The following article is a short Q&A with Carissa Samuel and Benjamin Chow, two members of SOLA’s Young Writer’s Cohort who attended AALC 2024. They share about why they attended the conference, some takeaways, and how they see themselves in ‘writing the next chapter’.
Carissa Samuel: Encouraged to Serve while Cultivating the ‘next chapter’
Why did you sign up?
I was very excited when I heard about AALC. When I registered, I figured that attending would be an opportunity for personal growth, but I came away with so much more. My initial desire was to simply connect with others, and I hoped for a broadened perspective through the sessions, conversations, and everything else. Although I only had a vague idea of what the conference itself would entail, I felt like God was giving me this opportunity and would bless me through the conference just like he had through the Young Writer’s Cohort.
What were 1-2 takeaways?
Right after the conference, I felt so ‘full’, like I was overflowing with the truths to process from each of the sessions. When friends asked me for a brief summary about AALC, I was ready to pull out my notes and give them paragraphs. The conference was encouraging in ways I could not have imagined beforehand. Even though I felt a little out of place as I did not know many there, I also felt connected to the bigger picture with people who have the same heart for God in their respective ministry contexts. This was clear in each of the sessions. From the pendulum for joyful humility to the identity of a signpost for Christ, there was so much that encouraged me. I also particularly enjoyed the panels, as it was new to me to witness a complementarian space speak of women in ministry in such a loving and truthful way.
Overall, I took away a greater appreciation for the peace that is possible when I grow in knowing God’s love for me even in my weakness. In the midst of a season of questioning my worth and purpose, God spoke to me in a mighty way. He reminded me that his grace is more than enough, and that I should continue serving those in my midst. Two areas of growth that I was inspired to pursue are godly humility that leads to peace and prayerful love for those around me.
How are you thinking about yourself in ‘writing the next chapter’?
The conference energized me to continue cultivating my place in the ‘next chapter’ of God’s ongoing work. As a young person who is not in full-time ministry, I felt especially encouraged by the stories of those I connected with to grow in serving Christ for God’s purposes in my generation. Personally, I also felt a greater sense of peace as I continue to consider my own next chapter.
Benjamin Chow: AALC as Inspiration to ‘Lean In’ to our shared Asian American Experiences
Why did you sign up?
Though I was one of the youngest people at the conference, I was well taken care of. I’m especially thankful for the people who took the time to sit down with me and chat. I know there was an abundance of old friends to catch up with, or new connections to make, but I felt cared for in the efforts made to get to know me, the twenty-two year-old walking around the church looking lost. Pastor Harold Kim, in particular, prayed for me. That was a sweet moment.
What were 1-2 takeaways?
Prior to the conference, I was worried that my multi-cultural ministry context would render AALC less relevant to me.
I was sorely wrong. Throughout all of the sessions at the conference, the resounding theme was that our shared experiences as Asian Americans enable us to be natural navigators of culture. Such experiences are assets in ministry, regardless of context.
Here’s one example. I had the opportunity to attend the Tuesday afternoon breakout session facilitated by Rooted on Family Discipleship and the Church. All three presenters—Terence, Cameron, and Clark—blew me away. As someone who both works in youth ministry and identifies as Gen-Z, I found their resources insightful and applicable to my work in urban youth ministry.
Clark unpacked this idea that, because of time spent on social media, the youth today are growing up in an honor/shame culture. This culture shares more traits with traditional Asian values than American values of individualism. Thinking in terms I’m already familiar with might help me better understand the kinds of issues my students are facing.
How are you thinking about yourself in ‘writing the next chapter’?
It was mentioned multiple times that a goal of the conference was to equip and empower Asian American voices across generations. I know the conference was just two days long, but I felt inspired in that short time. And, as a member of the emerging generation of Asian American voices, I’m thankful to feel so supported and encouraged.
As I think of myself in ‘writing the next chapter’, it looks like inspiring Asian Americans of a similar background to my own to begin viewing their Asian American-ness as an asset to gospel centered ministry. There’s a lot there to unpack, but it’s exciting, encouraging, and an easy place to begin for many in my generation to start writing the next chapter.