.png)
PastoraLab
“Divided we are conquered, and united we flourish: Mutual Learning, Mutual Empowerment.”
What is PastoraLab?
Identity • Belonging • Wholeness
PastoraLab is a two-year program focused on mentorship & empowerment. It addresses the particular challenges & obstacles AAPI/WOC women faith leaders face from a historically marginalized social location.
This program provides an ecumenical/intergenerational learning space for AAPI women faith leaders to reflect on their experiences through a field-based hermeneutic that embraces their personal and social identities.
Empower
by creating an ecumenical / intergenerational AAPI/WOC space of belonging
Engage
in mutual learning through communal processes
Equip
with AAPI/WOC Christian Multivocal Identities and Adaptive Organizational Leadership
Who Can Apply?
PastoraLab currently welcomes all AAPI/WOC faith leaders serving in congregations, nonprofits, or other sectors. We also extend an invitation to pastoral spouses to join us, as we value and honor their unique experiences and contributions.
PastoraLab Highlight Video
Our
Story
.png)
Equipping Asian American faith leaders to advance equity at the pulpit.
This two-year program, which began in 2021, completed its initial three-year grant cycle in 2023. In 2024, we entered a sustainability phase, slated for the next three years, partially funded by the Lilly Endowment. This phase includes a requirement to raise matching funds over the next three years. With fundraising efforts now in full swing, we aim to sustain this popular program for the long term.
8 cohorts: LA, 2x OC, Bay Area; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; NY/NJ, Online
Check out our When Women Preach Podcast: We feature AAPI and Latina faith leaders on our podcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do we meet for PastoraLab?
Do I need to be a pastor to participate?
How much is the program?
What do we study in PastoraLab?
What is the application process?
Where are the cohorts located?
What is the program outline?
What are the participant qualifications?
What are the program requirements?
Our Team
Young Lee Hertig
Project Director / LA Cohort
Rev. Dr. Young Lee Hertig is the Co-founder and Executive Director of ISAAC. Since 1992, she has taught courses on Spirituality, Sustainability, and Diversity at Azusa Pacific University, United Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary. Extensive experience advocating for gender equity in the pulpit, Dr. Hertig has been a leader in organizing, writing, and developing programs to support AAPI women in ministry. She is the author of Asian American Belonging: A Yinist Spirituality, Orbis Books, 2019, Co-editor of Mirrored Reflections: Reframing Biblical Characters, 2010, Wipf & Stock, and Biblical Study Guide for Equal Pulpits, Cascade Books, 2022, and creator of PastoraLab for Asian American Women Ministers, a two-year mentorship and empowerment program designed to address the unique challenges faced by Asian American women faith leaders from historically marginalized backgrounds. She also created a podcast, When Women Preach, aimed at empowering AAPI & Latina women faith leaders. Dr. Hertig holds three M.A. degrees in Counseling Psychology, Theology, and Anthropology, as well as a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies.
Yale Chung
Project & Communications Manager
%20(1).jpeg)
Margaret Yu
OC Cohort Facilitator
Yale supports ISAAC through project management, communications, marketing, and other ways to build ISAAC’s mission. She graduated from University of California, Riverside, and since then has served in various project management, social media, and education roles.
Margaret Yu has been the primary caregiver for her 2 elderly parents since 2023. She is learning to practically ascribe worth and dignity to her aging parents by caring for them with God's love. Caregiving has been the greatest and most challenging role of her life. Prior to this, she served as the National Director of Epic Movement, the Asian American ministry of Cru where she had served for over 35 years. Her campus experiences span the globe from Milwaukee to Berkeley, to East Asia to Uzbekistan or to Orange County where she currently resides. Margaret's passion is to see BIPOC men and women empowered to take their place in God's kingdom as honored servant leaders. She calls herself a leadership geek who loves talking and practicing shared leadership with others. Margaret’s interests include mentorship or leadership development, talking shop about the NBA, and being at the beach. She is also an avid Michigan Wolverines fan as that is her alma mater. Margaret holds a Master's Degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is also a certified personal development life coach with Leader Breakthru; she desires to support individuals and leaders in their transitions and in their desires for wholeness.
Soo Ji Alvarez
OC Cohort Facilitator
Soo Ji Alvarez is an ordained Pastor and Field Superintendent with the Free Methodist Church in Southern California. With a population of over 23 million over 56 thousand square miles, Southern California is both geographically and culturally diverse. To ensure that Free Methodist Churches have the support and resources they need to thrive, Soo Ji oversees the growth and development of ministries in order to cultivate healthy and diverse leaders, pastors and churches. Soo Ji loves doing life and ministry with her husband Joe.
Mia Chang
NY/NJ Cohort Facilitator
Lead Pastor, founded NextGen Church in 2008. Ordained as a pastor by the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey upon completing her studies at Alliance Theological Seminary in New York. She obtained her doctorate in ministry studies at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University in PA.
Cris Coniconde
NorCal Cohort Facilitator
A family pastor at Highway Church community. She is currently in the Masters of Theology & Ministry program with an Asian American ministry concentration at Fuller Theological seminary.
.png)
Florence Li
Atlanta, GA Cohort Facilitator
.png)
Irene Wong
Atlanta, GA Cohort Facilitator
Beverly Chen
Boston, MA Cohort Facilitator
Florence Li served as the National Coordinator of Asian Ministries, and as the Chair of ISAAC’s board. Born in Hong Kong, relocated to the U.S in 1976 and ordained in 1987, Li worked tirelessly to strengthen Asian church ministries by providing resources to pastors of Asian churches and gathering them together through local, regional and denominational events and conferences. She graduated from Hunter College with an MSW in Administration, an M. Div., from American Baptist Seminary of the West, and a BA degree in Social Work from Ottawa University.
Rev. Irene Wong has been the Executive Director of AMIS Atlanta since 2017. Born in Ohio, raised in New York City, Irene has called Atlanta home for over 20 years. As a third-generation Chinese-American, she has always been interested in international cultures. She majored in East Asian Studies at Brown University and has an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. Rev. Wong is an ordained PC(USA) minister.
Beverly Chen is a licensed clinical social worker and the Director of Wellbeing Education and Training at Boston University, where she designs and leads workshops and courses aimed at promoting student wellbeing. Drawing from a rich background in higher education and mental health, Beverly has worked at several institutions, including Duke University, Harvey Mudd College, Westmont College and Azusa Pacific University. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan and is trained as a spiritual director through the Center for Spiritual Development and Loyola Marymount University. Over the years, Beverly has led retreats and workshops for a variety of audiences, including staff leaders with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) college students and young adults. Beverly was a co-facilitator for the national online cohort of PastoraLab in 2021-2022. As a previous member of Asian American Women On Leadership (AAWOL), she contributed to the book Mirrored Reflections: Reframing Biblical Characters (2010). Her passions include soul care, mentoring and coaching young adults, teaching, writing, traveling, hiking, and savoring diverse cuisines.