LATEST NEWS
Rev. Dr. Ronald Nakasone and former
executive director Julia Estrella are working to re-envision PACTS' future
directions with your
input. Please contact them with via the
contact page.
Thank you for your continued support of PACTS through
the years.
Mission
PACTS is an ecumenical and interfaith network that seeks to promote
dialogue around and development of Pacific and Asian American religious
reflection and societal action. We promote the training of professional
and lay leaders to connect their ministries to issues of community,
culture, and justice.
History
PACTS is a community-based non-profit organization that relies on
individual and organizational support to do our work and ministry. We
began in 1972 as one of the earliest Pan-Asian organizations to pursue the
development of Asian American theology and build and support church
involvement in civil and human rights struggles. Initially organized as
the Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies and incorporated in
1974, the name was changed to Pacific and Asian American Center for
Theology and Strategies in 1977 to reflect inclusiveness of
constituencies. PACTS was based at the Graduate Theological Union
(Berkeley, Calif.) from 1972-2002 and we were affiliates of the GTU from
1989 until May 31st, 2002.
Archives
PACTS archives thru 2002 are held
in the collections of the GTU Library.
Pacific and Asian
American Center for Theology and Strategies Collection, 1972-2002.
PACTS' extensive resource library forms the
largest part of the collection. Collected 1975-1995 it includes articles,
periodicals, monographs, and unpublished papers covering a broad range of
topics in the area of Asian American studies in theology, ministry, and
ethnic identity. Collection contains organization, program, and resource
files; photographs; audiotapes; videotapes; and computer disks.
PACTS has served as an ecumenical center
for research, resourcing, recruiting, training, and consciousness-raising
which sought to promote the fulfillment of God's mission through the
ministries of the churches and the service of community groups. PACTS
worked with seminaries to include training in Asian American ministries as
part of their programs, sponsored conferences, workshops, and other
training, informational, and community-building events, and collected a
resource library for research and dissemination of information. Directors
were Roy I. Sano, Lloyd Wake, Fumitaka Matsuoka, Julia Estrella (or
Matsui-Estrella), Deborah Lee, and Kyle Miura. Staff and other active
persons included Kathleen Thomas-Sano, Clifford Alika, and Paul M. Nagano.
