On Jan. 15, the Asian/Pacific Lay Ministry Seminary held its inaugural session. Twenty-one participants came from Samoan, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, African-American and other non-Asian churches across Northern California. “I am thrilled to see a good attendance,” said Jae Sang Yoo, Northern California Conference Asian/South Pacific coordinator. “This is a sign that our laity are eager to learn.”

There was an overwhelming response of commitment from the students to go back to their churches and apply what they learned at each class. George Kawakami, an attendee from Sacramento, was excited at the opportunities these classes would give him. “This is a new day for me as a layperson — being trained to do ministry in the local church,” said Kawakami. “Now I can do more to assist my pastor.”

The lay seminary started because of the need to equip Asian/South Pacific Adventist lay people with the skills to assist their churches in pastoral ministry, especially those who have no pastor or only a part-time pastor. The seminary is a pilot test of the NCC Asian/South Pacific Ministries, and is under the leadership of Dr. VicLouis Arreola III, senior pastor of the Sacramento Japanese-American/Elk Grove Seventh-day Adventist churches.

“Time is short and we need to train more men and women to be a part of the gospel commission,” said Arreola. “The best thing we can do now is to teach them the skills on how to win more souls for the kingdom. May it be that every church in the last days be a training school of evangelism.”

In order to receive their certification as a lay Bible worker, participants must attend at least 10 course lectures, which are held between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. one Sunday each month. The students are also required to complete a field project where they must lead a small group ministry, an evangelistic seminar or an outreach ministry at their local churches.

Jim Pedersen, NCC president, is thrilled about this opportunity to fulfill the conference initiative: Every member a minister and every pastor an equipper. “It is exciting to see that concept catch fire in fresh and innovative ways, such as in the new Asian/Pacific Lay Ministry Seminary,” said Pedersen. “Our prayer is that this training program will result in many hearts being won for the Kingdom of God.”

Upcoming lecture topics include evangelism, nurturing new believers, small group ministry and preaching. For more information, contact Arreola at 916-682-9469.