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articles, periodicals, monographs, and unpublished papers covering a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.
