Tag: God’s glory
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Discipleship Is Our Greatest Protest
The AsianRoughRider challenges readers to move beyond surface-level activism by embracing discipleship, which involves a process of following Jesus that leads to transformation, system change, and fear of God. He contrasts this with performance-based activism, arguing that true protest must embody these biblical principles, embracing a life of radical obedience that reflects the love and…
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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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Unsilenced: Voices from Laos’ Church Movement
In the heart of rural Laos, a young girl from the So tribe discovers the power of worship, a woman is set free from demonic oppression, and a church planter lives out the Kingdom parables of Jesus. Hear true stories from local practitioners behind one of Laos’ fastest and largest current church planting movement. Years…
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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 Death Of John Allen Chau: Rough Rider Or Reject?
I’ve been involved in cross-cultural mission work for almost 20 years and have lived overseas for the last 11. When I first heard about an American missionary dying on a remote island at the hands of the tribe he was trying to reach, I was immediately confused and critical. I thought this was another classic…
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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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Hunger (Spoken Word)
Spoken Word is meant to be SPOKEN. Reading it silently doesn’t do it justice. You can’t feel the words, hear the rhymes, listen to the inflections and see the emotions. I’ve revised and now reposting this piece from a while back. I didn’t write this according to any type of poetic rules (cause I don’t…
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10 Reasons Why Mission Matters in a Post Missional World
Last week I was with persecuted Christians. A young mother was taken away in handcuffs and placed in leg shackles and put in a dingy wooden village jail, treated like a common criminal. Her only crime…refusing to sign a paper that would effectively deny her faith in Jesus. This week I’m with privileged Christians. After…
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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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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.…
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The Way of the Ninja: 6 Ways to Define Our Missional Role
Every Asian kid growing up has one time played ninja. You take a black t-shirt, wrap it around your head, make some paper throwing stars and hide in the closet to get the drop on your unsuspecting brother or sister. Movies and pop-culture show the ninja to be a bad-ass warrior. But real life ninjas…
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Catfish & Rice: Finishing the Task by Reproducing Disciples
In the west we equate time with money. In the Kingdom of God we equate time with souls. Every second someone somewhere in the world dies without ever hearing about the hope offered in Jesus. Every second God is being robbed the glory and fame that is due his name. As the population of the…
The Asian Rough Rider 