Young Leaders Retreat Builds Community

Young leaders from several SEAPI (South East Asian Pacific Islander) churches on the U.S. East Coast met for a time of renewal and connection in December. The 40 participants came from New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and New Hampshire for a retreat focused on “Shaping the Mind and Heart by Living and Loving the Word.”
Hoping to draw young adults ages 18 through 35, organizers provided quality childcare at the Ashford, Conn., facility so that young parents could fully participate in a time of equipping and connecting with other young leaders in the SEAPI community within the wider Christian Reformed Church in North America.
“The retreat aimed to equip young leaders with the tools to study the Bible for themselves and lead small group Bible studies,” said Deibi Kapojos Lapian, Global Coffee Break coordinator for international partners and a member of the leadership team for SEAPI women. She helped organize the Dec. 7-9 retreat alongside leaders from each church involved, with advice from SEAPI representatives and Resonate Global Mission’s Marco Avila. One participant commented, “This training helped me to understand more how to share the gospel.”
The young leaders learned about the Discover Your Bible series in a half-day training with Diane Averill from Global Coffee Break. Melissa Fischer led a session on intimacy with God through solitude and creative reflection, and Lapian introduced participants to Resonate Global Mission’s Witness curriculum. Rev. John Sideco of Filipino-American CRC in Jersey City, N.J., and Pastor Edwin Dalupan of Grace in Christ Fellowship in Wilmington, Del., shared messages and served the Lord’s Supper. Between sessions and during each evening, participants had time to converse, sit by a warm fire, sing together, and relax.
Commenting on the event, Averill described it as “terrific.” “There was an amazing amount of energy, and they were a fun group to hang out with,” she said.
One young leader shared, “This event has relit the fire in me and motivated me to commit to the Lord and to continue to study the Bible every day.”
While the participants shared SEAPI heritage, Lapian said, about half were American-born, while the other half had immigrated as teens or adults. “Despite these differences, they blended seamlessly. . . . Culture and language did not create any barriers during the retreat. . . . They found that their identity is more as family in Christ despite the differences.”
Lapian explained that the SEAPI community within the CRC includes around 30 churches, representing diverse backgrounds from Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific Islands, noting that the group is considering changing the name to represent a wider Asian background. “These communities include Samoan, Indonesian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong, Chin, Chinese, Indian, and Nepali members,” she added. SEAPI has both national and regional leadership teams that meet regularly to provide support and guidance.
One of their regular events is a biennial national gathering of SEAPI church leaders and representatives. The next one will take place this year in New Jersey, said Lapian, and young adults from the East Coast – likely including some present at the retreat – will play a significant role on the leadership team.
In her work with Global Coffee Break and on the leadership team for SEAPI women, Lapian said she appreciates the fellowship she finds with SEAPI leaders and pastors. “I am inspired by their efforts and friendship. The pastors’ wives also have a regular prayer meeting every two months, and it has been a beautiful support system for us.”
While getting relevant resources can still be a challenge for some ethnic ministries within the CRC, Lapian said classis and synod leaders, Resonate staff and regional leaders, and ministries like Thrive are striving to be sensitive to issues and needs and respond to them, helping ethnic ministries to flourish.
In terms of goals, the retreat aimed to empower, shape, and raise new young leaders to love and live by the Word of God; to equip leaders with skills to facilitate a small group Bible study and practice relational evangelism through dialog around God’s Word; to develop connections and relationships among SEAPI East Coast churches and proactively engage with the CRCNA as part of its family; and to learn creative worship and prayer.
Feedback from participants suggested that progress was made on these goals. Lapian said she heard that several young leaders who attended the retreat are considering becoming church planters. One young leader noted, “I was encouraged to serve the Lord even more.”
“I encourage prayers for the younger generations within SEAPI and their respective communities,” said Lapian. “They face unique challenges in today’s culture, but they also have opportunities to cultivate and use their gifts in their local churches and communities. Pray that they may grow in their understanding of God’s Word and wisdom, allowing them to flourish both spiritually and personally.”