What is the relationship between KCCD and the White House?
KCCD is a nonprofit that has advocated and worked towards raising the visibility, profile and engagement of Korean/Asian American churches and their contribution to this country to the White House since 2001. In 2014, through our relationship with the White House, they asked us to mobilize and invite AAPI Christian leaders for the first time to the White House for a historic White House Briefing.
What is the relationship between AAPI Faith Alliance and the White House?
See answer above and below.
What is the relationship between KCCD and AAPI?
AAPI is an initiative of KCCD to create an inclusive umbrella for the pan Asian American Pacific Islander Christian community to raise our profile, voice and engagement in the public sphere.
Did this Summit and/or AAPI exist prior to the Obama administration?
This year's Summit will be KCCD's 9th national summit which we have held both in DC and LA starting in 2001.
Is this a Christian based Summit or for all "faiths?"
Anyone and everyone is open to attend our summits which is geared towards equipping leaders - both business, church and nonprofits as well as scholars and other leaders how to advocate, access funding and create partnerships with various stakeholders to address challenges in the community. It is however Christian based as we are led by Matthew 5:16 "let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your Father who is in heaven."
How can I stay connected with this movement whether I attend or not?
Regardless of your attendance, sign up for our 1000 initiative listserv to stay connected at www.aapifaithalliance.org.
How can I contribute to this gathering?
Your gift of presence is in itself powerful as the White House and other policymakers are not fully aware of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Christian community nor that we care about the the future of this country and those who are voiceless and that we have something to say about it. Your voice, your opinions and your presence matters. This is quite a unique opportunity and platform at the intersection of Asian American and Pacific Islander, church/faith, and community development and on top of that a White House invite! Please share this unique historic opportunity with others who are interested in this space.
What are the goals of the conference?
Our three goals is witness , advocacy and partnerships. We will be equipping our attendees to advocate for those they serve whether they are their congregants, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community or those who are voiceless. We will meet the people who make the policies which impact programs, priorities, outreach, funding and investments and the have opportunity to voice our opinion and ideas and to discuss ways that we can work together. We will find out what resources exist and how to partner with government, corporations, and institutions to address various challenges in our community and country. Ultimately not only will we make our presence known, but bless our nation's policy makers. We are going to our Nation's Capitol to build relationships to increase our voice, witness, impact and access to funding.
Is registration including accommodation, too or do I have to find an accommodation for myself?
Registration includes Summit activities and most meals. Attendees need to make separate arrangements for hotel accommodations and all transportation. We have listed some hotels on our registration page, including Airbnb.com, as resources in finding affordable lodging during your stay.
I am a Christian and question Christians getting involved with politics and White House.
As one of the pastors planning to attend said, many Korean pastors are reluctant to engage in the public sphere. He prayed to God if he should go. God answered that even Moses had to be trained in the courts and laws of Pharoah to lead the people into the wilderness. Our policy makers are making laws that impact our lives and those we serve. When our voices and presence our absent, our policy makers are unaware of our needs and challenges nor our contributions or our vision for this country. They need to hear our voices or the policies and laws will not reflect it.
