Joshua Higashi, a junior communications major from Eugene, Oregon, will join members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Christian Community and other select student ambassadors from across the country at The Ninth Annual National Lighting the Community Summit hosted by the Korean Churches for Community Development at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., June 6-8.
“I am honored to attend this event as a representative of the local AAPI Christian Community and as a student at Northwest Christian University,” Higashi said. “I look forward to learning from the speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities that the conference offers and I will bring back what I have learned to share with the local community and our campus.”
Higashi was invited to attend KCCD’s National Lighting the Community Summit after being selected as one of three NCU students to attend The Forum for Theological Regional Discernment Retreat in California this past April for diverse students to explore how they can server their church and ultimately the world.
The Lighting the Community Summit brings together policy makers, elected officials, corporations, pastors, media, community leaders, and others committed to community development.
The theme for this year’s Summit is: Shining Our Light Owning Our Future. Highlights of the Summit include the National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Prayer Breakfast, meeting with White House Officials, the Awards Gala Dinner, as well as networking opportunities with leaders across the country.
Attendees will experience the following during the Summit:
- Workshop sessions on various government and corporate resources and partnership opportunities for churches, nonprofits, and businesses
- Opportunity to advocate directly to White House officials and government leaders/agencies
- Mentorship/Networking opportunities with influential leaders from across the county
- Collaboration opportunities for partnerships
- Lessons on best practices for community service programs
- Fundraising training
Speakers featured at this year’s summit include: Tony Suarez, the executive vice president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Jannah Scott, the deputy director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mark Brinkmoeller of the U.S. Agency for International Development; Congresswoman Grace Meng, representing the sixth district of New York; Congressman Ed Royce, representing the 39th district of California; and Congressman Mark Takano, representing the 41st district of California; among others.