SOLA Network

In this interview with cultural critic and writer Yi Ning Chiu, Aaron Lee discusses several of Chiu’s articles and the stories behind them. Though brief, they cover much ground considering how we use or are used by en vogue thoughts and technology, and impact of K-Pop domestically and globally at the individual level, and how each story that goes to print is part of a richer and often more complex narrative.

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In this interview, Trustee member Will Chang has a conversation with outgoing SOLA Network President, Harold Kim. Harold is the founder and has served as SOLA’s president for the past thirteen years, and SOLA wouldn’t be what it is today without him and his leadership. During the conversation, Harold shares reflections about his time ministry, SOLA’s impact, and what’s next for him as he heads to South Korea to serve as the English Ministry Pastor of Onnuri Church in Seoul. We are grateful for Harold’s love and leadership these past years, and excited for how God will use him in a new country and city for his glory.Timestamps:0:00 Part 1: Intro and reflections on Harold’s time as SOLA’s President.22:00 Part 2: How Harold received the call to serve as the English Ministry pastor of OnnuriChurch in Seoul, South Korea.

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In this second episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny and Monica continue the discussion on what gospel-centered parenting looks like within the context of Asian American faith and culture. They begin by discussing Judges 2:10 and what it means to pass on faith to the next generation of Asian American kids. They then talk about the social, cultural, and historical pressures that have impacted their faith life as Asian American parents. They focus on academic success as a factor in the faith life of parents and the next generation, and discuss how as parents we can navigate educational and academic success. Danny and Monica close by sharing a bad memory from each of their teenage years.

In this premiere episode, Danny and Monica discuss aspects of Gospel-Centered parenting within the context of Asian American faith and culture. With the many layers of complexities that these facets bring to the table, they unpack their thoughts as parents and ministry practitioners, in addition to Monica’s experience as a biblical counselor and psychologist. They also touch upon the idea of Asians wanting their children to become doctors and close the episode sharing about their most cherished memories from their teenage years. Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this episode, Aaron Lee interviews author and professor Kevin Chen about his book, Wonders From Your Law.

Book Review:

In this episode, Editorial Intern Ashley Kim from SOLA Network sat down with Hadassah Betapudi and Elijah Kim, Stanford students and co-founders of Esslo. Launched in 2024, Esslo utilizes AI to close gaps in the college admission process. Hadassah and Elijah discuss their journey from being students to bringing Esslo to life. They emphasize the tool's role in enhancing human interaction and personalized feedback, as well as the importance of stewarding academic gifts to serve others. Esslo has been featured in Christianity Today.

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Marie Chan, a former California public school teacher and adoptive parent, discusses her book "Mamie Takes a Stand," which tells the true story of Mamie Tape, a Chinese American girl who fought for school rights in 1884. Mamie was denied entry to a local San Francisco school due to her Chinese descent. Chan emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in children's literature and the interconnectedness of historical events. She also highlights her work with trauma-informed support groups for adoptive parents and the significance of faith in her advocacy. Chan's research involved extensive collaboration with historians and the Tate family, and she plans to share the story with Mamie's descendants.

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What are some of the considerations for building a counseling ministry?

Tim St. John (Associate Pastor, Lighthouse Community Church),

Jonathan Holmes (Founder and Executive Director, Fieldstone Counseling)

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What are some unique challenges and opportunities of counseling in an Asian American context?

Monica Kim (Psychologist),

Will Chang (Investment Specialist, Geneva Benefits Group)

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Aaron Lee speaks with Izzy Koo, junior at Pepperdine University, about her second published book, Finding You: 8- Week Teen Bible Study Guide. They share their mutual love for youth and the importance of mentorship and discipleship.

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What Asian American youth workers wish their church leaders would know about their youth.

Kevin Yi (Editorial Member, SOLA Network),

Danny Kwon (Senior Director, Rooted Ministry)

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How the gospel/gospel-centered youth ministry can reach Asian American youth.

Cameron Cole (Founder & Chair, Rooted Ministry),

Clark Fobes (Associate Pastor, First SF Baptist Church)

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How can the church minister to singles when the norm is marriage and family?

Soojin Park (Events Manager, TGC),

Jen Kira (Women's Ministry Director, Lighthouse Community Church)

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How can the gospel help us with the drive to perform?

