10 Asian Fellowships Unite 200+ in Orlando for SBC Event

When Bishop A.B. Vines asked 200 people to form a circle and lock arms, he was about to demonstrate something powerful. Playing the role of "disunity," he tried to break through their linked arms and failed everywhere he tried.

The moment happened at the Asian Collective's Kickoff celebration on June 7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together 10 Asian ethnic fellowships within the Southern Baptist Convention, including Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Myanmar, Thai, and Vietnamese communities.

"Unity can change everything," Vines told the crowd. "Unity takes guts and intentionality."

Vines, a Black pastor from New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, California, received the first-ever Kingdom Unity Award from the Asian Collective. The award recognized his 25 years of gospel-centered ministry and his work strengthening believers across cultures and generations.

Victor Chayasirisobhon, executive director of the SBC Asian Collective, presented multiple awards throughout the evening. GuideStone Financial Resources earned recognition as a mega sponsor, while the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board received appreciation awards for making the celebration possible.

Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, shared an encouraging message about how far Asian churches have come. "In my lifetime, Asian churches are no longer objects of mission," he said. "They are partners in the mission of getting the Gospel to all the world."

The Ripple Effect

The gathering represents a significant shift in how Asian congregations participate in Southern Baptist work. What once were separate ethnic groups receiving support have become unified partners sending missionaries and resources to communities worldwide.

Charles Grant from the SBC Executive Committee highlighted practical tools for cooperation, including "Navigating the SBC," a guide now available in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and French-Creole, with more languages coming soon.

The event brought together not just pastors and leaders but entire communities committed to working across cultural lines. Two support groups, the Asian NextGen Pastors Network and the Ethnic Research Network, also participated in the celebration.

Vines preached from Psalm 133 about God's plan for His people to live in unity. "Unity is not uniformity," he explained. "There will be differences, but the important thing is to not let unity be quenched by a lack of uniformity."

When diverse communities lock arms with intention, even disunity cannot break through.