Reviving and Renewing Together: Reflections on the 23rd NAPAD Biennial Convocation
July 2024 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
From July 17 to July 20, 2024, the North American Pacific/Asian Disciples (NAPAD) family gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, for our 23rd Biennial Convocation. Under the theme "Revive and Renew," based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 ("Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"), we spent four days immersed in worship, fellowship, and visioning for our future.
A Reunion of Faith and Culture This Convocation was particularly meaningful as it served as a long-awaited reunion. After two years, diverse language, ethnic, and cultural groups within NAPAD came together in one space. It was a profound time of cross-cultural engagement where we not only worshiped together but also shared our lives, discussed the unique challenges facing our communities, and offered one another comfort and new hope.
Program Highlights The schedule was filled with opportunities for spiritual growth and community building:
Worship & Devotion: Each day began with morning devotion and concluded with powerful worship services, grounding our business in faith.
Voices of the Community: Sessions dedicated to "Sharing Our Stories, Building Our Future" allowed us to listen to one another’s experiences and perspectives.
Workshops & Business: We engaged in necessary business sessions and educational workshops to strengthen our collective ministry.
Next Generation: Special programs were held for children and young adults (including a Pre-Convocation), ensuring that the future leaders of our church were nurtured and included.
Cultural Celebration: The undisputed highlight of the gathering was the Cultural Banquet and Cultural Night. It was a vibrant celebration of our identity, filled with the joy of music, dance, and tradition.
Gratitude and Partnership This event would not have been possible without the support of many. We were blessed by the presence and participation of numerous General Church partners, reinforcing our connection to the wider Disciples body.
We extend a special and heartfelt word of thanks to the local Tongan and Samoan church members residing in Utah. Your dedicated service, hospitality, and hard work in supporting the event’s logistics were invaluable. You truly embodied the spirit of service and made our stay in Salt Lake City welcoming and smooth.
Moving Forward As we return to our respective ministries, we carry with us the spirit of Salt Lake City. We are revived by our fellowship and renewed by the Holy Spirit, ready to embrace the "new creation" that God is working within our NAPAD community.
For the entire photo collection visit https://www.facebook.com/napadnetwork or click the below link.
22nd NAPAD Convocation (September 24, 2022)
On September 22nd, 2022, NAPAD had its 22nd biennial convocation under the theme of Renewed Covenant & New Hope (Revelation 7:9-17). More than 60 people gathered together virtually via Zoom.
The convocation started with a pre-convocation workshop, the Covenant Project Town hall, which was led by General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens. The Covenant Project is an initiative of the Governance Committee at the direction of the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to change how we gather and how we make decisions as a church so that more people are included in shaping the priorities of the church. The town hall aimed to provide education about proposed changes, foster conversation, and create opportunities for feedback.
Here is the full recorded meeting of the pre-convocation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sxae96gtn20wtbp/Preconvocation%20workshop.mp4?dl=0
The main session consisted of the business meeting and the worship service. In the business meeting, NAPAD elected four new board of directors (Jeffrey Ilagan, Aiono Kalala, KJ Kim, and Kikuo Yere).
Also, NAPAD appointed moderate-elect Neomai Uesi. GMP Rev. Terri Hord Owens blessed and prayed for the entire board of directors. We also recognized and blessed four board members who were rotating off from the board, including Gethsemane Tagaloa, Nerleb Likisap, Jae Young Rhee, and Jennie Huang.
Here is the NAPAD board of Directors.
The virtual worship service was graceful and lively. During the worship service, the praise team of First Filipino Disciples Christian Church, LA. and Bethel Christian Church, IN, and University Christian Church, MD, offered inspiring music.
Wonderful messages were delivered by Rev. Marco Cable, President of Overseas Ministries and Co-Executive of Global Ministries. Executive Director of Week of Compassion, and Yunkyong Lee Hill, the moderate of the NAPAD board, through the sermon and the invitation to communion.
Watch the full virtual worship here:
21st NAPAD Virtual Convocation (November 6 & 7, 2020)
NAPAD had first-ever virtual convocation under the theme of Resilient Faith (Joshua 1:9). More than 80 people gathered together virtually via Zoom.
The main session consisted of the business meeting and the worship service. In the business meeting, NAPAD elected four new board of directors (John Ahn, Miseon Choi, Larry Sotam, and Neomai Uesi) and appointed moderate-elect, Yunkyong Lee Hill. GMP Rev. Terri Hord Owens blessed and prayed for the entire board of directors. We also recognized and blessed five board members who were rotating off from the board, including Timothy Lee, Caleb Wang, Tevita Uesi, Jess Kim, and Doug Wirt.
The virtual worship service was graceful and lively. We celebrated thirteen new churches in the NAPAD community.
During the worship service, NAPAD Virtual Singers and the praise team of First Filipino Disciples Christian Church, LA. offered powerful and inspiring music.
Wonderful messages were delivered by Rev. Vy Nguyen, Executive Director of Week of Compassion, and Eula Pagdalio, the moderate of NAPAD board through the sermon and the invitation to communion.
We give thanks for all the wonderful time.
Downloads
August 8-11, 2018
20th Biennial NAPAD Convocation
One In Christ - Growing Into Unity (Ephesians 4:13)
First Christian Church, 1314 SW Park Ave. Portland, OR 97201
AUGUST 3 – 6, 2016
19TH BIENNIAL NAPAD CONVOCATION
Be Reconciled In Christ
Raynor Park Christian Church, Sunnyvale, CA
1515 Partridge Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Downloads
Youth Pre-Convocation Registration Form
AUGUST 6 – 9, 2014
18TH BIENNIAL NAPAD CONVOCATION
SINGING THE LORD’S SONG IN A NEW LAND
Disciples Divinity House, University of Chicago
1156 E. 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
We give thanks for a wonderful time at our recent convocation.
