EMErGE /i-ˈmərj/: TO Come Into Being

Emerge is InterVarsity Southeast’s annual Asian American student conference. As we gather students from different backgrounds and campuses, we long to cultivate a space to explore the complexities of our identity and faith in Jesus.

Through gathering together as a community to study scripture, engage in worship, and discussions we long to come away with a clearer view of ourselves and who Jesus is. Fun and food are also essential parts of this journey!

DATES

March 27-29, 2026

Location

Belmont University

Nashville, TN

COST

$100 for Conference + Lodging, or $50 for Conference Only

Speakers

Joanna Finny

Joanna is a South Asian follower of Christ whose story is shaped by her Indian roots and a deep love for seeing God at work across cultures. She holds a Master of Christian Leadership and Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, where her passion for Scripture deepened and stirred a desire to see a move of God among all nations—especially as she helps others navigate questions of identity, faith, and belonging. She is also the co-owner of Chechi’s Chai, a business she runs alongside her sister, Jess.

Jeremy Kim-Yu

Jeremy has served on staff with InterVarsity in St. Louis, Missouri since 2020 at his alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis. He is a 2nd-generation Chinese American from Boston, Massachusetts where he grew up in a Cantonese-speaking family. He was raised in and by the Chinese heritage church during his time on the East Coast. He is one year into his Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary. He hopes not to take forever to graduate. Outside of school and work, he enjoys following too many sports. being mediocre at chess, and taking random trips to underrated places with his wife, Naomi.

Brian Chang

Brian serves with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as an Associate Director of the National Faculty Ministry. He has ministered to college, graduate students and faculty since graduating from Emory University in 1997. Brian has three daughters and a wonderful wife and has really enjoyed pickleball in the past year. 

Emcee

Hannah Concepcion

Hannah is on staff with InterVarsity in Richmond, VA at Virginia Commonwealth University. Hannah is in her 5th year on staff & have had the privilege of staffing schools in TN, KY, and now VA. She is a 2nd generation Filipino American and 3rd generation German American.  She is also an artist & enjoys working in a variety of mediums including ink, watercolor, and film photography! She also finds being outdoors super restful whether it’s at the mountains, beach, or just at a local park. 

Worship Team

Hannah Blanton

Chris Yang

Emily Randles

If you are having issues registering, please contact
Rachel Harmon at Rachel.Harmon@intervarsity.org.

 *subject to change

Friday 3/27

06:30pm Arrive & Register 

07:00pm Session 1

08:30pm Small group

09:00pm Group Photo 1, Break, & Late Registration

09:30pm Community Mixer & Hangout Time

11:00pm Leave Belmont for the night

Saturday 3/28

08:00am Breakfast

09:00am Session 2

10:00am Small Group

10:30am Break

11:00am Community Building

12:00pm Lunch Out & Free Time to Explore Nashville

05:00pm Dinner at Belmont Together

6:30pm Group Photo 2

07:00pm Session 3

09:00pm Small Group

9:30pm Hangout Time

`11:00pm Leave Belmont for the Night

Sunday 3/29

08:00am Breakfast

09:00am Session 4

10:00am Chapter Time

11:00am Gather Back for Final Blessing & Depart