2026 Midwest Gathering

On May 5-7, 2026, we invite you to join us at the Chinese Heritage Church Ministers Collective in Hartford City, IN. This is a gathering for those called to serve and engage the Chinese heritage church, particularly in the English speaking ministries in the Midwest. This gathering is a collection of those serving and we pray that participants would be encouraged not so much by content, but more so by connection with others serving in Chinese heritage churches.

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Location and Lodging

Lake Placid Christian Conference Center
397 S 200 E
Hartford City, IN 47348

Schedule

Tuesday, May 5

Wednesday, May 6

Thursday, May 7

Presentations

Opening Session

Simon Boenaidi

Pastor Simon Boenaidi
Pastor Simon Boenaidi

Simon currently serves as the Youth Minister at Cincinnati Chinese Church. He is married to Elissa, and they have one daughter, Kirana. Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, Simon moved to the US to study music at Calvin College, where he also sensed God’s call into ministry. He later pursued theological training at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Simon has a passion for developing Christ-centered worship in the local church. In his free time, he enjoys music, video games and board games, hiking, and eating Ramen and noodles.

Navigating Expectations of Children and Youth Ministers in the CHC

Jon Mann

Pastor Jon Mann
Pastor Jon Mann

Jon Mann has been serving next generation ministries since 2007, first as a youth pastor at Wheaton Chinese Alliance Church and then most recently as the college & young adult pastor at San Jose Christian Alliance Church. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and was ordained in the Christian & Missionary Alliance in 2014. He just recently finished his assignment in San Jose and currently resides in the Chicagoland area.

Missional Partnership Among Congregations in the CHC

Raj Christodoss

Pastor Raj Christodoss
Pastor Raj Christodoss

Use of AI in Ministry

Justin Young

Pastor Justin Young
Pastor Justin Young

Justin Young serves as the Pastor of English and Youth Ministries at the Chinese Community Church of Indianapolis. He graduated with a BA from Wheaton College in Biblical and Theological Studies and an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife have three children. His current interests include technology, "running", and essentialism.

Preventing Burnout

Barry Gin

Pastor Barry Gin
Pastor Barry Gin

Barry has been serving at the Living Water Evangelical Church in Naperville, IL since 2013. He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, graduated with a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and was a mechanical engineer for 5 years before going into ministry. During and after seminary at Dallas Theological Seminary, he served at a Chinese heritage church in Plano, TX for 20 years. He and his wife Christine have two daughters, Xara and Keoni. Besides serving the church and being with his family, he is a diehard Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan who enjoys music, doing crossword puzzles, playing golf and Mah Jong, tinkering with his Apple gadgets, and using coupons.

Closing Session

Mike Gin

Pastor Mike Gin
Pastor Mike Gin

Pastor Mike Gin was born and raised in Chicago (and remains an avid Chicago sports fan). He received Christ as his personal savior after hearing a Sunday school story about Muscle Mike. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, receiving BS degrees in Chemistry and Ecology, and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, receiving a MS in Environmental Engineering. He worked for 4 years at an environmental engineering consulting firm in the Washington DC metro area, and then the Lord called him to the ministry. He received his MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2001 and has served as English Pastor of the Twin City Chinese Christian Church since then. He was ordained in 2003. He is happily married to Jeanne and tries to keep up with his three adult sons. He has interests in canoeing/fishing, running, ice hockey, biking, Taylor guitars, pickleball and eating.