As part of the Big Tent 2015, held last week in Knoxville, Tenn., two of the Racial Ethnic Caucuses and Councils elected and installed new leadership to serve two-year terms. 

The National Asian Presbyterian Council elected and installed three new members to the leadership cabinet. Victorious Adventious Hamel was installed as the moderator, Takako Suzuki Terino will serve as the vice-moderator and treasurer and Sarang Kang will serve as the secretary of the council for their two-year term, 2015-2017. Other council members include Goy Thumasathit, Phillip Khana Trih, Kristie Sihombing, Joan Fong, Saneth Sam, Stephen Koh, John Bosavanh and Chien-Di Hung. 

The National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus also elected and installed new leadership during last week’s event. The Rev. Raafat Zaki will serve as the moderator of the caucus and the Rev. Raafat Girgis will serve as vice-moderator. Adina Yacoub was elected as treasurer, the Rev. George Bitar will sere as secretary and Maha Faragalla will serve as the communications person for the caucus. 

Just prior to the Big Tent, the National Black Presbyterian Caucus elected and installed new leadership during their biennial convention, held July 9–12 in Charlotte, N.C. 

New leadership for the NBPC will serve for two-year terms, effective immediately. David Wallace was elected president, Oscar McCloud was installed as treasurer, Olgie Anderson Lee will serve as secretary and Maxine Jenkins will serve as vice-president of the caucus. 

Earlier this year, the National Council of Korean Presbyterian Churches also elected and installed new leadership. The Rev. Hyun Chan Bae was elected as moderator and the Rev. Pyung Jong Sim will serve as vice-moderator. Elder Charles Chae was re-elected as treasurer and the Rev. John Jung Shin will serve as secretary.  

“Racial Ethnic Caucuses and Councils, in varying forms, have played a significant part in the history and ethos of the Presbyterian Church for many, many years,” stated the Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter, director of Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries. “As changes continue to take place in the denomination, and as the face of our country continues to change, the relationship that the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly have with these racial ethnic caucuses and councils remains vital.”   

Under a formal covenant of understanding between the caucuses and councils, the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly, both the National Asian Presbyterian Caucus and the National Black Presbyterian Caucus serve as partners with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), working to ensure full participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within the church’s membership.

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To learn more about the work of Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries or the work of the Racial Ethnic caucuses and councils, please visit www.pcusa.org/racialethnic.