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TGIF: Roundup for November 17, 2023

Sometimes it can feel impossible to serve God. We don’t feel special or qualified. But the fact of the matter is that God has given each of us unique talents, and we must discern how to use them. Read my new article presenting a short theology of serving: What Does it Mean to Serve God? 

In case you missed it: We’re writing a book! We just announced our SOLA Network Book Project: Writing the Next Chapter of the Asian American Church. We believe it is time for SOLA Network to put in writing thoughts that would help the emerging generation of Asian American leaders and churches. Our book will launch at the 2024 Asian American Leadership Conference. More details coming soon. Registration for the conference is now open!

This newsletter is one of the many ways you can keep in touch with us. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more, check out my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group and TGIF Playlist on Spotify. You can reach me on Twitter and Instagram.

Aaron Lee, Editorial Curator

Enter our giveaway! Warm up this winter season by spending extra time in Scripture. This curated 5-book bundle from Moody Publishers will help your heart rest in God’s Word during the holidays. Thanks to Moody Publishers for providing these books for our giveaway, in partnership with my newsletters for @diveindigdeep and FCBC Walnut. 1 winner will receive physical copies of these excellent books! Links open to my reviews:

  • How can you get better at Bible memorization? In Memorizing Scripture, Glenna Marshall offers a guide on the basics, blessings, and benefits of meditating on God’s Word. She gives reasons and practical tips to help you hide God Word’s in your heart.
  • In No Greater Love, Rebecca McLaughlin reveals a biblical vision for friendship. In 10 chapters and just over 150 pages, McLaughlin shows that Christian friendships are powerful and precious.
  • Where can you hear wisdom? In Wisdom’s Call, K. A. Ellis writes 100 meditations for a life in Christ.
  • What is God’s will for women? In Called to Cultivate, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik presents a gospel vision for women and work.
  • Where can you find spiritual warmth this holiday season? In Winter Fire, Ryan Whitaker Smith shares a Christmas with G. K. Chesterton.

Articles From Around The Web

1. Abraham Cho: The Gospel in Three Dimensions

“When the gospel enters the individual human heart, it takes the heart and turns it inside-out by grace through faith in the substitutionary atonement of Jesus. When the gospel enters human communities, it takes that community and turns it upside-down by grace through the self-emptying love of the incarnation of Jesus. And when the gospel enters the material world, it takes the world and turns it forward-back by grace through the sure hope of the bodily resurrection of Jesus.”

2. Caleb Greggsen: International Churches as Strategic Gospel Multipliers

“International churches can work as strategic platforms for enhancing existing gospel work in a city. This happens through a variety of approaches to cooperation and encouraging more people to relocate to an international city to live ordinary lives for gospel purposes.”

3. Kate Carter: What 3 Church Fathers Teach Us About Orphan Care

“Not every Christian is called to adopt, but every Christian can participate in fostering a culture of adoption, be it through financial support, meeting practical needs during the adoption process, or praying faithfully alongside adopting families.”

4. Matthew D. Kim: Homiletic for the Hurting

Two tips for pastoral/pulpit holiday care.

Asian American Leadership Conference 2024: “Writing the Next Chapter.” April 23-24, 2024, Orange County, CA. Registration and more info can be found at aalc.network.

The vision of this conference is to equip Asian-American leaders with gospel centered, contextual resources that will empower men and women for local church ministry. Our conference strategy is to equip leaders, platform voices, and connect with one another for life-giving relationships.

The theme of our conference is “Writing the Next Chapter: Empowering Asian American Voices for Gospel Ministry”. The Asian American church today is at a unique inflection point with leaders in diverse stations across multiple generations. This conference will be an opportunity to learn from these voices for the sake of continued and future Gospel work together.


Books, Podcasts, Music, And More

1. Ask Pastor John: How to Lead Teens Deeper into Their Bibles

How can youth leaders lead teens deeper into their Bibles? By teaching with an eye on language, a heart for reality, and a knack for question-asking.

2. Aaron Lee: Related Works

Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.

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


1. Aaron Lee: What Does it Mean to Serve God?

Sometimes it can feel impossible to serve God. We don’t feel special or qualified. But the fact of the matter is that God has given each of us unique talents, and we must discern how to use them.

2. Daniel K. Eng: Where We Really Belong: An Interview with Author Michelle Lee-Barnewall

Dr. Daniel K. Eng’s interview with Michelle Lee-Barnewall, author of A Longing to Belong: Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Race, which discusses the topics of race and race relations by integrating a biblical worldview and her personal experiences.

3. The Bamboo Pastors Podcast Returns for Season Four

The Bamboo Pastors Podcast is back with its fourth season. SOLA Network is a proud partner of the podcast, which is hosted by Jalon Chan of Chinese Christian Fellowship Church and Jon Mann of San Jose Christian Alliance Church as they “explore the joys and challenges of being English-speaking pastors in the Chinese church.”

4. Cory Ishida: Letters from Grandpa: A Theology of Work, Part 4

“Work allows us to cooperate with God’s purpose, work allows us to supply our needs, and allows us to grow in Christ.”

5. TGIF: Roundup for November 10, 2023

The Sovereign Lord is My Strength / I Started Attending Diwali Parties to Break Out of My Christian Bubble / Don’t Overlook Commuter-Campus Ministry / Church Planting: One Step at a Time / The Important Role of the Church in Family Discipleship

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.