This lecture by Dr. Sam George was recorded on June 6, 2025, at Seven Mile Road Church in Philadelphia, PA, at the conference "Our Story, Our Faith: South Asian American Christian Histories and Futures" (June 6–7, 2025). You can learn more about this conference here: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/philly25/.

Plenary description: This presentation will provide a brief survey of the earliest arrival of Christians and the development of various languages and denominational churches established across the United States. It will include the current state of Indian American Christianity and many opportunities and challenges facing this thriving immigrant community using the lens of diaspora and World Christianity. It is based on a recent research project of the Global Diaspora Institute at Wheaton College, Billy Graham Center, and funded by the Louisville Institute.

Dr. Sam George serves as a catalyst of the Lausanne Movement and travels widely to teach and minister in diverse contexts. He holds degrees in Engineering, Management, and Theology. He studies at Fuller and Princeton Seminaries in the US and completed his doctoral research at Liverpool Hope University, UK. He has authored or edited 15 books including three-volume series on Asian Diaspora Christianity (Fortress Press 2021) and recent books titled Sharing Jesus with Hindus (William Carey) and Asians in Diaspora and Diasporas in Asia (Langham).

Photo by Lara Jameson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/compass-placed-on-a-world-map-8828681/

This lecture by Dr. Jaisy Joseph was recorded on June 6, 2025, at Seven Mile Road Church in Philadelphia, PA, at the conference "Our Story, Our Faith: South Asian American Christian Histories and Futures" (June 6–7, 2025). You can learn more about this conference here: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/philly25/.

Plenary description: Prominent historian Placid J. Podipara, CMI is often credited with the most succinct description of the identity of Thomas Christians as Christian in religion, Oriental in worship, and Indian in culture. Countering post-independence claims that Christianity was simply a tool of Western colonialism, Podipara emphasized that this ancient Christian community was not a product of Westernization, but rather as old as Christianity itself and as indigenous to the Indian soil as other religions in Kerala. My talk explores this narrative of origins and what it means for those in the diaspora who are rediscovering their ancient roots today.

Jaisy A. Joseph is an Assistant Professor of Ecclesiology and Theology of Ministry at Villanova University. She received her PhD in Systematic Theology from Boston College in 2019. Aside from the academy, she is very involved in the lay ministry of the SyroMalabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago. Her primary concern is to work with the emerging second generation of this immigrant community, particularly regarding issues of identity, domestic violence, and intergenerational healing.

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In this episode of the Dialogues Podcast, David Chao speaks with Dr. Jessica ChenFeng (Fuller Seminary) and Dr. Joel Jin (University of Washington School of Medicine) about the special issue of the Journal of Psychology and Theology dedicated to Asian American contexts. The conversation explores the challenges and contributions of psychology and theology in relation to Asian American communities, as well as the importance of integrating cultural, spiritual, and mental health perspectives into professional practice. The guests also reflect on how these experiences offer insights for building a more inclusive theology and a more contextualized psychology.

We are pleased to announce a limited-time offer to this Special Issue on Psychology and Theology within Asian American Contexts guest edited by Joel Jin and Jessica ChenFeng featured in this podcast. For free access from now until September 3, 2025, click here to explore more!

In this episode of the Dialogues Podcast, David Chao interviews Father Joseph Cheah, OSM, PhD, about his timely 2022 book "Anti-Asian Racism: Myths, Stereotypes, and Catholic Social Teaching" published by Orbis Books. Father Joseph Cheah is Professor of Religious Studies and Theology and Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut.

The only Catholic scholarly work addressing anti-Asian racism, Father Joe's book critiques two 2018 documents published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops—one a pastoral letter on racism, the other a pastoral response to AAPI Catholics—which he argues did not sufficiently discuss AAPI experiences of racism. It also examines historical patterns of anti-Asian racism and proposes a theological framework for addressing racism based on tenets of Catholic social teaching.

Resources

Cheah, Joseph. 2022. Anti-Asian Racism. Orbis Books.

Bransfield, J. Brian. 2018. Review of Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – a Pastoral Letter against Racism. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. https://www.usccb.org/resources/open-wide-our-hearts_0.pdf.

