Attending SAGC In Singapore

By Sam George
Published 08/26/2009

Sam George

Sam George is the Executive Director of PARIVAR International - a non-profit initiative to address the needs of youth and families of Asian Indian origin in North America and to the Asian Indian community worldwide. Parivar means family in many Indian languages. Sam George also serves as one of the founding directors of Urban India Ministries
www.UrbanIndia.org Sam George and his wife, Mary have spoken at premarital and family events in many countries. They are parents of two boys and make their home in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Sam is the author of the book “Understanding the Coconut Generation: Ministry to the Americanized Asian Indians." Check out this website www.CoconutGeneration.com Coconut (brown on the outside, white on the inside) is a metaphor for the Americanized Asian Indians. Sam George can be reached at sam@coconutgeneration.com

SAGC is a gathering of South Asians from around the world. This time it is in Singapore. Previous gatherings were in London in 2007 and Vancouver in 2004. It is amazing to see the gaining of momentum and great internet working among emerging leaders of South Asian origin.

I got here couple of days ago. Good to be back in Singapore after many years. But it is quality of people that you meet and see what God is doing around the world in this community. It is very humbling to hear stories of life transforming and stories of new ministries. There is undoubtedly lots of passion and great penetration into emerging generations of South Asians.

So far I have met fourth generations Tamils in Malaysia, staying with an Indian missionary in Cambodia, third generation from Denmark, Second generation from Scotland, Singapore and Australia. So many more people to meet and hear their exciting stories.

Later tomorrow, I will be presenting a paper on Family Issues in South Asian Diaspora. How dispersion from Indian subcontinent to rest of the world has affected family systems and faith formation. This is an amazing platform to bounce off your reflection and develop a Diaspora Theology and Missiology for South Asians. Collective wisdom and practical insights for ministry in such gathering are of immense value.

More later.

Coconut Generation