SOLA Network

In this episode of the Sola Network Leaders Podcast, hosts Kristin Whitmore, Wilson Wang, and Rika Matoba Lopez engage in a candid discussion about sexual addiction and love addiction, particularly within the context of the church. They explore the hidden prevalence of these issues, the impact of family dynamics, and the importance of creating safe spaces for open conversations. The episode emphasizes the need for accountability, the damaging effects of pornography, and offers hope and resources for recovery, encouraging church leaders to address these topics openly and supportively.00:00 Introduction to the Conversation on Sexual Addiction02:50 Understanding Love Addiction and Its Impact05:47 The Role of Family Dynamics in Addiction09:06 Defining Love Addiction and Its Characteristics11:57 Bringing Conversations About Addiction to the Church14:45 Creating Safe Spaces for Discussion18:10 The Importance of Accountability in Recovery21:05 Engaging with Sexual Addiction and Pornography23:55 Statistics on Sexual Addiction in the Church27:05 The Damaging Effects of Pornography29:56 Hope and Resources for Recovery33:11 Final Thoughts and Prayer for Healing

In this conversation, Tom discusses the importance of writing with the intention of glorifying God rather than seeking personal validation. He emphasizes that true worth comes from faith and grace, not from accomplishments or the quality of one’s work. Tom reflects on the temptation to fall into a works mindset and highlights the significance of Ephesians 2:10 in understanding one’s identity in Christ.

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny and Monica consider the topic of the long-term faith of teenagers, after they graduate high school and beyond into adulthood. They challenge Asian American parents of teenagers and children to nurture long-term faith in their children and teenagers, and discuss factors impacting a faith that lasts. They also discuss differences in immigrant generations raising their children and teenagers versus subsequent generations, and challenge listeners to learn from prior generations.

Written and read by Faith Chang.Full article:https://sola.network/article/to-those-who-feel-the-pull-of-hopelessness/Faith Chang (B.S. Cornell University; Certificate in Christian Studies, Westminster Theological Seminary) serves at Grace Christian Church of Staten Island where her husband is a pastor. She is a mom of four, team member at WTS Books, and author of Peace Over Perfection, Enjoying a Good God When You Feel You're Never Good Enough. You can find more of her writing on her Substack:http://faithchang.substack.com/

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny and Monica discuss the idea of family rhythms and their importance for teenagers and parents, especially with teenagers, from both a biblical perspective and also supported by current research. They acknowledge that while it is not always easy to establish these with teenagers for parents, that they are not only important but are very impactful. They follow up this discussion by considering ways parents can structure and establish these rhythms with their teenagers.

Wilson Wang interviews Jason Min, lead pastor of Citizens LA (downtown Los Angeles), about pastoring a predominantly Asian American church in the heart of LA. Jason reflects on planting four months before COVID, how that “reset” shaped Citizens’ identity, and how they navigate LA culture – trend-setting, creative, image-driven – while resisting its idols of celebrity, hustle, and consumerism. They also talk about silence and solitude, emotionally healthy spirituality, authenticity, and the unique role Asian American churches can play in the wider body of Christ.

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Monica and Danny discuss ways parents of teenagers can either build bridges of communication or break down bridges of communication with their teenagers. They discuss ways that parents can both connect and nurture ways of communicating with their teenagers, which can help with their mental and spiritual well-being, versus causing more stressors in their lives. https://youtu.be/7KHhAh4i6nc

In this episode of the Sola Network Leaders Podcast, Aaron Chung (Exilic Church, NYC) sits down with pastors Drew Hyun (Hope Church, NYC) and Dave Park (Mosaic Christian Fellowship, Northvale, NJ) to talk honestly about money, discipleship, and the heart – especially in high-cost, finance-driven cities like New York.They share their family-of-origin stories around money – bankruptcy, scarcity mentality, parents who modeled radical generosity – and explore why money is so often taboo in the church, even though Scripture talks about it constantly. From first principles in Genesis, to the idol of saving, to generosity as spiritual formation, they wrestle with questions like:How do we tell the difference between wise stewardship and hoarding?Is there such a thing as foolish generosity?What does faithful risk look like in investing?How can Christians in finance-heavy contexts use their gifts to advance God’s kingdom?Dave also shares about Korah Funds and the need for sustainable financial structures that support long-term ministry in expensive cities, and the episode closes with a strong reminder from Ecclesiastes: money will not love you back – but generosity can lead to deep joy.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Money and Ministry01:07 Personal Histories with Money03:39 Generosity in the Church06:54 Discipleship and Money Management09:19 Biblical Principles of Wealth10:00 Balancing Saving and Generosity12:58 The Impact of Frugality on Relationships16:03 Faithful Generosity vs. Foolish Generosity17:51 Radical Generosity and Character19:48 Kingdom Consciousness in Financial Decisions20:52 Faith, Risk, and Investment23:19 The Intersection of Ministry and Money26:45 Stewardship and Generosity29:16 The True Nature of Money and Happiness

