At the moment, there is an emerging generation of Asian American Christian leaders who feel they are being called to participate within their church ministries by way of evangelism, social concern, and social justice.

At the American Baptist Seminary in Berkeley, CA on July 28-30, the theme for this year's Summer Asian American Ministry and Theology conference is, "Transformational Leadership, Transformed Communities, Asian American Perspectives."

The conference intends to equip pastors, para-church staff, experienced layleaders, and seminarians by instilling a theological foundation and providing hands-on training in order for them to serve in Asian American settings and the community in a whole.

"We believe that God will use this innovative conference to raise up leaders who can transform their ministries and the broader communities for the sake of Christ's gospel and kingdom," states Rev. Timothy Tseng, director of the Asian American Center at the American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW).

The plenary speakers are:

Bishop Dr. Roy Sano, executive secretary of the Council of Bishops for the United Methodist Church, who will share on "Transformed, Transformative, and Transforming (Mark 1:1-15)."

Rev. Dr. Soong Chan Rah, the founder and senior pastor of Cambridge Community Fellowship Church (CCFC), an urban multiethnic ministry-focused church in Boston, MA, who will discuss, "Asian Americans and Community Transformation."

And, Rev. Dr. Peter Cha, professor of pastoral theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School based in IL, who is scheduled to speak on "Asian American Christian Identity and Calling."

In addition, there will be a panel of professors from different college institutions in the bay area that will focus on transforming pastors, spirit, worship, and educating attendants about Asian American issues.

The conference is designed to increase awareness for Asian American leaders who want to become catalysts for social and spiritual

transformation in Asian American Christian society, states Mr. Tseng.

The seminar is sponsored by Center for Community Transformation of the Evangelical Covenant Church and the Asian American Center at ABSW.