SOLA Network

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.

In this conversation, Joel Kim, the president of Westminster Seminary California, shares his journey from a Korean immigrant family to his current leadership role. He discusses the unique challenges and responsibilities of being a seminary president, the cultural differences in leadership, and the future of the Korean American church. Joel emphasizes the importance of resilience in ministry, the impact of generational differences, and the need for prayer and support for the seminary. He also reflects on personal experiences that have shaped his leadership style and offers insights for younger leaders in the church.00:00 Introduction to Joel Kim’s Journey04:10 Leadership Experience at Westminster Seminary10:00 The Stress of Ministry: Seminary vs. Local Church12:33 Cultural Dynamics in Leadership17:07 Embracing Identity as a Korean American Leader24:16 The Future of the Korean American Church27:54 The Broader Impact of Asian American Voices29:31 Generational Differences in Korean American Pastors33:30 Encouragement for Second-Generation Leaders38:17 Personal Insights and Reflections45:02 Prayer Requests for Westminster SeminaryFollow @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates and subscribe to SOLA Leaders’ Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In the following interview, Dr. Yohan Lee (Biola University) weighs in on a small sampling of questions about AI’s applications and its impact on our current moment. This conversation isn’t meant to be exhaustive, nor is it meant to be the be-all end-all for the questions discussed. We hope it’s a conversation starter that can lead to more discussion and thought processing about our ever changing modern age, and spark ideas about how Christians can interact with our current moment in order to share the gospel with all.0:00 Intro & Background1:32 Dr. Lee’s Faith Background2:50 What is Artificial Intelligence (Explain to me like I’m five years old)3:24 A discussion about AI Ethics7:14 Some Positive Applications of AI12:36 Help! AI Took My Job 18:04 AI and Higher Education21:47 Technology & The Church

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny and Monica sit down and talk about dating in Asian American faith, culture, and the lives of teenagers.  They consider the views of dating growing up as Asian Americans and how it has changed.  They then discuss a parent’s approach to dating and how it relates to racial issues, faith, and how and when as parents, we can talk about dating with our teenagers.  Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this conversation, Justin Kim shares his journey through various church contexts, highlighting his experiences in Korean immigrant churches, multi-ethnic congregations, and his current role at Wintersburg Church. He reflects on the beauty and challenges of each setting, emphasizing the importance of community, encouragement, and the development of a pastoral heart. Justin also addresses the discomfort younger leaders may feel in unfamiliar ministry situations, encouraging them to embrace their calling with honesty and openness to God's guidance.Chapters00:00 Journey Through Ministry: A Personal Introduction03:21 Transitioning Across Cultures: From Korean to Japanese Heritage06:15 Reflections on the Korean Immigrant Church09:04 Experiences in a Majority Culture Church12:25 The Beauty of Wintersburg: A Historic Japanese Church20:19 Shepherding Across Generations: A Pastoral Heart27:17 Encouragement for Young Leaders: Embracing DiscomfortFollow @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates and subscribe to SOLA Leaders’ Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny is joined by longtime youth pastor Justin Wong, who has served students and families for the past 25 years within the Asian American church community and most recently completed his second doctorate degree researching Gen Z students and the Asian American Church. They discuss aspects of the hit show Kpop Demon Hunters and how parents can engage with their own children and teenagers about it, as well as social media in general and its influence on teenagers and children.Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.

"What is one key thing parents should understand about the mental health struggles of today’s teenagers?" (Question #2)00:00 Terrence Shay - Social Media & the Pressure to Measure Up 00:56 Monica Kim - Why Teen Mental Health Is Getting Worse 03:10 James Han - Mental Health Is Real—Don’t Ignore the SignsAnswers about Teens from Ministry Leaders was filmed during the SOLA Network x Rooted Ministry Asian American Youth Worker Training Day on March 15, 2025. It was filmed by by Alex Park (CTS America) and hosted by James S. Lee (SOLA Network). The project was co-produced by SOLA Network and CTS America. The Answers about Teens from Ministry Leaders series features:- Clark Fobes is the Associate Pastor at FirstSF in his hometown of San Francisco. He has served in Asian American youth ministry for over a decade.- James Han is the Founding Senior Pastor of Redeemer Church in Torrance, CA. He also serves on the school board of the Torrance Unified School District.- James Song Kim serves as the Youth Director of Education at All Nations Church in Sunland, CA. He has nearly twenty years of experience serving youth in several prominent Korean immigrant churches in the U.S.- Monica Kim is a psychologist and Director of Care & Counseling at Hope Montco Church. She has taught at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and served as a lecturer at Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS). She is currently adjunct faculty at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Monica is the co-author, along with her husband Danny, of *Mental Health and Teenagers: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders*.- Danny Kwon serves as the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross-Cultural Initiatives for Rooted Ministry. Prior to joining Rooted, he served for 29 years as the Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church, a bicultural, bilingual Korean American congregation outside Philadelphia. He has authored several books, including *A Youth Worker’s Field Guide to Parents* and *Mission Tripping: A Comprehensive Guide to Youth Ministry Short Term Missions*. He is also an adjunct professor of Youth Ministry at Eastern University.- Charlie Kang serves as the English Pastor at Good Stewards Church (West Covina, CA). He previously served nearly a decade as a youth pastor at Good Stewards Church and Oriental Mission Church (Los Angeles, CA).- Gower Lee is the Counseling Director at New Life Presbyterian Church of Orange County, where she has been on staff since 2018. She previously served in youth ministry and currently teaches as an online instructor for CCEF’s School of Biblical Counseling.- Ervin Liang is the Pastor of Student Ministries at Living Hope Community Church in Brea, CA. He previously served youth and college students at Mountain View Community Church in Frederick, MD.- Terrence Shay is the Family Pastor at First Chinese Baptist Church, Walnut, located in Los Angeles County—home to the largest Asian population in the U.S. Having grown up in the immigrant church, he is passionate about its role in fulfilling Jesus’ call to make disciples across all cultures and generations.- Kevin Yi is affiliated with Rooted Ministry and SOLA Network. Most recently, he served as the college and young adults pastor at Church Everyday in Northridge, CA, and has ministered to youth for over 16 years.CTS Americahttps://youtube.com/@ctsamerica4353?si=kayK1BxpRfDHprOxhttps://www.facebook.com/cts.america.1/https://www.instagram.com/cts.america?igsh=MTB2a3hxOXlhMXQ4MQ==

