Save the date! Our next Asian American Leadership Conference will take place in Orange County, California on April 28-29, 2026!
In our new interview, AI for Good, Editorial Intern Ashley Kim from SOLA Network sat down with Hadassah Betapudi and Elijah Kim, Stanford students and co-founders of Esslo. Launched in 2024, Esslo utilizes AI to close gaps in the college admission process.
Keep in touch on X 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, X, and Instagram.
Aaron Lee, Editorial Curator
Enter our giveaway! Thanks to P&R Publishers for providing, in partnership with @diveindigdeep, SOLA Network, and FCBC Walnut. 1 winner will receive these excellent books! Links open to my reviews:
- Who are we, and why do we matter? In Making Sense of Man, Vern S. Poythress offers biblical perspectives to develop a theology of humanity.
- In A Treasury of Nature, Leland Ryken writes a beautiful 40-day illustrated devotional of classic literature.
- How can Christian teens truly understand who they are? In Identity, Lindsey Carlson offers a 31-day devotional designed to help teens discover their identity in Christ.
Articles From Around The Web
1. Heidi Tai: Unmasking the Prodigal Daughter
“God knows the reasons for our shame, but instead of condemning us, he demonstrates at the cross a love that is unfailing, unconditional, unwavering and undeserved. This gospel, if truly understood, will free us from both crushing worthlessness and defensive self-righteousness—attitudes that prevent us from true repentance and showing up before God and others as we truly are.”
2. Blake Glosson: Break Shame’s Chains Through Christ
“Satan wants to use shame to drive you away from Jesus. He knows that in Christ’s presence, shame is released. But if you take one thing from this article, let it be this: Jesus is the remedy to your shame, not the cause. He is who you need most in your brokenness and sin.”
3. Ashley Anthony: Redeeming the Sunday Morning Struggle
Long before we step through the sanctuary’s threshold our worship begins. This Sunday, we’ll probably face the same struggles and temptations to believe that our efforts are fruitless. We’ll probably still face spilled milk, failed attempts to squeeze tiny feet into shoes, and the last-minute rush to get everyone in the car. But we can face every inconvenience and temptation knowing that our efforts and our heart attitudes are a sacrifice of worship on the Lord’s altar.
SOLA Network is excited to co-host an inaugural Asian American Youth Workers Training Day with Rooted Ministry. Steve Chang, Hanley Liu, Monica Kim, Clark Fobes, and a handful of other familiar faces will lead workshops and panels with attendees throughout the day. The Conference will take place on March 15, 2025 at Living Hope Community Church in Brea, California from 9AM to 5PM. Learn more.
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
1. 9Marks: A Storm in the Desert
In 1972, at the base of a Swiss mountain, God saved a man named Mack Stiles. Two decades later, John Folmar “accepted Jesus as his personal Savior”; he doesn’t know even where he first heard that phrase. What happens in the next quarter-century is a testament to God’s commitment to use faithful, ordinary ministry to effect fruitful, extraordinary change. A Storm in the Desert tells this story.
2. John Piper: Living with Gospel-Sized Ambition
“Acts 20:24 has encouraged and challenged Christians throughout the centuries. How, in particular, has it shaped the life and ministry of John Piper?”
3. Aaron Lee: Related Works
Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.
On Kindle Now! A Letter to the Asian American Church. The collective voices in our 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.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Ashley Kim: AI for Good: Meet the Founders of Esslo
Editorial Intern Ashley Kim from SOLA Network sat down with Hadassah Betapudi and Elijah Kim, Stanford students and co-founders of Esslo. Launched in 2024, Esslo utilizes AI to close gaps in the college admission process. Hadassah and Elijah discuss their journey from being students to bringing Esslo to life. They emphasize the tool’s role in enhancing human interaction and personalized feedback, as well as the importance of stewarding academic gifts to serve others.
2. Pan Xihong: How Global Believers Can Pray for China
“There are no coincidences. This is God’s wonderful work. He wants to expand his territory – to bless more churches, and revive more cities. Praise the Lord! This is all the result of prayer.”
3. TGIF: Roundup for February 7, 2025
God Forms Us Through Failure / Serving Teenagers from Immigrant Families / Theology Should Be the Primary Language of Your Kids / On Pastoring in Japan / Gen Z, Fight ‘Brain Rot’ by Reading Books
4. 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 Ingmar H on Unsplash.