Arizona Conference
PHIL DRAPER
Mu Yo, a member of the Phoenix Central church, is one of several Burmese students studying at TAA.
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pacificunionrecorder.com
Attendees gathered at the international potluck.
we live our lives if we are to be a part of God’s work here in Arizona,” said Anobile. “It starts at home.” Keyes spoke about Asian-Pacific evangelism in Arizona and the evangelistic outreach to the Philippines scheduled for this month. Pastor Glenn Sta Ana, Chandler Fil-Am pastor and president of the Asian-Pacific Ministries Fellowship, shared his vision for Arizona. As a symbol of commitment, pastors and lay people representing each ethnic group signed the convocation poster, and Anobile prayed for them. In the afternoon, music from each group filled the air. The Tucson Fil-Am Rondalla played stringed instruments, including the ukulele, guitar, banduria and octavina. The Tongan group sang rousing praises to God. The Chandler Fil-Am children — a crowd favorite — sang “God Uses Kids.” The Korean choir, wearing colorful national costumes called hanbok, sang, as did the Lao-Thai and Burmese groups. “It was a long day indeed,” Sta Ana concluded, “but one which embraced unity in diversity, ready to charge forward, motivated by the call
to commence the Asian-Pacific ministries in the state of Arizona. It was an inspiring day, a day of rekindling the mission in everyone. It is time to plant that we may reap.”
Magdalena B. Tio PHIL DRAPER
T
he Arizona Conference held its first Asian-Pacific Ministries Convocation at Thunderbird Academy in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 14. Church members representing the Asian and the Pacific countries worshiped God together at the gathering, themed “Reach Up, Reach In, Reach Out.” Approximately 300 attended, representing the Chandler Fil-Am, Tucson Fil-Am, Chandler Korean and Central Phoenix Korean churches; the Burmese, Lao-Thai and Tongan groups; and Vietnamese and other members. Each group brought a unique view of its culture in language, costume, music and ethnic dance renditions. VicLouis Arreola III, director of Asian-Pacific ministries for the Pacific Union, delivered the Sabbath message, encouraging everyone to keep spreading the gospel, especially in Arizona, where Asian ministries are booming. Also present were representatives from the Arizona Conference, including Tony Anobile, president, and Ed Keyes, executive secretary and ministerial director. “In this sequence — reach up to God, reach in to self, then reach out to others — shall
TONY CABANESAS
Arizona holds its first AsianPacific ministries convocation
VicLouis Arreola III, director of Asian-Pacific ministries for the Pacific Union, was keynote speaker for the convocation.