SOLA Network has teamed up with Rooted to bring you a new series in our podcast: Where the Gospel meets Asian American Faith, Culture and Parenting. Danny Kwon, Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives at Rooted, and Monica Kim, Ph.D., will be bringing you new episodes every other Thursday.
SOLA Editorial Board member Tom Sugimura contributed to a new book about the blessings of the local church from Gospel-Centered Discipleship. Read my review: Watching and Waiting: A Book Review of Broken but Beautiful.
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 InterVarsity Press for providing, in partnership with @diveindigdeep, SOLA Network, and FCBC Walnut. 1 winner will receive these excellent books! Links open to my reviews:
- Walking Through Deconstruction: Ian Harber shows how to be a companion in a crisis of faith.
- Makers by Nature: Bruce Herman offers a series of fictional letters that weave together reflections on faith, hope, and the power of art.
- How to Read the Psalms: Tremper Longman III invites readers to discover the beauty and glory inherent in the Psalms.
ARTICLES FROM AROUND THE WEB
1. Gloria Lee: Recruiting and Caring for Church Volunteers
“Ministry is always about people, not programs. At my old church, I had invested in my volunteers for four years. But with the pandemic and the shift to a new church, I found myself lacking the relationship capital I needed with my new volunteers. I’ve learned over the years that ministry thrives best in the context of relationships.”
2. Beth Claes: Before You Cut Off Your Parents: 3 Principles to Consider
“The Bible assumes we’ll have flawed parents who will fail us, and yet the consistent call is for us to honor them.”
3. James Keen: Preaching from Brokenness
“Don’t give up. When we are willing to connect with others through preaching the Word, there is a special abundance of grace God pours out that both sustains us and ministers grace to those around us. We who are broken receive comfort for comfort (2 Cor. 1:3–4).”
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, MOVIES, AND MORE
1. Abigail Talbott: Help for the Christian Perfectionist
“When I read Faith’s book, I just felt seen. She so accurately describes the feelings, worries, and doubts of the Christian perfectionist. Even better, she offers wisdom and help from God’s word for those, like me, who struggle but still want to obey.”
2. The Bamboo Pastors Podcast: Faithful Ministry Through Chinese Churches in America with Daniel K. Eng
“This week we are joined by Daniel K. Eng, professor of New Testament at Western Seminary in Portland, OR! Daniel is the editor of the recently published book Faithful Ministry Through Chinese Churches in America, a collection of articles from the Fellowship of American Chinese Evangelicals (FACE) originally published in the 80s and 90s as a resource for the Chinese Heritage Church. Listen in as we discuss this treasure trove of wisdom for the Church today.”
3. Aaron Lee: Related Works
Book reviews: The Heart of the Preacher by Rick Reed, Thoughts on Religious Experience by and Archibald Alexander. 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
In this premiere episode, Danny and Monica discuss aspects of Gospel-Centered parenting within the context of Asian American faith and culture. With the many layers of complexities that these facets bring to the table, they unpack their thoughts as parents and ministry practitioners, in addition to Monica’s experience as a biblical counselor and psychologist.
2. Aaron Lee: Watching and Waiting: A Book Review of Broken but Beautiful
Edited by Benjamin Vrbicek, this book is a project from Gospel-Centered Discipleship, with contributions by Timarie Friesen, Glenna Marshall, Tom Sugimura, Jeremy Writebol, and more. Their short stories are testimonies of God’s goodness to His people through His people.
3. SOLA Network: Resources for Lent
The season begins with the reminder of death on Ash Wednesday and will end with resounding joy on Easter Sunday. This time of year provides Christians the opportunity to sit with Christ’s sacrifice and hopefully see the immense love he has for us.
4. Patricia Nguyen: Suffering From Mental Illness and Keeping Your Faith
As an Asian-American who grew up with honor-shame culture, I know the urge to hide mental illness to save face. However, it is important to talk about it to receive help or help those involved. May God give us courage to reveal to Him and others the hidden parts of ourselves so that we can be healed.
5. TGIF: Roundup for February 28, 2025
Teaching Our Kids That They Don’t Need To Self-Justify / Don’t Preach a Commentary / A Heart for Adoption / On Training Preachers in Asia / Should Pastors Write Books? 4 Questions to Consider
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.
Header image: Lea Kobal on Unsplash.
Aaron Lee is our Editorial Curator. Aaron also serves as the Social Media Officer of First Chinese Baptist Church of Walnut in California’s San Gabriel Valley, home to the largest concentration of Asian American communities in the United States. Visit him online at DiveInDigDeep.com.