Asian American Young Adult Ministry focuses on retention and outreach for young adults aged 18-30. This age group experiences prolonged education, delayed marriage, career searching and instability in transition. Effective ministry provides positive youth experiences, continued connection through opportunities like internships and projects, and mentoring relationships. It also maintains a relevant philosophy and leadership style that utilizes young adults' talents, sees maturity differently, and releases young adults to bless others rather than trying to retain all of them.

1. Asian American Young Adult Ministry Retention & Outreach 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

2. General Background Age 18-30 Emerging Adulthood Prolonged education Delayed marriage Career search Time of instability/ Transition Lack of Commitment High ideal: looking for significance & purpose Unrealistic: unwilling to spend the time & effort Extremely talented & educated 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

3. High Retention & Effective Outreach Positive experience growing up as a youth in church Ministry philosophy that values mentoring Continued connection & ministry opportunity The importance of Critical Mass The Social Network Relevant ministry philosophy & leadership style Kingdom Perspective & Mutual Blessing 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

4. Positive Youth Ministry Experience To Do To Avoid Belonging & acceptance Nurture competence & responsibility Working as a team between Sr. Pastor/ Youth pastor/ Parents Leadership development & deployment; Evangelism Judging & Condemnation Viewing youth as incompetent & irresponsible Abdicating their own duties & unrealistically expect the other parties to fill the gap More Knowledge without practical application 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

5. Mentoring Our attitude toward the Youth’s capability of responsibility and leadership They can be small group leaders, some of them great small group leaders Cultivate a culture of people-driven leadership instead of task-driven leadership With these deep Mentoring relationships, many HS graduates become attached to the younger students & want to come back to help 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

6. Continued Connection & Opportunities Facilitate continued connection College: on campus visit, care packages Holiday pot-lucks for college students Ministry opportunities: Summer college internships Staff counselor in youth group, organize youth camp Project Manager: (i.e., create a video that advertises the church/ youth group) Worship team AVOID: obligating them to teach Sunday School (guilt them into doing your agenda) 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

7. Critical Mass & Social Network It is easier to gather when you have all the above elements in place Very rare you can start YA ministry from scratch Appropriate expectation What is the need of the AA Young Adults? 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

8. Relevant Ministry Philosophy & Leadership Style The brightest, most committed young AA leaders – what do they care about? Do they have a place to flourish within your church? Is your church organized in a way where their potential contribution can be quickly utilized? Is your church flexible/ creative enough to take advantage of their talents? How do you define maturity & leadership? 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686

9. Kingdom Perspective & Expectation Expectation: We will not retain all We need to aim for building them for a good foundation There is realistic limitation to our effort, our ministry will minister to some better than others We want to release them to bless others; not to hold onto them 2011 BASS Presentation: Asian American Young Adult Ministry by Pastor Peter Wang pastorpeterwang@gmail.com 408-656-6686