SummaryIn this episode of the Sola Networks Leaders Podcast, Linda Kim shares her journey through ministry, burnout, and the importance of emotional health. She discusses her experiences growing up in a Korean-American household, the impact of unresolved grief from her father's passing, and how these experiences shaped her into a gospel coach. Linda emphasizes the significance of processing grief, the differences between counseling and coaching, and the unique challenges faced by Asian Americans in ministry. She offers insights for the younger generation and reflects on her vision for the future of gospel coaching, particularly for women in leadership.TakeawaysLinda Kim shares her journey in ministry and personal growth.Burnout in ministry can stem from unresolved grief and emotional neglect.Counseling helped Linda process her emotions and grief effectively.Gospel coaching focuses on present challenges and future growth.Asian Americans often face unique pressures in ministry and life.The importance of naming emotions and processing grief is crucial.Linda emphasizes the need for women in ministry to be supported.Coaching is about asking good questions and facilitating growth.The stigma around counseling can be alleviated through coaching.Linda's vision includes raising up diverse gospel coaches for the future.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Linda Kim and Her Journey03:05 Navigating Burnout and Grief in Ministry11:50 Understanding Gospel Coaching vs. Counseling19:05 Unique Challenges in Coaching Asian Americans26:02 Advice for the Younger Generation29:11 Balancing Coaching and Parenting33:36 Vision for the Future of Gospel CoachingFollow @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates and subscribe to SOLA Leaders’ Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Monica and Danny talk about race, ethnicity, and culture, and its impact on Asian American teenagers. Our teenagers live in a diverse set of contexts. 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. ResourcesNurturing a Youth Ministry Culture that Fosters Intergenerational Ministry with Danny Kwonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSZN3QCD_NU&ab_channel=RootedMinistryThe Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Editionhttps://newgrowthpress.com/new-releases/upcoming-books/the-jesus-i-wish-i-knew-in-high-school-asian-american-edition/Get more info and register for the Rooted 2025 Conference (10/23-25) in Dorothy’s home city! https://rootedministry.com/conference/ Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.

