FAITH AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
At AACC, we believe faith compels us to engage the political and social realities of our time with courage, compassion, and conviction. Our approach to faith and political engagement is rooted in Gospel witness that seeks justice for the marginalized while fostering solidarity across communities of color.
We mobilize Asian American Christians to speak prophetically against racism, stand with vulnerable communities, and address critical issues through public witness, community organizing, and faithful civic engagement. We believe Asian American Christians have a unique calling to be bridge-builders as we can draw from our own experiences to stand in solidarity with others while contributing our distinct voice to the pursuit of justice and the common good.
CONNECT & ENGAGE
In July of 2024, AACC hosted a gathering dedicated to preserving Asian American churches and historic Asian American communities in Philadelphia, PA.
FAITH AND POLITICS FORUM
The Holistic Nature of the Gospel
Justin Adour, Pastor at Redeemer East Harlem Church.
In August 2024, AACC brought together 45 Asian American Christian leaders from across the nation for a pivotal Faith & Politics Forum in Washington D.C., marking a significant moment in equipping the Asian American Church for deeper civic engagement. This groundbreaking gathering convened pastors, denominational leaders, network leaders, and nonprofit executives representing the breadth of Asian American Christianity, including participants from leading seminaries and universities such as Fuller, Baylor, Wheaton, and Gordon Conwell, alongside representatives from over a dozen denominations.
The forum addressed a critical need within Asian American Christian communities to move beyond single-issue political frameworks and embrace a more holistic understanding of faithful civic participation. Through intensive collaborative discussion and theological reflection, participants grappled with essential questions about the church's prophetic voice in contemporary society and the integration of spiritual formation with social justice engagement.
This gathering represents AACC's ongoing commitment to equipping Asian American Christian leaders to engage courageously and thoughtfully in the public square. The insights and connections forged at this forum continue to shape how Asian American churches approach their role in public life, embracing a fuller vision of Christian citizenship that honors both the prophetic tradition and the pastoral calling of the church.
Standing Against Injustices
Naro Pongen, Associate Pastor at Old Cambridge Baptist Church.
Politics — Where Our Faith Commitments Play Out Practically
Dr. Theon Hill, Associate Professor of Communication at Wheaton College.
SEPTEMBER 8 PRAYER FOR CIVIC RENEWAL
AACC called churches across our network to stand united in a day of Nationwide Prayer for Civic Renewal, rooted in Jesus-centered political engagement. It was, and continues to be, an opportunity to lead your congregation in addressing the pressing issue of political division and the growing trend of elevating partisan identity over faith. Together, we can guide our communities away from political idolatry and back to a faith-driven approach to politics, anchored in the radical love of God that overcomes fear.
In the resource provided to the right, there are:
Insights: from Asian American pastors on the state of Asian American Christians and the church when it comes to faith and politics
A prayer: thoughtfully crafted for you to use or adapt
A sermon: an outline for you to use or share during political seasons
A declaration: for you to use or share to recalibrate Christian political convictions
Additional Activities: for your church to organize and participate in
We hope that this resource serves to foster continued conversation and engagement, not only in our current season, but in the years to come.
AACC was thrilled to serve as a co-host for APIA Vote's 2024 Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia.
Since 2008, the Presidential Town Hall has served as a crucial national forum for inviting presidential candidates to engage directly with the AAPI community. By providing a dedicated space for candidates to address AAPI community members, leaders, and organizers face-to-face, the town hall offers one of the rare opportunities for this impactful growing electorate to hear directly from those vying for the nation's highest office. This event ensures that AAPI issues are brought to the forefront of campaigns and media attention, pushing candidates to address the concerns and priorities that matter most to the AAPI population.
We represented the voices of Asian American Christians at this important, non-partisan event. As Christians, we encourage all people to engage in civic life - which includes voting. From citizenship to voting, Asian Americans (and other racialized minority populations) from generations past have advocated for us in order to press for our inclusion and to be able to have our votes counted today. May we continue to energize the Asian American Christian community to exercise their right to vote and pursue the common good from a Christ-centered, Kingdom-oriented perspective.
Panel #1: "The Importance of Preserving Asian American Churches and Communities"
Rev. Wayne Lee from Chinese Christian Church + Center in Philadelphia and Reverend Joshua Cho from Chinese Community Church in D.C. explore the significance of the Asian American Church and why they are so vital to the communities they serve.
Panel #2: "The AACC Story" with Raymond Chang and AACC Volunteers
Learn about the journey and mission of the Asian American Christian Collaborative. Raymond Chang and AACC volunteers share their experiences and the impact of their work, offering insights into how the organization serves and empowers the Asian American Christian community at large.