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TGIF: Roundup for August 16, 2024

This week we featured our interview with Matthew Kim and Daniel Wong on “Finding Our Voice: A Vision for Asian North American Preaching.” We talked about the importance of recognizing Asian North American (ANA) hermeneutics and theologies as well as whether the world is ready for more ANA preachers. Previously, the video was only available – but a quick transcript is now up on our website. Matthew Kim’s breakout session from AALC24 on the same topic can be found on YouTube.

We are releasing new episodes of our conference interviews on Wednesdays and Fridays for the next several weeks. You can find the interviews at our YouTube, AALC Page, or on our Podcast. This week we focused on development and preaching. Daniel K. Eng and Paul Kim discussed Development for Asian American Leaders (YouTube, Podcast). Hanley Liu and Matthew Kim talked about Preaching from Your Own Voice (YouTube, Podcast). Find a sample, links to purchase, and a free discussion guide for our new book A Letter to the Asian American Church at sola.network/book.

It was great to see so many of you at our AALC. Let’s keep in touch on Twitter and Instagram. For more, check out my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group and TGIF Playlist on Spotify. This newsletter is one of the many ways you can stay connected with SOLA Network. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Aaron Lee, Editorial Curator

Enter our giveaway! Thanks to Cruciform Press for providing, in partnership with @diveindigdeep, SOLA Network, and FCBC Walnut. 1 winner will receive a physical copy of this excellent study guide!

From Keri Folmar’s Delighting in the Word series – In The Gospel of God: A Bible Study on Romans for Women (Vol 1) is a wise guide to help you dig deep into the text using the three basic steps of all sound Bible study: Observe, Interpret, Apply. This is a fully inductive, 18-week study on the first 8 chapters of Romans. Volume 2 is coming later this year!


Articles From Around The Web

1. Tom Sugimura: The Influence of a Godly Wife 

“Cultivate beauty that can’t be seen, but never perishes.”

2. James Choi: How Spurgeon’s Soul Struggles Led to His Church’s Soul Care

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Spurgeon viewed soul-winning holistically, not merely as conversion, but about making converts into disciples in the local church.

3. Jamie C. Finn: Why Foster Care Is Worth the Costs

“Any day — or life — spent loving and serving precious children is one well spent.”

Will you join us in embracing the call for the Asian American Church? The collective voices in our new book argue that there is underappreciated beauty, diversity, joy, benefit, and place for the Asian American church. Asian American leaders need to joyfully embrace the call to serve the Asian American church, not only for the emerging generation but for the broader church. Find a sample, links to purchase, and a free discussion guide at sola.network/book.


Books, Podcasts, Music, And More

1. TGC Podcast: Ministry to Modern Youth: Challenges and Opportunities

Clark Fobes highlights the importance of understanding diversity and cultural context when reaching Gen Z with the gospel, noting how social media has influenced a shift from guilt-innocence to honor-shame paradigms. After Fobes’s message, a panel featuring Danny Kwon, Anna Meade Harris, Cameron Cole, and Terrence Shay discusses prioritizing family ministry, integrating intergenerational discipleship, supporting a variety of family structures and leveraging existing church resources.

2. Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast: Handling and Overcoming Disappointments in Youth Ministry: With Your Senior Pastor and Senior Leadership

Justin Wong, the Pastor of Youth at Chinese Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, shares the joys of the work, as well as offering ideas about how to overcome difficulties and disappointments.

3. Aaron Lee: Related Works

Book reviews: Run to Win by Tim Challies, A World Wonder (Children’s Book) by Laura Wifler. Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.

Our Books and Reviews page is your one-stop resource for all of your reading needs. It features Asian American authors and issues, recommendations, and interviews.


1. AALC24: Preaching from Your Own Voice (YouTube, Podcast)

Hanley Liu (English Lead Pastor, First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut), Matthew Kim (Professor of Practical Theology, Baylor University).

2. Aaron Lee: “Finding Our Voice: A Vision for Asian North American Preaching” w/ Matthew Kim and Daniel Wong

An interview on the importance of recognizing Asian North American (ANA) hermeneutics and theologies as well as whether the world is ready for more ANA preachers.

3. AALC24: Development for Asian American Leaders (YouTube, Podcast)

Daniel K. Eng (Assistant Professor, Western Seminary), Paul Kim (Director of Coaching, City to City LA).

4. Young W. Yi: Angry Asian Man No More

“I preach on Sundays, provide pastoral direction to congregants, teach theology, and remind people of their identity in the Gospel and yet, I could not see it for myself that I needed to hear I am God’s beloved child.” 

5. TGIF: Roundup for August 9, 2024

Look for the Glimmers / The Love of a Leading Man / Bamboo Resilience: Christianity’s Explosive Growth in China / Guilt Grace Podcast: A Letter to the Asian American Church with Steve Chang / 3 Reasons Heaven Doesn’t Affect Us as Much as It Should

6. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription

Get our TGIF installments delivered straight to your inbox for free every Friday. Join today so you never miss out.

General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors. Header image by Dana Katharina on Unsplash.