"What is one thing you wish parents understood about teenagers today?" (Question 1)00:00 Gower Lee – Don’t Just Parent, Pursue Your Teen’s Heart 02:12 Kevin Yi – Church Is More Than Sunday: What Kids Really Need 05:01 Monica Kim – Connection Before Correction: Understanding Teen EmotionsAnswers about Teens from Ministry Leaders was filmed during the SOLA Network x Rooted Ministry Asian American Youth Worker Training Day on March 15, 2025. It was filmed by by Alex Park (CTS America) and hosted by James S. Lee (SOLA Network). The project was co-produced by SOLA Network and CTS America. The Answers about Teens from Ministry Leaders series features:- Clark Fobes is the Associate Pastor at FirstSF in his hometown of San Francisco. He has served in Asian American youth ministry for over a decade.- James Han is the Founding Senior Pastor of Redeemer Church in Torrance, CA. He also serves on the school board of the Torrance Unified School District.- James Song Kim serves as the Youth Director of Education at All Nations Church in Sunland, CA. He has nearly twenty years of experience serving youth in several prominent Korean immigrant churches in the U.S.- Monica Kim is a psychologist and Director of Care & Counseling at Hope Montco Church. She has taught at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and served as a lecturer at Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS). She is currently adjunct faculty at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Monica is the co-author, along with her husband Danny, of *Mental Health and Teenagers: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders*.- Danny Kwon serves as the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross-Cultural Initiatives for Rooted Ministry. Prior to joining Rooted, he served for 29 years as the Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church, a bicultural, bilingual Korean American congregation outside Philadelphia. He has authored several books, including *A Youth Worker’s Field Guide to Parents* and *Mission Tripping: A Comprehensive Guide to Youth Ministry Short Term Missions*. He is also an adjunct professor of Youth Ministry at Eastern University.- Charlie Kang serves as the English Pastor at Good Stewards Church (West Covina, CA). He previously served nearly a decade as a youth pastor at Good Stewards Church and Oriental Mission Church (Los Angeles, CA).- Gower Lee is the Counseling Director at New Life Presbyterian Church of Orange County, where she has been on staff since 2018. She previously served in youth ministry and currently teaches as an online instructor for CCEF’s School of Biblical Counseling.- Ervin Liang is the Pastor of Student Ministries at Living Hope Community Church in Brea, CA. He previously served youth and college students at Mountain View Community Church in Frederick, MD.- Terrence Shay is the Family Pastor at First Chinese Baptist Church, Walnut, located in Los Angeles County—home to the largest Asian population in the U.S. Having grown up in the immigrant church, he is passionate about its role in fulfilling Jesus’ call to make disciples across all cultures and generations.- Kevin Yi is affiliated with Rooted Ministry and SOLA Network. Most recently, he served as the college and young adults pastor at Church Everyday in Northridge, CA, and has ministered to youth for over 16 years.CTS Americahttps://youtube.com/@ctsamerica4353?si=kayK1BxpRfDHprOxhttps://www.facebook.com/cts.america.1/https://www.instagram.com/cts.america?igsh=MTB2a3hxOXlhMXQ4MQ==

In this episode of the SOLA Network Leaders’ Podcast, host Steve Chang interviews Aaron Chung, founding lead pastor of Exilic Church in New York City. They discuss Aaron’s personal journey, the unique challenges and opportunities of ministry in New York, and the influence of Tim Keller on their approach to church planting. The conversation also touches on the resurgence of spirituality among Gen Z, the importance of nuance in ministry, and cultural dynamics affecting the Asian American community.Topics:Aaron Chung shares his immigrant background and journey to ministry.Exilic Church was born out of a desire for honest conversations about faith.New York’s cultural cynicism shapes the church’s approach to ministry.There is a resurgence of spirituality among Gen Z in New York.Nuance is essential in addressing complex cultural issues.Tim Keller’s influence is felt deeply in New York’s ministry landscape.Community and gratitude are vital for church growth and health.Cultural context matters significantly in church planting and outreach.The church must articulate the gospel in a way that resonates with the culture.Understanding one’s own truth is crucial for personal and communal growth.Timestamps:00:00 Aaron’s Journey and the Birth of Exilic Church07:34 Contextualizing Faith in New York City12:26 Cultural Trends and Spiritual Resurgence17:15 Nuanced Conversations in a Complex World25:46 Tim Keller’s Influence and Legacy32:33 Reflections on Community and Gratitude36:27 New ChapterFollow @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates and subscribe to SOLA Leaders’ Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUvZxqL7ttA

In this episode of Asian American Parenting, Danny and Monica discuss practical ways parents can disciple their own teenagers.  They begin discussing the idea of difficulties in discipling teenagers, and then go into some tangible ways parents can disciple their teenagers in their everyday lives.  Finally, they discuss the idea of how parents and churches/youth ministries can work together to walk alongside each other to disciple teenagers. Follow @therootedministry and @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates! Follow and subscribe to Asian American Parenting wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this episode, Will Chang welcomes Jonathan Holmes, Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling and Interim Executive Director of CCEF (Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation). They discuss Jonathan’s personal story of adoption, his journey into counseling, the challenges and nuances of mental health in Asian American communities, and the importance of gospel-centered identity formation—especially for the next generation.Topics Covered:*Jonathan's background: adopted from South Korea, raised in the Deep South, and currently based in Northeast Ohio.*His dual leadership roles at Fieldstone Counseling and CCEF.*How his experiences led him to a counseling vocation over a career in history.*The need for counseling among Asian American communities and within the church.*The generational dynamics around identity and mental health.*His latest book Grounded in Grace and its message for parents navigating a digital and anxious world.*The shift from traditional identity formation to modern, self-determined identity—and the gospel alternative.*The role of Fieldstone and CCEF in supplementing (not replacing) the local church in care and counseling.*The vision for CCEF in this transitional season and how listeners can be praying.Resources Mentioned:Fieldstone Counseling: https://fieldstonecounseling.org/Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation: https://www.ccef.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21851127496&gbraid=0AAAAAqv8dXz8K8rlLrrUw1876OJQxr5o6&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkILEBhDeARIsAL--pjwktpCXqs2ehnu4QqaOYkTI9h5JtaK_aPrAaLNkMkGVSJTbq1aNeFoaAg7tEALw_wcBGrounded in Grace by Jonathan Holmes: https://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Grace-Helping-Identity-Christ/dp/1645074641Follow @thesolanetwork on Instagram for more updates and subscribe to SOLA Leaders' Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!