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Monica and Danny talk about the support parents need in raising their teenagers and children, as well as the concept of rest and renewal. They discuss the harmfulness of parents venting to their children. They also discuss the differences in the views of the concept of support, rest, and renewal in our immigrant parents versus subsequent generations of parents. Moreover, they describe ways parents can seek out support, as well as rhythms of rest and renewal, to continue in their parenting journey.

In this heartfelt episode, Kristen Whitmore and Wilson Wang sit down with ministry leaders Jamie Lam and JJ Raymond to explore how ethnic identity, faith, and adoption intersect in the lives of Asian American Christians. Together, they share deeply personal stories—from JJ’s experience as a transracial adoptee to Jamie’s journey as a single foster and adoptive mom—and reflect on how God redeems identity, family, and culture for His glory. This conversation invites listeners to see identity not as something to suppress or escape, but as a story God intentionally writes through our families, ethnic backgrounds, and faith communities.00:00 Introduction to Ethnic Identity and Ministry05:03 The Journey of Transracial Adoptees09:46 Navigating Cultural Identity in College14:59 Family Dynamics in Multiracial Contexts19:50 Challenges of Adoption and Ethnic Identity24:51 The Role of Faith in Shaping Identity30:08 Observations on the Next Generation35:09 Conclusion and Reflections on Community

Aaron Lee speaks with theologian and professor Adamson Co on his new book Providence in the Story of Scripture. The discussion centers on why God’s providence is practical, relational, and meant to draw us into partnership with Him. Adam shares his own story of discovering providence, his “Tomorrowland” illustration, the “eighth day of creation,” and how providence speaks uniquely to the Asian American experience.https://sola.network/article/providence-in-the-story-of-scripture-an-interview-with-adamson-co/Adamson Co (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of theology at California Baptist University in Riverside, California. Prior to academia, he practiced law for several years as an attorney. He has also served as a pastor in the Chicago area and Southern California, including as English congregation pastor at Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles.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.

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Monica and Danny discuss the realities of drama and friendships in the lives of teenagers, and for parents to not minimize it, because it is so important to teenagers, yet they are not fully mature enough to deal with it.  They continue to talk about how parents can guide their teenagers through drama with their peers and how to guide their teenagers into godly gospel-centered relationships with their peers. https://youtu.be/Az3L9nqwk6c

In this episode of the Sola Network Leaders podcast, Dave Park, Aaron Chung, and Drew Hyun discuss the complex topic of ambition, particularly within the context of Christian ministry and the Asian American experience. They explore the dual nature of ambition, both godly and selfish, and how cultural backgrounds influence perceptions of ambition. The conversation delves into the importance of balancing ambition with humility and the role of risk-taking in leadership. The hosts share personal stories and insights on how ambition can be harnessed for positive impact in their communities and beyond.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ambition03:00 Cultural Influences on Ambition06:00 Balancing Ambition and Humility09:00 Risk-Taking in Leadership12:00 Ambition Aligned with Eternal Values15:00 Empowering the Next Generation18:00 Unity and Collaboration in Leadership21:00 Ambition for Community Impacthttps://youtu.be/Pi8D27E4fBg

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny welcomes back Pastor Justin Wong, an expert on youth culture,  to talk about youth culture.  They discuss if parents need to fear youth culture or how they can embrace it, to engage in the lives of their teenagers and children.  They also talk about the world of emojis and how elements of the unknown aspects of youth culture can be used to deepen our relationship with our teenagers.  Finally, they discuss the healthy partnership between parents and the youth ministry.Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this episode of the SOLA Leaders' podcast, host Will Chang engages with Faith Chang, an author and leader in the church community. They discuss Faith's background in Chinese immigrant churches, her journey in leadership, and the cultural context that shapes perceptions of leadership roles. Faith shares her experiences with chronic illness and how it has influenced her understanding of suffering and empathy in leadership. The conversation also touches on generational differences in leadership perspectives among Asian Americans and the importance of community support. Faith's upcoming book aims to explore living a cruciform life in service to others, emphasizing the need for humility and openness in leadership.00:00 Introduction to Faith Chang02:50 Faith's Leadership Journey10:39 Cultural Context of Leadership22:09 Generational Perspectives on Leadership44:28 Suffering and Leadership01:04:12 Looking Ahead: Projects and Prayer Requests