Faith Chang (Author, Peace Over Perfection)

Tom Sugimura (Senior Pastor, New Life Church)

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How can being together with the immigrant church be better?

Jason M. Tarn (Lead English Pastor, Houston Chinese Church),

Michael Lee (Lead Pastor, All Nations Community Church)

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What are some lessons of being at one church for decades?

Cory K. Ishida (Founding Pastor, Evergreen SGV),

Steve S. Chang (Senior Pastor, Living Hope Community Church)

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What is Asian American preaching and why is it important that we find our voice?

Hanley Liu (English Lead Pastor, First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut),

Matthew Kim (Professor of Practical Theology, Baylor University)

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What are some areas that Asian American church leaders may need to develop self-awareness about?

Daniel K. Eng (Assistant Professor, Western Seminary),

Paul Kim (Director of Coaching, City to City LA)

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What would you say to a church leader who is struggling with their current calling?

Joey Chen (Lead Pastor, Sunset Church)

David Larry Kim (Lead Pastor, Harvest Church)

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How can the gospel help us with the dark side of ministry?

Ken Shigamatsu (Senior Pastor, Tenth),

Steve S. Chang (Senior Pastor, Living Hope Community Church)

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How can theological education help women in ministry and life?

Heidi Wong (Executive Director, Exilic Church),

Cathy Chang (New Life Cousneling Center Director, New Life Presbyterian Church)

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What are the unique challenges & opportunities of Asian American women in ministry?

Soojin Park (Events Manager, TGC),

Ruth Chou Simons (Author, Now and Not Yet)

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Diversity in a Monoethnic Church

Enoch Y. Liao (Assistant Pastor, Boston Chinese Evangelical Church),

Terrence Shay (Family Associate Pastor, First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut)

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Heart Issues of Asian American Pastors

Kim N. Kira (Preaching Pastor, Lighthouse Community Church),

Will Chang (Investment Specialist, Geneva Benefits Group)

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The Asian American Church: A Space to be Ourselves

Aaron J. Chung (Senior Pastor, Exilic Presbyterian Church),

Owen Y. Lee (Senior Pastor, Christ Central Presbyterian Church)

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What is Asian American theology?

Daniel D. Lee (Dean of Fuller's Center for Asian American Theology and Ministry),

Ben Shin (Associate Professor, Talbot School of Theology)

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Speaker: Lloyd Kim Description: Why has God established the Asian American Church? Certainly to be his witnesses here in North America, but is that where our witness ends? What role do we have in participating in God’s redemptive plan for the nations? 0:00 Intro 5:00 Seven things people struggle with when they think about going on missions 28:45 Missions not just as a calling, but also as a career

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Speaker: Ken Shigematsu Description: The experience of shame is more common than we think. It isn’t confined to people who have failed or gone through trauma. People who are immensely successful also feel they are not quite enough. Drawing on Ephesians 3:16-19 and using stories from his life, Ken Shigematsu shows how a deep, experiential encounter with the love of God can heal us from the shadow of shame and enable us to live and lead with greater joy and lightness of being—to become our true self—which most reflects the beautiful image of God. 0:00 Intro 2:00 Shame - the fear of not being enough 16:15 Can you imagine someone who has loved you into who you are today? 18:30 Confession as a biblical practice 24:10 The impact of experiencing beauty 28:40 The practice of overcoming envious comparisons 34:30 God’s love for us is without condition

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Speaker: Joel Kim Description: Both the Bible and the history of the church are full of “turning points,” when the church is confronted with rapid changes and increasingly complex challenges. Most would agree that today is such a time. How do we as Christian leaders serve the church well in this changing environment? We look to the Scriptures to remind us of the limitations that we have as leaders but encourage us with the confidence in the Lord we serve as He Himself leads and guides. 0:00 Intro 1:54 Reasons for why we do not have enough frontline workers in ministry 8:50 The ideals of success discourage the path to ministry 18:00 John’s confession: “I am not the Christ” 25:00 John as a signpost 36:50 Jesus’ resurrection power at work in us

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Speaker: Enoch Liao

Description: In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy about preaching sound doctrine, fleeing temptation, and living in the power of the Spirit. What comes next? Practical instruction on working well with others for the sake of the Kingdom. We will consider ways a Christ-follower proves to be a worker approved by God in the context of local church ministry.

