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TGIF: Roundup for September 15, 2023

This week we published two article readings: Alice Kim: From Dread to Doxology: Being Married to an Unbelieving Spouse, and E.L Sherene Joseph: Three Lessons We Can Learn From the Immigrant Church. Visit our YouTube channel to check out our article reads, author interviews, and popular videos.

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 to win this outstanding book! Thanks to Kevin Halloran for providing this book for our giveaway, in partnership with my newsletters for @diveindigdeep and FCBC Walnut. Is there more to stewardship than managing money? God’s Purpose In Your Suffering by Charles Spurgeon will help you trust in God’s good and gracious promises during the trials of life. Read more.


Articles From Around The Web

1. Brian Ryu: Be a Youth Minister Who Brings Families Together

“When youth pastors make it a priority to partner with parents in the work of the gospel, the vision of seeing God’s kingdom welcomed in the challenging spaces of life begins to bear fruit.”

Related: Building Bridges: How God Invites Youth Pastors Into the Work of Relational Reconciliation

2. Ruth Chou Simons: Does God Have Big Plans for Your Life?

“It’s hard to be consumed with God’s glory when we’re busy trying to acquire our own.”

Related: Telling Her Own Story: An Interview with Ruth Chou Simons

3. Matthew D. Kim: How to Handle Toxic Friendships

3 tools to help us develop empathy.

Related: Preaching to a Divided Nation: An Interview with Matthew Kim

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. Westminster Kids Podcast: Allegories That Edify: Sproul, Lewis, and More

“In this episode, hosts Remley and Faith are joined by bookstore team member Alfie! They talk about a favorite children’s series, how allegories edify both kids and adults, and C.S. Lewis on story and imagination.”

2. For the Church Podcast: Caring for the Poor

“On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ross Ferguson discuss the vital ministry of the church’s care for the poor and marginalized. Why is it important? What does the Bible say about it? And how can our churches better facilitate this ministry corporately and individually?”

3. Aaron Lee: Related Works

Book reviews: CSB Life Counsel Bible by New Growth Press, Life of Jesus in 30 Days by Trevin Wax. 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: God’s Gift Of Culture:  A Book Review Of “Tell Me The Dream Again” By Tasha Jun

“Does being a Christian cancel out our culture? In Tell Me the Dream Again, Tasha Jun shares reflections on family, ethnicity, and the sacred work of belonging.”

2. E.L Sherene Joseph: Three Lessons We Can Learn From the Immigrant Church

“With all the cultural shifts, divisions, and challenges the American church faces, we can look towards the immigrant church and learn from them. Like all churches, they are not perfect, but I believe there is much that White-majority and multiethnic churches can learn from them, especially about community and discipleship.”

3. Daniel K. Eng: Creating Unity Between Generations at Immigrant Churches: An Interview with Dr. Peter Cha

This interview provides valuable insights into the Thriving Immigrant Church Initiative and the critical work being done to bridge generational gaps within immigrant congregations, ultimately contributing to the growth and vitality of these churches.

4. Alice Kim: From Dread to Doxology: Being Married to an Unbelieving Spouse

“Understanding the role of the believing wife in its fuller context invites us to consider how God sees her. She is called to a greater kingdom purpose because of Jesus. And this same gospel hope is available to us today.”

5. TGIF: Roundup for September 8, 2023

The Way Our Landscapes Overlap / Why Youth Group Involvement Is Down (and What to Do About It) / The Necessity of Faith in Science / Only From Afar / The Softer Side of Secret Invasion

6. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription

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General disclaimer: Our link roundups are not endorsements of the positions or lives of the authors.