Tag: church
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Christmas in The Shadows
During Christmas, we remember believers in “creative access nations” where faith can lead to persecution. Ordinary believers share their faith through personal connections, transforming whispers into a powerful Gospel movement.
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Reimagining Church: From Consumer Christians to Catalytic Called-Ones
The Asian Roughrider reflects on his 15 years abroad before reconnecting with U.S. churches, questioning their need for transformation. He highlights the critiques from Soong-Chan Rah on consumer Christianity and JR Woodward’s focus on active discipleship. Ultimately, he encourages a return to Scripture and genuine community engagement to fulfill God’s mission.
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Deeply Rooted Churches
The New Testament church, or “ekklesia,” embodies God’s people called to reflect His image. The church’s purpose is to gather worshippers of all nations, living out the Kingdom of God. To fulfill this, churches must prioritize loving people, making disciples, and participating in the mission of God. Deep roots are needed for churches to flourish…
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Death of a Seed
I remember his smile best. Tai had this quiet humility about him…it was his smile that said, “God changed me, Jesus is my everything and I want the world to know it.” Tai was part of a team of local leaders I had been coaching for years. He wasn’t always a faithful church planter but…
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Jesus’ Answer to Racial Injustice
1. Perspective: If all you see is race, then you’re looking through a broken lens. Jesus didn’t see race…he saw people. People with names, stories, cultures, languages, and histories. Jesus saw and knew George Floyd before you and I ever did. Jesus knows every person who has ever experienced injustice and pain…and he cares more…
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The Millenial Minority Missionary
These two words, “Millennial” and “Missionary”, mostly contradict one another. When contradictory words are put together, it forms a figure of speech called an oxymoron, kinda like “jumbo shrimp” and “disgustingly delicious” ….it don’t make a whole lotta sense. Sorry to disappoint you, the millennial missionary doesn’t exist, at least, not in the way we…
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The Soulful Leader
A lot has been said about leading well, much less has been said about finishing well. Leaders are usually recognized when they’re on top of the world; when there’s over a million in the bank or over a million followers on social media. Leaders are known when thousands are flowing into their churches or when…
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How to Love White Evangelicals
Racial and cultural tension in the western church is at an all-time high. With all sides speaking into the issue without, it seems, a way forward. Minority voices in the church are beginning to rise above the supremacy of white evangelicalism, which historically has been in a place of power, prestige, and privilege. Love, respect,…
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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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Who You Date, What They Believe, And Why It Matters
I’m an urban jungle ghetto Asian dude and not an expert in relationships, marriage or dating. I grew up watching my Dad watch porn on those old-school VHS tapes. I’ve seen grown Asian men have affairs with minor wives like it was nothing. I’ve been around young girls who cake their faces with makeup and…
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The Tower of Babel Syndrome: Our Fame Vs. God’s Fame
Some of us will do whatever it takes to get famous. Let’s be real, we all want to be known for something, even I do. 50 Cent’s “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” is not just a thug rapper mantra, it’s an attractive philosophy in a sexy bright red dress pulling on the deepest recesses of…
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Christmas and Religion is for Suckas
If you grew up in the USA as a refugee or immigrant from another country then you probably, like me, got duped into thinking Santa was going to bring you presents. Being born on Christmas Day I thought I had it made. But when the gifts never came I realized the truth, that Santa couldn’t…
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Denying Jesus With Pen & Phone
DENYING JESUS WITH A PEN Last week my friends were sitting inside a village office in a third world communist country. Local leaders and police with stoic faces sat around the room, one held an AK-47. On a table in front of my friends was a piece of paper and a pen. All they had…
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Modern Day Slavery, From Fear to Freedom
Slavery comes in many forms. It exists in every culture…even among tribes in Southeast Asia. I had never seen a tribe so remote. After 2 hours of motorbiking and 3 hours of boating we finally arrived in a small village along the river. The houses sat on stilts, the roofs were made of thatch and…
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Love My Sheep: Discipleship in the Midst of Persecution
We rode our motorbikes down the valley with apprehension and occasional fear, though our hearts were full of faith. The last couple weeks have been difficult for the more than 60 ethnic minority believers in the village churches down the remote valley. Even the strongest leaders felt the pressure bearing down on the young flock.…
The Asian Rough Rider 