0:00 Intro

5:00 The Lord’s Servant

8:20 The distinguishing trait of the Lord’s Servant

9:50 What is the distinguishing trait and why is it such a big deal?

19:20 What are the practical steps to address conflict?

38:50 How is it possible to address conflict in a Christ-like way?

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Speaker: Harold Kim

Description: The more I understand and articulate my story of increasing weakness, the better I understand, appreciate and articulate the story of apostle Paul’s life and gospel ministry. What does it really mean for the power of God to be “made perfect in weakness”? How can we rest in this power?

0:00 Intro

5:23 The Pendulum

22:37 The Thorn

32:30 The Paradox

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Faith Chang and David Larry Kim read excerpts from their respective chapters in A Letter to the Asian American Church at the 2024 Asian American Leadership Conference.

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In this interview, Aaron Lee speaks with Faith Chang, one of SOLA’s editorial board members as well as a newly published author. They discuss the premise of and journey to publishing Peace Over Perfection: Enjoying a Good God When You Feel You’re Never Good Enough.

00:00 Introduction to Faith and her book

02:05 The beginnings of the book

06:13 Life is not a math equation

11:26 God loves sinners, not perfect people

16:39 Prayer poems and Faith's prayer for the book

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At our upcoming AALC conference later in April, we will be giving away copies of Writing a Letter to the Asian American Church. This book wouldn’t have been made possible without Pastor Steve Chang of Living Hope Community Church (SOLA Council Chairman) and Aaron Lee (SOLA Editorial Curator). Aaron and Steve discuss the story behind how the book idea began, and how it all came together.

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In this interview, Daniel K. Eng chats with Pastor Steven Siu of Chinese Evangelical Church of San Diego about exploring the call into vocational ministry. Along with personal stories as well as stories of those at his church, Pastor Steven highlights the Render West Coast conference coming up in May. This conference is for those who are contemplating the potential of entering into full-time ministry, seeking to affirm God’s calling for full-time ministry, or are already attending seminary. Read or listen on to learn more.

00:00 Introduction

00:57 What have you observed about Asian Americans aspiring to vocational ministry?

05:41 Why do you think people don’t consider vocational ministry?

08:00 Render West Coast

14:38 Encouragement for those considering full time ministry

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In this interview, Aaron Lee sits down with Daniel K. Eng to discuss the genesis and offerings of a new program he is leading called, “Asian American Ministry Formation”. This program will focus on leadership formation, ministry models to reach Asian Americans, and contextualization.

00:00 Asian American Ministry Formation 04:18 Preview of the class 09:40 Encouragement for ministry formation in general

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How can you have confidence in the trustworthiness of the Word? What role does history have in our interaction with the Bible? In this episode of our podcast, Aaron speaks with Susan C. Lim to discuss these questions and many more as they relate to her new book, Light of the Word.

0:00 - Intro

1:48 - Susan's History Background

3:04 - How Susan's Testimony Intersects with her background as a Historian

5:33 - Examples of ancient history's parallels with the Bible

7:50 - Writing for accessibility

9:37 - Does History Contradict the Bible?

12:14 - Is the Bible circular in its reasoning that it's God's word?

14:30 - Encouragement for Pastors

18:37 - Encouragement for those who struggle with doubting God's word

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How have churches been affected by “the great dechurching?” How can we help people stay connected to the local church? And, just as important, how does the great dechurching affect immigrant and Asian American churches?

Michael Graham, co-author of the book The Great Dechurching, spoke to SOLA Council President Steve Chang and SOLA Editorial Board member Kevin Yi about the phenomenon of dechurching.

His findings on Asian Americans leaving the church were particularly alarming:

“Because Asian American dechurching is is worse than any other ethnicity. The dechuching that's going on there is twice the rate of, of those who are Hispanic and Latino. And I think 40 or 50% faster than those who are Anglo or African American.”

But Graham was also quick to point out that it was hard to draw further statistical conclusions about Asian Americans leaving the church, simply because there isn’t a lot of data about Asian American Christians.

Other topics they discuss include:

Declining religious affiliation among Asian Americans

Church attendance and pastoral care for congregants who are mobile and don’t stay in one church their whole lives

Assisting newcomers connect with the church

Parental influence on church attendance

Telling a better story

We hope that this conversation helps all Christians to think about how we can better study the Asian American church. We also hope it will encourage pastors to think about how to serve their congregations to prevent dechurching and help former members to return and find true community.

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