CESNA is taking the next step in helping congregations thrive by engaging them proactively, strategically, contextually, and communally. Specifically, CESNA hopes to empower Chinese-American churches with congregational pastors who have support from lay leaders, especially those with shorter histories and who are more amenable to change. CESNA selects the participating churches from alumni, extension program church partners, and the partnering denomination (Evangelical Free) church pool. The Church Empowerment Program has two phases. The first phase focuses on leadership empowerment, while the second phase seeks to provide congregation-wide training. Phase 1 consists of four activities: a pastoral focus retreat, a contemporary challenges conference, a church leadership empowerment retreat, and a church site visit by a CEP pastoral facilitator. Phase 2 has three elements: an online reunion where empowerment retreat participants can share updates, short online synchronous or asynchronous courses, and a series of courses churches may select according to their specific needs.