Rev. Dr. Paul & Florence Nagano
Seminarian Endowment Fund
In memory of Rev. Dr. Paul Nagano, a champion of bringing the Asian American experience and voice to the denomination and a mentor to many. Dr. Nagano, age 98 passed away on April 13th, 2019, leaving a legacy to the many who looked to him as an inspiration.
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In 1975, Dr. Nagano took the position of the first Asian Ministries director at the now American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS). He was also a key founder of our organization, the Asian American Baptist Caucus, along with the late Dr. James Chuck and the late Rev. William Shinto. He also taught at a number of theological and religious institutions in the Seattle and Berkeley areas. Pastor, theologian, husband, and father, Dr. Nagano will be missed by the many he touched for Christ.
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Florence passed on September 15, 2023 at the age of 99, in Alhambra, California. Florence was the stalwart life partner of Paul since their marriage in 1943. Following World War II, Florence supported Paul as he re-established the first Japanese-American church in California—Japanese Baptist Church, now known as Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles. Florence was Paul’s key partner and always at his side up until his passing in 2019, as he served at Japanese Baptist Church, Seattle; and First Baptist Church, Oakland, Calififornia; Paul also founded the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS, which has the Asian American Christian Fellowship/AACF college ministry), Los Angeles, and the Council for Asian Pacific Theology, Berkeley, California.
Mission
This AAABC Seminarian Scholarship Fund captures the spirit of the many Asian American leaders that have come before, setting an example of faithful service, firm identity of an Asian American follower of Christ, and inspirational leadership. In memory of Rev. Dr. Paul & Florence Nagano's dedication to Asian theological education and ministry this fund was established to provide financial assistance to Asian and Asian American emerging leaders as they seek further education and development for the fields of theology and ministry in seminary. Scholarships from the fund will support tuition, room and board, books, other supplies necessary for the students’ studies.
How to Give
You can send a check payable to "AAABC" with "Nagano Endowment" in the memo to:
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Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches
c/o Japanese Baptist Church
160 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
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Or use our "Give" page to find our PayPal link. Select the "Seminarian Fund" option and write "Paul and Florence Nagano" as a note.
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All contributions are tax-deductible.
