Thank God it’s Friday
This is excerpted from my TGIF column at SOLA Network.
Articles From Around The Web
1. Jackie J. Hwang: Looking to the Future of Diasporic Chinese in Cross-Cultural Ministries
“In conclusion, the two-pronged thinking for the Chinese diaspora to engage in cross-cultural ministry is a promising perspective that can propel them toward increasing participation in God’s mission. This model calls them to look beyond existing ministry or cultural patterns and allows the gospel to reorient their priorities. It has the potential to rejuvenate stagnant ministry habits and revitalize diasporic Chinese Christian communities.”
2. Hannah Hagarty: What Chon Believers Teach Us About Gospel Transformation
“It took eight years before there was one Chon convert. Today, God has transformed the Chon believers, transferring them from the misery of moral relativism to the joy of commitment to Christ. God uses stories of change like theirs to shake us out of our own comfort with moral relativism and to lead us to rejoice in the freedom we have in Christ.”
3. Andrea Lee: China’s Quiet Revival, One Handwritten Bible Verse at a Time
“A church sought 1,200 participants when it launched a Scripture-copying initiative. Millions of believers across the country responded.”
Books, Podcasts, Music, And More
1. Paul Kim: In a World of Clamor, the Gospel Brings Calm and Courage
“Jesus is the powerful Lord. The same Lord who was with Daniel in exile is with you and me in our exile. And one day, Jesus will bring us home out of Babylon. Until then, may the gospel fill you with courage and strength, even in a world of calamity and clamor.”
2. Brett McCracken: The False Hope of ‘Rebrand Yourself!’ Identity Shifts
“You can reinvent yourself as often as you change your profile pic. What you were yesterday matters little; the internet is about the now.”
3. Aaron Lee: Related Works
Book reviews: The Clay Pot Conspiracy: God’s Plan to Use Weakness in Leaders by Dave Harvey, Faith, Hope, and Love in a Time of Loss: A 90-day Devotional through Grief by Katrina Larson, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: A Biblical Doctrine of the Church by Guy Waters. Listen to our TGIF playlist on Spotify. Join my Asian American Worship Leaders Facebook group.
Featured This Week On SOLA Network
1. Asian American Parenting Podcast: Episode 13: Christianity, Race, and Asian American Teenagers
“In today’s political climate along with Asian American teenagers living as bi-racial and bi-ethnic people, race and ethnicity issues do impact them. Hence, it is important for parents to consider these issues and even begin to have conversations about these issues, along with their intersections with faith as Christians.”
2. Answers about Teens from Ministry Leaders, Question 1: “What Parents Should Know about their Teens”
Gower Lee – Don’t Just Parent, Pursue Your Teen’s Heart; Kevin Yi – Church Is More Than Sunday: What Kids Really Need; Monica Kim – Connection Before Correction: Understanding Teen Emotions
“‘If we are faithless, he remains faithful’ (2 Tim. 2:13). In this season of reflection and tempered regret, my faith is not in my faith, but in God. He will bring good even where my faithfulness has faltered.”
4. SOLA Network: I’m Considering Seminary. What’s Next?
“Going to seminary doesn’t guarantee a difference in personal godliness (though sanctification would be an ongoing goal), nor does it qualify anyone to pronounce judgments on the current state of the Church or cultural discourse.”
5. TGIF: Roundup for August 29, 2025
The End of New York / Learning to Forgive the Country That Oppressed Mine / I Miss the Pews / Artist or Engineer in Corporate Worship? / Loving Your Craft
6. SOLA Network: TGIF Subscription
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