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PastoraLab
Research Project
Quantitative Research on Asian American Congregational Leadership Practice
From 2022 to 2024, ISAAC conducted the pilot phase of its national survey aimed at understanding the practices, challenges, and growth trends of Asian American congregational leadership. We disseminated the survey to 800 Asian American English Language Faith communities. The preliminary results provide important findings for understanding Asian American churches including their leadership culture and participation in stopping anti-Asian hate.
New funding will allow Phase II of this research so the survey can be disseminated to our entire database of 6,000 Asian American congregations.
Our Team
Dr. Rev. Young Lee Hertig
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.
Dr. Jerry Park
Jerry Park is an Associate Professor of Sociology and an affiliate fellow of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion. His research interests include the sociological study of religion, race, identity, culture, and civic participation.