Retreat Welcomes New Generation of Leaders

The 2025 retreat of South East Asian and Pacific Islander (SEAPI) Christian Reformed church leaders and representatives, held Oct. 14-18, stood out as the most intergenerational yet, with more than 40 young adults attending. This count was up significantly from about 10 in previous years, according to Pastor John Sideco, local mission leader for Resonate Global Mission on the East Coast and one of the retreat organizers. 

The SEAPI group is one of several affinity circles within the CRC in which pastors and leaders from specific ethnic and/or cultural backgrounds get together, support each other, learn from one another, and speak into the broader CRCNA community with a unified voice. It has existed since 2007 and was created from an earlier Asian pastors and ministry group that expanded to include more South East Asian communities. 

Every two years the SEAPI group holds a retreat to bring leaders together. This year’s event took place at Spruce Lake Retreat Center in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, gathering pastors, ministry leaders, and young adult leaders from across North America for a week of worship, learning, and fellowship. Several senior CRCNA leaders joined in as well. 

Participants represented 30 CRC churches in North America whose members are primarily from SEAPI backgrounds. The retreat aimed specifically to engage young adults from these churches, helping them recognize their place and future within their congregations and encouraging them to consider leadership opportunities. 

The event opened with morning devotions led by Dr. Colin Watson, Sr., former executive director of the CRCNA. Watson reminded participants that ministry is never a solitary calling. 

“We might feel like we are all alone in ministry, but we are united by the Word of God,” he said. He encouraged leaders to serve with humility and faithfulness. “Feeling alone leads us to strange places. [But] the kingdom is not far from us. It’s not what you say but how you act and who you are that is a blessing.” 

Dr. Zachary King, general secretary, also shared a devotional time with the group via a video message. Reflecting on Haggai 2:1-9, he said, “The message is: Be strong,” and he compared the work of today’s church to that of the returned exiles rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem about 500 years before the birth of Christ. “Be strong and work. Put one stone on top of the other, because God is with you.”

Reminding participants that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone that we build our collective ministry upon, he encouraged them to pray for renewal in their churches. He also encouraged them to continue faithfully to participate in and support the broader denomination. 

“I know it takes time and resources to participate in classis meetings and synod,” he said. “But I believe that one way we can faithfully put one stone on top of the other is through participation in the governance of our denomination.” 

Intergenerational Coexistence

In addition to these focused times of worship, participants engaged in a two-day small-group Bible study using Discover Your Bible material from Resonate Global Mission’s Global Coffee Break. Young adults and older leaders provided enthusiastic feedback about their discoveries while studying the book of Ephesians. 

“Witnessing the dedication and passion of the young people, who shared their dreams and hopes, was truly heartwarming,” said Deibi Kapojos, Global Coffee Break coordinator. 

As with many other immigrant communities, it can be challenging for SEAPI churches to navigate the cultural differences between the first generation of immigrants and their children or grandchildren who have been born and raised in North America.

Pastor Sideco, who serves alongside his father at Covenant CRC, a Filipino-American church in Jersey City, New Jersey, spoke about the importance of having multiple generations within SEAPI churches. 

“It’s about learning how to coexist between generations without neglecting the first or losing focus on the second,” he said. He shared a story of a SEAPI congregation that struggled after losing its pastor. Thanks to intergenerational cooperation, he said,  the congregation found its way through their particular challenges. 

“It’s a testimony to God’s faithfulness,” Sideco added. “The first generation never truly retires [even as the next generation steps up]; they bring their testimonies to the next generation.”

Young Leaders at Work

Making way for a new generation of leaders had begun already in the planning for this event, explained Ronald Binuya, a young leader from Covenant CRC who was part of the SEAPI annual retreat planning team. He said preparation for the event began as early as April, and he noted that some members of the team had also been part of the planning committee for the SEAPI East Young Adult Retreat in Connecticut back in Dec. 2024, which brought together young people from New Jersey, Delaware, and New Hampshire.

“That experience gave us a good foundation and helped us understand what goes into organizing such a big event,” he said.

“Another major challenge was our limited budget,” Binuya said. 

“We didn’t know at first how much financial support we would have, but we trusted that God would provide—and he did. We had to coordinate lodging and transportation for everyone, including rides for about 36 people from the airport and to and from the retreat center. Finding enough drivers was sometimes challenging because participants arrived and left on different days, but the teamwork and willingness of everyone truly amazed me,” he said.

“I’m grateful for everyone who prayed for, served in, and supported this event. It reminded me how powerful unity in Christ can be when generations come together with one purpose,” Binuya added.

