Tag: Asian-American
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Things I Wish I’d Known: Reflections on 10 Years of Overseas Cross-Cultural Ministry
It’s a new year and naturally, it’s time for me to reflect and look back on all the good things God has done. Since the moment I came to faith as a teenager, I’ve been involved in cross-cultural ministry, leadership, and church planting – that was over 20 years ago! It’s only the last 10…
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Cultural Hijacking: Why You Can Longer Be Yourself
I love being Asian-American. I love devoting my life to cross-cultural work cause I believe God is passionate about all ethnic groups and cultures. I love hip-hop with heart, soul, and purpose. I love being from the streets. I love being poor. I love being a family on mission. I love America and I love…
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Chapter 12: Suicidal
My mom was clinically depressed and was taking pills to deal with it. I didn’t know it at the time but she was suicidal. Life was a deep black hole and she expressed it to my aunt living in Los Angeles in one desperate phone call in 1996. “I don’t know what else to do…
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Chapter 11: Sandals
I had to check in periodically with my probation officer downtown. His name was Officer Hewitt. Sometimes he was cool and sometimes he was an ass. This day he was an ass. “Do you like pets?” asked Hewitt. “Nah.” I answered. “Are you allergic to them?” he asked. “No, why?” I replied. “Ok, good. I’m…
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Chapter 10: Gunplay
Getting locked up in juvenile hall didn’t change my heart, it only forced a break in my criminal activities. The first thing I did upon my release was smoke a joint with the homies to celebrate my time in jail. Recognition from peers was more important than any type of consequences drummed up by the…
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Chapter 9: Locked Up
On my second day in Juvenile hall I watched a Mexican cholo get his head smashed into a table by a big black kid. The poor guy was caught unaware from the back and was being pummeled into the ground while the black kid kept screaming, “Don’t ever talk bout my momma! Don’t ever talk…
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The Lack of Cultural Diversity in the Missional Movement: Where All My Colored People At?
I was a ghetto Asian-American juvenile delinquent, fresh in the faith, when I first walked into a southern California mega-church with a group of other knuckleheads wearing saggy Dickies and oversized t-shirts. This church was located in the heart of one of the most ethnically diverse cities in America and we were excited about connecting…
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Chapter 8: Monkhood
My mom tried everything to keep me off the streets, even religion. In Southeast Asian Buddhist culture it is customary for young males to spend time in their local temple as a novice monk. It’s a way to earn merit for our past offenses and a way to earn respect from the surrounding Asian community.…
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6 Reasons Why Asian Americans Make Great Missionaries (Part 2)
The last post gave you 3 reasons why Asians can be strategically positioned to fulfill the Great Commission. Here are the final 3 reasons why you’d make a great ninja for Jesus. Reason 4) Pioneering Opportunities: Caramel Faces Just the other day we sat in a thatched house in a tiny little village at…
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6 Reasons Why Asian Americans Make Great Missionaries (Part 1)
Have you ever asked yourself if engaging the lost in some far-off country was something you could do? Have you ever considered being a cross-cultural worker for the Kingdom? Your parents, as refugees and migrants, might think you are insane for even considering going back to the country they left. But don’t fret, all things…
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You Are Not Asian: Using Culture As A Ministry Crutch
You are not Asian. You are not any color. Your identity is not based in your cultural roots. What you are, is a beacon of God’s image. You are meant to shine His glory in dark places. You are meant to be God’s living story and go wherever He tells you to go. The problem…
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Jungle Asian – This Is Who We Are
Let’s admit it folks, Americans can be some of the most myopic and culturally inept people on the planet. We live in one of the most diverse countries in the world yet many know nothing about the rich cultures of the people on our doorsteps. Take the famous Texan, Hank Hill, for example. He’s known…
The Asian Rough Rider 