As a young worship leader, I had always wanted to see how other churches sing and play music. While it is not the circumstance I would have selected, seeing online worship across the world has been a silver lining of COVID-19. And as we are sharing grief over the growing anti-Asian sentiment in our country, especially as it has been targeted towards Asian American women, I don’t take for granted what it means to be seen on camera and to have your voice be heard.
Asian American Worship Leaders
In the short selection below, I highlight some of my favorite Asian American worship leaders and churches with videos from this past year. I chose churches that I became familiar with through SOLA Network. I also selected videos that had a team approach to worship leading, as opposed to a solo worship leader, to better represent and reflect the unity and diversity of each church.
While I have my own personal convictions and preferences in regards to worship leading, this roundup is not a judgment on song selection or performance ability nor is it exhaustive. I also want to acknowledge that there are special challenges for Asian American worship teams. In this article, I simply want to share the joy I’ve experienced in seeing the wonder and work of Christ proclaimed through Asian American worship leaders. I hope you find them inspiring and encouraging!
More Than Conquerors
This Easter season, especially with everything happening in the world and in the Asian American community, I encourage you to continue to point others to Christ. Lift your eyes, hearts, hands, and voices toward our resurrected Lord, savior, and treasure. We are crowned with steadfast love and mercy. We have been redeemed from death to life. Christ the King has won our victory. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
All Nations Community Church: I Will Exalt You
Located in Lake View Terrace, California, All Nations exists to make disciples of all nations and all generations by the power of the Gospel. Soft guitar picking, a steady percussion beat, subtle background harmonies, with cool and controlled vocals make for a meditative and beautiful song.
NewStory Church: What A Beautiful Name
NewStory Church from Downtown Los Angeles always impresses me with their audio and video production. What a Beautiful Name is done especially well, and the all-female vocal team for this particular Sunday was awesome. Electric guitars and lead vocals are outstanding.
Exilic Church: Good Good Father
New York City’s Exilic Church celebrated their 6-year anniversary with this special song from their praise team. I know and appreciate how much work and effort goes into making these videos! Simple piano, a slide guitar, and rich harmonies make this memorable. Since I’m in Los Angeles, I’m happy to hear fellow worship leading brothers and sisters and see what God has been doing across the nation.
Citizens Church: Rising Sun
Citizens Church, Los Angeles, aims to be a city within a city, a community transformed by the gospel, living out the life of heaven here and now. I haven’t heard this song before, but this arrangement left an impression on me! Wild drums, beautiful electrics, and eager vocals make for an exciting and inspired moment of worship.
Lighthouse Community Church: My Worth is Not in What I Own
This song is one of my favorites, and this is a beautiful arrangement and performance from Lighthouse Community Church in Torrance, California. I love how the main vocalist is looking directly in the camera, and his vocals fit the style of the song. Backup harmonies are gentle and subtle, and the keyboard patch and cello add a rich texture to the song. An excellent electric guitar solo gives this arrangement some style.
CE 130: Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me
130 Ministry is the college and young adults ministry at Church Everyday in Northridge, California. I’m getting some serious folk, almost campfire vibes from this arrangement. It is reverently calm and done with worshipful conviction.
Crossway Community Church: Lord I Need You
Crossway Church exists to be a gospel centered church. They have two locations in Southern California: Brea and Irvine. Strong vocals backed by tight strumming and a keyboard pad make for a simple, worshipful arrangement of this modern classic.
NLVC Bridge: Still
A restful track with calming instrumentals and soulful vocals. Short, sweet, and simple. New Life Vision Church in Los Angeles is a place to connect with God and with others.
Christ Central of Southern California: Build My Life
Christ Central was born from a vision to see lives changed as Christ becomes central in their community and in their compassion for Southern California and the world. They have a Fullerton campus and an Artesia campus. Minimal instrumentation highlights the harmonies, especially during the chorus.
Living Hope Community Church: Waymaker
Brea, California’s Living Hope Community Church is a place to call home. This video was for their Children’s Service, and I love the effort and attention they give to God for the kids. Nice soft fingerpicking and excellent harmonies throughout the song.
Tapestry LA: What a Beautiful Name
Tapestry LA exists to glorify God by making disciples through gospel-centered and Spirit-empowered mission, growth and community. In this video, they were celebrating Global Missions Sunday and closed their service with What a Beautiful Name in multiple languages. I loved the singing in Spanish. They have a big team for a big sound, and it’s great to see an Asian American church giving attention to the importance of the gospel in global missions.
FCBC Walnut: God is the Strength of My Heart and My Portion Forever
An original worship song I wrote for my home church, First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut — a vibrant church in Southern California — to help us trust Jesus during these troubled times. We are located in the San Gabriel Valley, home to the largest concentration of Asian American communities in the United States. In this video, I’m leading with my friend, Angie, who really helped the song come to life. I am thankful for the opportunity to lead God’s people to praise his holy name, and I hope this encourages you to write your own hymns.
One final note: I often share worship videos in our SOLA Network TGIF link roundups. Our TGIF playlist with some of our favorite worship songs is available on Spotify. I also invite you to join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group. If you have a song or video to share, reach me on Twitter or Instagram.