7th National Lighting the Community Summit
Shining Our Light to the Nation's Capitol

Uniting Our Voices, Bringing Our Gifts

"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."
Matthew 5:16
 
We are delighted to invite you to the 7th National "Lighting the Community" Summit at Kellogg Conference Hotel, Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., Monday-Wednesday, May 19 - 21, 2014. This year the White House has invited Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Christian Leaders for the first time for a historic White House Briefing as part of our conference.

Please join us for this historic gathering and the launch of a national,  nonpartisan network of AAPI Christian Churches and Leaders towards a strong united voice in the public sphere.
Special Message for Asian American and Pacific Islander Pastors and Christian Leaders:

We are called to be salt and light to the world and be bold witnesses in every sphere of life. We are to bless and pray for our nation's leaders. This calling is greater than any particular political stance or social agenda. We as AAPI Christian leaders have been active through evangelism, global missions, and direct service. Yet our voice and presence have been missing at the local and national front due to marginalization and our own disengagement. As a result, our communities have been undeserved and overlooked in services and resources. Christian leaders from the African American and Latino communities have preceded us in engaging in the civic process and as a result are regularly invited to the decision making table. They have translated their influence and access to impact public policies and to bring investments and needed resources for their communities. Now is the time for us to unite our voices.  strengthen our influence, and  shine our light on America. 

Through the leadership of KCCD, for the first time, the White House has invited AAPI Christians leaders to dialogue and explore opportunities for partnership through a White House Briefing and Summit. Invitees will meet with our nation's leaders, be equipped in the civic arena, and also have a platform to elevate the strengths and needs of our communities while launching a national network of AAPI Christian churches and leaders who can be engaged in the public sphere.

Summit Goals

Witness
Raise the visibility, profile, and resources of the AAPI Christian community at a national level.
Advocacy
Equip AAPI Christian leaders to better engage, advocate, and educate the broader community about AAPI needs and concerns.
Partnership
Deepen AAPI community partnerships with one another and collaborate with government and other decision makers to leverage resources and increase impact.