Collaboration and Learning

Other leaders from CRCNA ministries were present at the event as well.

Rev. Susan LaClear, director of Candidacy, which guides people through the process of becoming ordained ministers of the Word in the CRC, spoke about discernment and the path toward ordination. This sparked curiosity among young adults and attendees in general. 

Pastor Mirtha Villafane, church planting local mission leader with Resonate Global Mission, felt that this presentation provided much-needed encouragement for the next generation. “Having Susan talk about ordination in this SEAPI retreat speaks of open doors within our denomination,” she said.

Rev. Reggie Smith, diversity ministry consultant with Thrive, discussed how SEAPI churches are not alone in navigating second-generation ministry. He shared about many other CRCs facing this challenge and the shifting cultural dynamics around it. 

“Will [the next generation] embrace Christianity?” he asked, noting that churches that remain rigid in specific cultural or language expectations may have less appeal to younger members who feel a sense of identity in both their cultural heritage and their North American life. 

He introduced the idea of “intercultural” or “third-way churches” as a phenomenon that is growing within the CRC. Using a pair of 3D glasses with one red lens and one blue lens, he pointed out that both perspectives are equally needed to see in 3D. The same is true in churches with cultural diversity.

“That third way [incorporating both perspectives] is how God wants us to see each other,” Smith added.

Ben Van Arragon, pastoral well-being consultant with Thrive, shared insights on balancing family life, work, and ministry, and Rick Zomer, Thrive’s faith formation consultant, spoke about spiritual formation and discipleship in our Reformed and multicultural context. 

In addition, several SEAPI leaders shared their learning with each other. Kou Vang, a retired pastor from Wisconsin, shared about his plan to return to Asia and minister in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia to raise up Hmong church leaders and communities. Pastor Samuel Leung from San Francisco shared his experience on training the next generation of leaders. Other leaders also shared inspiring testimonies and best practices from their ministries. 

“All moments count. From the main session to small groups, from reenergizing during meals to sharing during free time—all parts of this retreat were a great blessing to one another,” said Kapojos. 

Worship and Cultural Unity

Worship was central to the retreat as well. Leaders from various SEAPI churches led songs in Indonesian, English, Tagalog, and Malay, symbolizing unity through diversity. Many participants observed that this reflected the “great multitude . . . from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne,” as described in Revelation 7:9. 

The worship team had practiced for a number of weeks to prepare about 30 songs for this event, said Binuya. His wife, who played drums during worship at the retreat, is expecting their first child. “We weren’t sure if she’d be able to join in, but, through prayer, God gave her strength to serve,” he added, noting that musicians from several states, including New Hampshire, Delaware, Texas, Michigan, and Wisconsin joined them in leading worship as well.

Adding to the spirit of collaboration, some Chinese-speaking CRC pastors and ministry leaders also joined the SEAPI retreat. These members have been part of a different CRC affinity group known as “East Meets West,” and they represent primarily Chinese-speaking CRC congregations in North America. A decision to merge these two groups into one is taking shape, and new ministry leaders representing Nepali and Indian congregations are also joining. 

Several attendees noted that the SEAPI event was a great way for participants to express solidarity and unity with each other despite ethnic and cultural differences. Catherine Chan and Ruth Zhang from Grace CRC in Scarborough, Ont., for example, said the experience was deeply meaningful. 

“I loved it!” expressed Chan. “It’s a chance to share about our ministries, learn from one another, and enjoy the multigenerational aspect. The relaxed schedule, prayer walks, and time for reflection were refreshing.” 

“Events like this provide a space for dialogue, listening, and sharing, fostering a deeper understanding of the CRCNA as one diverse family that is part of the body of Christ,” said Kapojos. “Through collaboration with the CRCNA, local SEAPI churches can witness the beauty of what we can achieve together. My hope is that SEAPI will not only thrive within our own communities but also build stronger connections with the broader CRCNA, embracing and respecting the diverse gifts and differences within God’s church.”

Looking Ahead

As the retreat concluded, attendees left encouraged by the unity they had witnessed between generations and cultures. The growing presence of young adults at the retreat served as a hopeful reminder that the mission of SEAPI churches will continue—rooted in faith, strengthened by diversity, and carried forward by God’s faithfulness.

Reflecting on the heart of the gathering, Pastor John Sideco said the vision for SEAPI’s future depends on both generations walking together. “It’s not just about passing the torch. It’s about walking side-by-side. When the first generation brings its faithfulness and the next brings its passion, the church doesn’t just continue; it thrives.”