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ABOUT THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY IN THE ELCA

Welcome, partners in Christ with a heart for Asian ministry!  In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), about 20,000 members are of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage.  About 110 Asian congregations and ministries in the ELCA minister in Asian languages including Burmese, Cambodian, Cantonese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Lahu, Laotian, Mandarin, Taiwanese, Thai and Vietnamese. Some of the congregations also provide ministry to second generation Asians.   

In addition, many Asians are members at more than 3,000 English-speaking ELCA congregations across the United States.  Often there are no Asian culture-specific Lutheran churches in these areas.

 Rev. Dr. Pongsak Limthongviratn

Program Director for Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries,

Congregational and Synodical Mission, ELCA

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF ASIANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS-ELCA

 Rev. Dr. Edmond Yee, President, Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders, ELCA

  OUR MISSION

The Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the ELCA is the association for and led by Asians in the ELCA.  Its mission is: 

1. 1. To encourage the expression of Christian faith from an Asian Pacific Islander   

  perspective.

2. To support the unique gifts of Asian Pacific Islanders as they give witness to the gospel

                                     of Jesus Christ.

3. To encourage Asian Pacific Islander members of the ELCA to participate fully in all expressions of the

      ELCA. 

4. To support the implementation of the ELCA national Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry Strategy.  

5. To support the growth and development of ordained and lay leadership within the Asian Pacific

     Islander communities within the ELCA.