In this conversation, Paul S. Kim discusses his new Bible study on the book of Daniel, sharing insights from his personal experiences as an Asian American and how they inform his understanding of the text. He emphasizes the importance of community, resilience, and cultural engagement for modern believers, while also reflecting on the significance of prayer and faithful obedience in the life of Daniel. The discussion highlights the relevance of Daniel’s story in today’s context and encourages listeners to explore their own faith journeys.00:00 Introduction to Paul S. Kim and His Work03:18 The Journey of Writing a Bible Study on Daniel05:46 Personal Insights as an Asian American09:08 Application of Daniel's Lessons for Asian Americans14:05 Engaging and Disengaging with Culture16:23 Favorite Stories from Daniel and Their Impact19:04 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsAaron 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.Paul S. Kim, MDiv, DMin (current), is the Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in San Diego, a multiethnic and intergenerational church that started as a church plant, merged with another church, and now actively engages in church planting and discipleship movements around the world. He is the author of Daniel: Firm in Adversity. Paul is married to Linda, and they have three children.

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny and Monica discuss the idea of the Sandwich Generation as Asian Americans, and how it particularly impacts us. They discuss the dual forces of feeling obligated to taking care of one’s older parents, while also taking care of one’s own children and teenagers, and the impact that can have. They discuss hopeful ways that Asian American parents can navigate being the Sandwich Generation, as well as how they can seek their church and other community to support them. Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this conversation, Danny Kwan and Monica Kim discuss their book 'Teenagers and Mental Health,' focusing on the mental health challenges faced by teenagers and the role of parents, pastors, and youth leaders in addressing these issues. They share their personal experiences, cultural context, and the importance of compassion and understanding in youth ministry. They also emphasize the need for collaboration between caregivers and the church to support teenagers effectively.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in Teenagers03:18 The Journey to Writing the Book06:39 Personal Experiences and Cultural Context10:42 Advocating for Mental Health as Asian Americans15:38 Understanding Specific Mental Health Struggles20:34 The Role of Caregivers in Mental Health25:53 Advice for Youth Workers29:54 Collaboration in Creative ProjectsDanny Kwon, Ph.D., serves as the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives for Rooted Ministry. Before joining Rooted, Danny Kwon served as Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church, a bicultural, bilingual Korean-American congregation outside Philadelphia for 29 years. He is married to Monica, a Christian counselor and psychologist, and they have three children.Monica Kim, Ph.D., is a Christian counselor, has taught counseling courses as an associate faculty at CCEF and a lecturer at WTS, and has been a seminar speaker at numerous conferences including the CCEF National Conferences. She has worked in church ministry for more than 25 years and is currently a part of the pastoral staff at her local church.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: https://www.diveindigdeep.com/

In this conversation, Steve Chang interviews Enoch Liao, the English congregation pastor of Boston Chinese Evangelical Church and cofounder of the Chinese Heritage Church Collaborative. They discuss Enoch's background, networking among Chinese heritage churches, calling in ministry, and cultural identity within the church. Enoch shares insights on the challenges and opportunities faced by Chinese heritage churches and emphasizes the need for connection and support among pastors. The conversation concludes with reflections on longevity in ministry and encouragement for younger leaders.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Enoch Liao and His Background02:30 The Chinese Heritage Church Collaborative: Origins and Purpose05:45 Building Connections Among Chinese Heritage Churches07:44 The Importance of Networking in Ministry10:35 Understanding the Concept of Chinese Heritage Church13:53 The Future of Chinese Heritage Churches and Their Identity21:53 Understanding Chinese Heritage Churches24:36 The Shift in Multi-Ethnic Ministry25:39 Commitment to Local Church: A Calling30:44 Navigating Leadership Challenges37:31 The Importance of Relationships in Ministry

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny and Monica discuss the difficult and often neglected topic of generational trauma, passed on from our immigrant parents to our now 2nd and 3rd generation parents, as well as how it impacts our present families and parenting of our teenagers and children. They discuss the need yet difficulty to recognize it and its consequences. Finally, they discuss finding gospel hope as parents (and adults) in the midst of generational trauma. Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.