Bransfield, J. Brian. 2018. Review of Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. https://www.usccb.org/resources/Encountering%20Christ%20in%20Harmony%20A%20Pastoral%20Response%20to%20Our%20Asian%20and%20Pacific%20Island%20Brothers%20and%20Sisters_0.pdf.

‌Jeung, Russell. 2022. Stop AAPI Hate and Racial Trauma. In 2022 Mental Health and Asian Americans Conference.

‌Jeung, Russell. 2019. An Asian American Exilic Call to Politics. In 2019 Asian American Theology Conference.

Transformative Hope by Russell Jeung and Tammy Ho https://aparri.org/transformative-hope/

Noel Quintana:

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From the 2025 Asian American Mental Health Conference "Navigating Transitions with Faith and Resilience: Asian American Mental Health Across Life Stages." This workshop presentation is by Pastor Peter Lim, titled "Asian American Spiritual Formation: A Journey of Integration," recorded January 18, 2025. Find out more about the conference here: https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/2025-mental-health-conference/.

Description: Exploring the intersections of faith, culture, and emotional well-being through spiritual practices contextualized for Asian American communities.

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This recording is from the hybrid conference: "Healing Heritage: Stories of Faith, Selflessness, and Service of Filipino Nurses."

Recorded on April 11, 2025.

Find out more about the conference here: https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/caac-events/healing-heritage/

In this guest episode of the podcast produced by CAAC partner Healing Heritage, principal investigator of Healing Heritage Dr. April Manalang delves into the profound experiences of Filipino nurses who served on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring firsthand accounts, the episode highlights their immense sacrifices, the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on Filipino healthcare workers, and the resilience they displayed despite facing structural and cultural violence, including anti-Asian discrimination.

Through intimate interviews, several nurses share their struggles, fears, and unwavering faith that helped them navigate the crisis. They reflect on the emotional toll, the feeling of invisibility despite their essential contributions, and the deep-rooted strength within the Filipino American nursing community. The episode also explores the critical role of faith, cultural identity, and advocacy in overcoming adversity.

Join us for a moving and eye-opening discussion that honors the lives, sacrifices, and heroism of Filipino nurses—unsung warriors in the fight against the pandemic and social injustice.

This podcast episode is produced by Healing Heritage in collaboration with the Religion, Race, and Democracy Lab at the University of Virginia.

Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash

From the 2025 Asian American Mental Health Conference "Navigating Transitions with Faith and Resilience: Asian American Mental Health Across Life Stages." This workshop presentation is by Dr. Christina Kim, titled "Bridging the Gap: Spiritual Growth in Times of Conflict and Transition," recorded January 18, 2025. Find out more about the conference here: https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/2025-mental-health-conference/.

Abstract:

This interactive workshop explores how Asian American Christians can navigate seasons of transition, conflict, and loss with faith and relational wholeness. Drawing from personal experiences, attachment theory, and spiritual formation, we will reflect on the default patterns we bring to these spaces, the factors that shaped them, and how God might be inviting us to steward these moments for growth. Through guided questions and discussion, participants will gain tools to deepen their spiritual and relational journeys in times of uncertainty.

From the 2025 Asian American Mental Health Conference "Navigating Transitions with Faith and Resilience: Asian American Mental Health Across Life Stages." This workshop presentation is by Dr. Sonia Prasadam, titled "Being Imperfect Parents: Transforming Parental Anxiety and Shame to Nurture Secure Children," recorded January 18, 2025. Find out more about the conference here: https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/2025-mental-health-conference/.

Abstract:

This workshop aims to help parents discover the strength that lies in their imperfections. It will map out how parents can model working through their failures to their children. This would address their feelings of anxiety and shame while helping their children feel less shame and anxiety across different areas of life. Together, we’ll cultivate a home environment where both parents and children feel supported in embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth and connection.

Photo by The Wedding Fog

In this episode of the Dialogues Podcast, David Chao interviews Tommy Dyo, a leader in Asian American ministry with Epic, to discuss intergenerational trauma, family history, and faith.

Tommy shares his personal journey of uncovering his Japanese American heritage, including his family's incarceration during World War II, his grandfather’s experiences as a U.S. veteran, and the lasting impact of these historical injustices. He reflects on how growing up in a multicultural environment shaped his identity and how understanding his family's past transformed his approach to ministry.

Photo by Bob Chambers on Unsplash