Asian immigrants represent the fastest growing minority group in the United States. Of the 15 million or so Asians who live in North America, a whopping 97 percent are said to be unchurched! About 80 percent are of Buddhist or Hindu background. Many are involved in the high-tech, bio-med industries. Although 14 percent say that they are Christian, most of these Asian Christians are not involved in regular church activities or being discipled in any meaningful way.

 By the year 2010, projections have over 25 Asian million people living in North America. By the year 2040, approximately 52 million Asian-Americans are expected. The largest ethnic groups among Asian immigrants are the Chinese, Asian Indians, Vietnamese and Koreans, with each of these groups hovering around the 2 million mark. Of the four, the Chinese and Asian Indians are growing extremely fast, as the immigration and birth rates of the mainland Chinese and Asian Indians are making a profound mark in the United States population growth rates.

The Asian communities in North America are not only ripe mission fields, but are extremely strategic. By sharing the Gospel with our Asian neighbors in our communities and discipling them, Lutherans can have a substantial impact upon the mission field overseas in Asia, which consists of about half the world's population, most of which is unchurched. The Asians we disciple in North America have family, friends and business connections overseas. North American Asian Christians are already having an deep affect upon the mission field in Asia.

• Raise awareness about the Asian mission field and facilitate initiation of new outreach.
• Identify, recruit, assess, and support indigenous Asian ethnic leaders, missionaries and church workers.
• Establish strong training programs for Asian ethnic missionaries and church workers.
• Provide networking and coordination for Asian ministries in North America (and to a lesser extent, in Asia).

CAME sponsors annual Asian Mission Leaders Summits and several Asian ethnic ministry conferences, such as the Chinese Ministry Conference and the Hmong Ministry Conference. Go to the Conferences Page to learn more about conferences sponsored by CAME and conferences where a CAME speaker presents.