
served with remarkable hospitality!
In a quiet neighborhood church in Winfield IL, 30 SEAPI pastors,
their wives, and youth leaders gathered for the 8th time. Once
again blessed by a God who cares for Asian people.
Meet our Asian women, young and old, all smiles and full of joy
for being part of God’s SEAPI community and work.
Meet our Asian men, young and old, all smiles and full of joy for
being part of God’s SEAPI community and work.
We began our retreat by worshipping our God with all our
hearts, minds, hands, and soul.
In this retreat, our youth
leaders took charge of leading
our worship.
Praise God for their gifts
and hearts. They’re fully
able to lead worship,
willing to be leaders of
the next generation.
We worshiped and thanked
God for the hope He has
given to us, many of whom
lost hope years ago in our
homelands.
Two Indonesian
pastors joined us:
Zacharias (left)
and Jonas with
family (below).
Their amazing stories
humbled and moved us
to thank God for
precious life only He can
bless and protect!
Irene Bakker, herself of Chinese ethnicity, spoke with our women
about spiritual formation as may be unique among SEAPI folks.
Young and young‐at‐heart,
married and single, happy for who
they are, Asian women in God’s
family.
As for those who are
really young…
…may they all grow
in the grace and
knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ!
As for the pastors, no
matter what they
drink, they are
concerned about the
future of their
churches.
Here, three SEAPI pastors
(Cambodian, Lao, and Korean)
share their hearts and love for
the Lord and His church.
Aahhh, meals are great times for
fellowship with great Asian treats
or pizza and soda.
Above, Pastor John of
Wheaton CRC enjoyed
meeting the other Asians.
Holy Communion was the
climax of our retreat...
…to be in
God’s moment
of grace and
power, and to
declare our
obedience.
We set aside time in this
retreat to engage with
other CRC ministries and
agencies. Ms. Irene
Bakker (left) for the
denominational study on
spiritual formation, and
Rev. Peter Kelder
(right), Home
Missions Regional
Director.
Dr. David Schuringa (above) met with
the pastors on spiritual formation
while Ms. Pam Van tol (left) spoke
about the ministry of ELIC. (Dr. Bud
Ipema, not shown here, also talked
about the Timothy Institute.)
It was not this modest but stately looking church building that inspired
us during this retreat. It was the remarkable generosity and serving
spirit of Rev. Huu Phu Nguyen and his congregation. Thanks, Pastor.
Before checking
out, we seized the
lobby of Hampton
Inn for a time of
prayer – in the
Indonesian
language!
As in past SEAPI
retreats, we
scoped the area
for a possible
regional office
site! (not kidding)
Believe it or not, we found this
shiny thing in the windy city!
This is the 110‐ton
Cloud Gate, made from
polished stainless steel
plates resembling
liquid memory, at the
Millenium Plaza in
downtown Chicago.
Pastor Zacharias is examining
whether this structure could
pass the standards of SEAPI!
We ended our 8th retreat
not as a disunited swirl of
ideas and ethnicities, but
as a group though diverse,
yet bound by a united
desire to glorify God and
edify the SEAPI CRCs.
Vietnamese New Hope CRC, Winfield, IL
What did we learn:
Pastors, their wives, and youth leaders talked, laughed,
prayed and worshiped together reminded about a God of
grace and mercy
Being told of life‐threatening experiences in some of our
ministries, we were humbled, challenged to support each
other and continue to minister in the name of Jesus Christ
Other CRC agency workers and us connected! That was a
good thing and we’ll continue to do.
The place of our youth leaders in the future of SEAPI CRCs is
becoming clearer. To that end, we promised to do more.
We found out how one local church‐host can edify SEAPI.
SEAPI Summit II
The second national gathering of pastors, elders/deacons,
men, women and youth leaders from 55 SEAPI CRCs
August 3‐6, 2009 in Winfield, IL
Watch out for
details
at our website,
www.asiancrcs.org

AAPM-SEAPI Milestones 040209

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AAPM‐SEAPI Milestones: 2004‐2008

Asian food, the

Are we there yet?

With more pastors

My husband changed and is

When pastors are happy, their churches

SEAPI CRC Leadership Summit 2007

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