Interview with Al Dimaano

Al Dimaano

By Brad Dupray

As a young man, Al Dimaano was influenced by American missionaries in his Philippine homeland. Al moved to the United States to teach in the Los Angeles Unified School District and became involved in a local Christian church in Southern California. Seeking camaraderie with other Filipino Christians in the U.S., Al founded the Filipino and American Christian Convention (FACC) in 1982. Since that time the biannual convention has met in locations throughout the United States and Canada. This year, for the first time, the FACC is meeting in conjunction with the North American Christian Convention. Appropriately enough, Al is serving as president of this year”s FACC. Al and his wife, Betty, attend Knott Avenue Christian Church in Anaheim, California, where Al serves as an elder. They have two grown sons, Michael and Glenn.

Why have a Filipino and American Christian Convention?

To encourage one another to serve our local church, to have fellowship with Filipinos in North America, and to equip Filipino Christians with the skills and abilities to be more active in the Anglo churches.

Are there many Filipino churches in the U.S.?

Most of the Filipinos get involved in Anglo churches. I do know of several Filipino churches in North America. There are Filipino churches in California, the state of Washington, in Chicago, British Columbia, New York, and several in Hawaii.

Does the FACC provide strength to the growth of Filipino churches?

I would say so. At the 2006 convention in Seattle, Washington, Allan Dunbar made an altar call for Filipinos who desire to get involved in the ministry. There were 10 to 15 who came forward and said they wanted to do that. That touched my heart. I wish there was a way of knowing the exact impact of the convention.

Has the FACC been a part of the NACC before?

This is the first time we were invited to join the NACC. For this year, the FACC decided to do our scheduling based on the NACC schedule, with more emphasis for the FACC attendees to attend the North American. We have fewer seminars, fewer speakers, and fewer activities this time.

What is the significance of the two conventions coming together?

It is a privilege to join the NACC, to have them put us in the spotlight, so we”re thankful for that. There is more preparation and detail for the North American. Personally, it”s a great privilege and it speaks greatly of the FACC. It brings to the Filipino community the dynamics of the NACC, to see and be strengthened by thousands of Christians gathering together and to hear the Word from great men and women of faith. It means a lot to us.

Are there events that take place at the FACC that are unique to that convention?

We have a big event on Wednesday called “Filipiniana” which is a presentation of the cultural heritage of the Filipinos through music, poems, and dances. It is a presentation of dances from the different islands of the Philippines. The participants wear traditional Filipino costumes from the different regions in the Philippines.

What was behind the founding of the Filipino and American Christian Convention?

The motivating spirit behind the founding of the FACC is to encourage and motivate one another in service in the local churches and to assist the Philippine local churches to reach the unchurched. A group of Filipinos here also thought we could help leaders and pastors in the Philippines by providing financial support if we stand united. Another reason for the FACC is for Filipinos here in the U.S. to have fellowship, meet “old friends” from the Philippines and make new friends, and to attend seminars to equip us in serving in American churches or Filipino churches. The convention reminds us Filipinos that we are in America to build the kingdom.

How have American missions to the Philippines influenced the growth of the church in the Philippines?

Americans started the church in the Philippines. The American Christians gave us the tools and resources to continue building the church in the Philippines and to continue reaching out to the unbelievers in the Philippines. There are still many American missions in the Philippines and much American Christian influence in the Philippines. We are thankful for that.

How does the FACC function from a practical standpoint?

The FACC is patterned after the NACC organizational structure, with an executive committee and a board of directors. Every convention there is a new executive committee selected by the executive committee president and representing different areas of North America. The executive committee president is, in turn, selected by the FACC board. The board of directors and executive committee work together to decide the next convention location. The elected executive committee then decides the program and speakers in consultation with the board of directors. From time to time the executive committee will ask the board to help set up the theme, speakers, location, etc. Every convention we try to invite Filipino preachers to speak. This year we have invited four “real” Filipinos to come and speak and present seminars.

How is the convention supported financially?

It is supported through registrations, souvenir program advertisements, individual sponsors, and some supporting churches; but the major support comes from individual Christians. The convention has been generously supported by its members. God has been faithful and God has been good to the convention.

What inspires you about the convention?

I am encouraged to see the people of God, Filipinos, grow in their desire to lead and to love God and their fellow men more than ever before. I am pleased when I see them thinking of the kingdom not just in one particular area but as a kingdom in the Philippines, Korea, Thailand, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

How does this happen?

The convention for three years has supported SALT (Southeast Asia Leadership Training) to train leaders and pastors in Southeast Asia, with the focus on Filipino pastors and leaders in the Philippines. SALT has gone on to provide training in Singapore, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and among the different islands in the Philippines. The convention has also helped the first camp in the Philippines for our brotherhood””the Philippine Christian Camp in Pagsanjan, Laguna.