Asian-Pacific Ministries: United Across Cultures
As appeared in the August issue of the Recorder at https://www.adventistfaith.com/news/asian-pacific-ministries
Asian-Pacific Ministries (APM) serves the culturally and linguistically diverse populations of the Pacific Union Conference by reaching Asian-Pacific immigrants with God’s message through culturally relevant ministry. By ministering in heart languages and honoring cultural identity, APM creates spaces where people feel understood, connected, and spiritually nurtured. This approach has led to innovative ministry strategies while retaining and strengthening what has proven effective, resulting in greater unity, belonging, and mission impact across diverse communities.
Advancing mission across the Pacific Union
From 2021 to 2025, APM supported 135 churches, companies, and groups, and 143 pastors served across seven conferences. Currently, 15 language groups are building relationships and working to organize new congregations within the union and beyond.
Over the past five years, APM has seen steady growth in membership, tithe, the number of congregations, and pastoral leadership. From mid-2021 through 2025, 1,776 individuals were baptized into the faith, reflecting the continued impact of culturally relevant ministry. Membership grew from 20,601 to 21,845. In 2022, tithe contributions were $24M. In 2025, total tithe contributions were $30.1M. (See infographic.)
Highlights of the quinquennium
Key milestones include:
- The 2023 APM Workers’ Meeting in Ontario, California, themed “One Power, One Purpose, One Movement,” convened pastors and their families, with total attendance of 186, including pastors, spouses, and children.
- An Asian-Pacific Advisory Family Retreat was held in San Diego on May 17-19, 2024.
- Approved in 2025, the North American Division (NAD) Asian Church Building and Scholarship Fund supports major church infrastructure projects and graduate education for pastors. In 2026, 31 churches received assistance from the fund. Combined with the Pacific Union’s Capital Reversion Fund, this has expanded funding opportunities for church repair, maintenance, and facility improvement projects.
- The recognition of Filipino Ministries in NAD in 2025, initiated by Pacific Union APM, marks a significant milestone.
- In the past five years, Dr. Arreola conducted more than 20 of his trademarked evangelistic series, “Our Great Hope Today,” gospel revivals, and 16 Growing Healthy Churches Summits and evangelistic trainings combined.
- Over 50 convocations, camp meetings, and retreats took place in the past five years.
- Eight new churches, groups, or companies were established across Arizona Conference, Central California Conference, Northern California Conference, Nevada-Utah Conference, and Southern California Conference.
- Sabbath School Quarterly lessons were translated into Fijian, Samoan, Tongan, and Vietnamese.
Innovative outreach and evangelism
APM continues to engage communities through creative and relevant outreach initiatives:
- Zoom worship was integrated with digital platforms for services, training, and discipleship.
- Digital evangelism efforts included AICON22: Arise and Shine, a virtual training event hosted by the Japanese Ministerial Association in 2022.
- Health-focused outreach, particularly in mental health and counseling, created opportunities for connection, prayer, and ministry. The Thai Health Screening on April 29, 2025, was featured on CBS News.
- Recurring youth programs, such as Empower Youth and AIYMCON (Adventist Indonesian Youth Ministries Convention), inspire deeper spiritual commitment among younger generations.
- And It Was Good: Art Extravaganza, on October 25, 2025, was a collaborative public event that celebrated Adventist creativity across multiple art forms.
- A historic 2024 visit by the Tongan king and queen culminated in a united interdenominational worship gathering at White Memorial church.
- “Evangelistic Eating,” an outreach program started in 2025 by the Thai Ministry, led to Bible studies.
Jesus at the center: From community to Christ
At the heart of every APM initiative is the goal of leading people to Jesus. Many first encounter Christ through relationships formed in culturally meaningful spaces. As social and cultural needs are met, hearts open to spiritual transformation. Whether through health ministries, prayer, leadership development, or family-centered worship, APM consistently points individuals to Christ as Savior and Friend.