In 52 A.D., the Apostle Thomas came to India to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. This led to the formation of Christian churches throughout several Indian states. Immigrants founded those churches in America, leading to the creation of Mar Thoma churches and other Indian Christian churches throughout the United States. 

As the children of Indian immigrants grew up, the second-generation Indian American church and multiethnic churches began to percolate. Pastor Thomas is one of those second-generation Indian American church planters. In a conversation with SOLA Network’s Steve Chang, he talks about the history of Christianity in India, the Indian American church, and the power of the Indian diaspora. He also talks about the Advance Initiative, of which he is a co-founder, whose mission is to catalyze a global movement of gospel-centered multiethnic churches planted by or among Indians.

Watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/xfyS5zL69Pk

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Link coming soon.

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In this short video clip, Pastor Steve Chang speaks with Ajay Thomas about why we need an Indian American church. Their full interview is coming soon! Subscribe to our channel so you never miss out: https://www.youtube.com/c/solanetwork

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https://youtu.be/uJ3QIt_Rqgs

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What do you think of when you see the phrase “Asian American?” Do we think mostly about the children of East Asian immigrants? What about the children of immigrants from Indonesia? The Philippines? India?

In this wide-ranging conversation, Pastor Steve Chang of the SOLA Network discusses the idea of Asian American-ness with Sam George, the catalyst for diasporas for India for the Lausanne movement. George has lived, studied, and taught all over the world, and his knowledge and experiences with interacting with Christians all over the world give us a powerful perspective on the unity provided by the Gospel and our Asian heritage.

He also shared about the unique history and culture of Indian Christians, with fascinating insights for all Christians to learn about. We hope you enjoy their conversation and see the Gospel in a new, powerful, global way.

Read the article:

https://sola.network/article/journeys-of-the-asian-diaspora-and-indian-christians/

Watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ynydG4KCDAM

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In this short video clip, Pastor Steve Chang speaks with Sam George about understanding the Indian community in America. Their full interview is coming soon! Subscribe to our channel so you never miss out: https://www.youtube.com/c/solanetwork

Watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/5OBwPuSl_SA

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As we gather to remember and give thanks for the blessings around us, let us not forget to be grateful for our pastors who shepherd our churches. Listen or read "How We Can Bless Our Pastors for Pastors Appreciation Month" by Alice Kim (Emmausccs.com), and we hope you will reach out to and pray for your pastors today.

"There are many thoughtful and creative ways to encourage our pastors. May we consider blessing them so that they could fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7) with steadfastness, faithfulness, and joy."

Read the article:

https://sola.network/article/how-we-can-bless-our-pastors-appreciation-month/

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Alice Kim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Emmaus Counseling and Consulting Services (emmausccs.com) where she offers gospel-centered therapy to the DC Metro area. She finds deep fulfillment in engaging people’s stories and bearing witness to the good work of God to redeem and restore. She is married to Sam Kim, pastor at Christ Central Presbyterian Church in Centreville, VA and they raise their two high-school-age daughters and goldendoodle. Her past times include treasure hunting at thrift stores and catching up with friends over a cup of coffee.

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Website: https://sola.network

There are many books and resources written directly for people who struggle with pornography. But what about books written for pastors, counselors, friends, and family members who are helping people who are addicted? 

To this end, pastors and biblical counselors Deepak Reju and Jonathan Holmes have written two books—Rescue Plan: Charting a Course to Restore Prisoners of Pornography and Rescue Skills: Essential Skills for Restoring the Sexually Broken:— to help equip people who want to walk with those who battle sexual sin. The books are available beginning November 10 on paperback and Kindle. 

The first is Rescue Plan: “Rescue Plan teaches you theory—explaining the nature of pornography addiction and what it looks like when it shows up in different stages of a person’s life,” the authors write. In other words, it offers a framework to think about the struggles of pornography.  

The second is Rescue Skills. “Rescue Skills is how to interact with a believer who struggles with pornography,” the write. It teaches strategies to guide someone toward recovery, such as how to listen well, ask the right questions, and understand guilt and shame. 

The authors encourage people to read both books as they complement each other. As the books say, “Rescue Plan is about what, when, and why; Rescue Skills is about how.” 

To explain their ministry, Deepak Reju and Jonathan Holmes joined Tim St. John, counseling pastor and SOLA editorial board member, to talk about the importance of addressing this problem. They also talk about how pastors should preach a beautiful vision of sexuality, the importance of discipleship, and the need for helpers to come alongside those who are addicted to sexual sin. 

Watch their encouraging conversation here. Editor’s Note: Please note that there are automated captions embedded in the video, and they may contain errors.

Read the transcript on our website:

https://sola.network/article/how-to-help-someone-who-struggles-with-pornography-interview/

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Why is there a Chinese museum in the middle of Mississippi?

That’s the question Baldwin Chiu and Larissa Lam asked when they visited his grandfather’s home in Mississippi—yes, Mississippi. It turns out there was a whole community of Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans who made their home in the American South.

The history they uncovered during their journeys turned into Far East Deep South, an award-winning documentary feature film that followed the Chiu family as they uncovered their lost family history. The film, directed by Larissa, interviews local residents, historians, and of course, Baldwin’s own family. It also shows the racially complex history of the early Chinese in the segregated South, including the effects of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

In this interview with SOLA video manager Jason Chao, Baldwin and Larissa share how they discovered this amazing story, and how it has helped them to redefine what “American” and “American Christianity” means. They also challenge Asian Americans to ask questions of previous generations to learn their stories.

Our “Artists in Motion” series hopes to platform Asian American Christian artists, as well as encourage all artists to root their identities in Christ and use their callings to share art and truth with the world.

Watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/IUi7-BR19mk

Read the transcript on our website:

https://sola.network/article/chinese-american-christians-from-the-deep-south-interview/

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Baldwin Chiu grew up influenced by hip-hop, eventually becoming the first Chinese American hip hop rapper. But when church leadership invited him to bring the sound to his immigrant church’s picnic, he didn’t get a standing ovation. 

“I remember some of the older Chinese ladies like going up to my dad, and my dad was like, ‘What are you doing?” I had a little scolding when I got home: ‘What are you doing!? You know, there's like, Christian Chinese old ladies!”

But through his faith in God’s calling, support from other hip hop artists, and even encouragement from his local church, Baldwin became the rapper Only Won, releasing several EPs and LPs throughout his career. Oh, and he’s also a professionally licensed mechanical engineer, actor, and producer. 

In this interview with SOLA video manager Jason Chao, Baldwin shares his testimony, as well his thoughts on how Christian artists can grow and thrive, especially through pushing past comfort zones. He also challenges churches to think beyond what is “traditional” and remember that our God is a God who is the creative creator. 

Our “Artists in Motion” series hopes to platform Asian American Christian artists, as well as encourage all artists to root their identities in Christ and use their callings to share art and truth with the world.

Watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/J3jvotCZ4II

Read the transcript on our website:

https://sola.network/article/singing-and-rapping-a-new-song-interview/

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“Nothing is certain.” These are not the words you want to hear from a hospital chaplain after you tell him about your dream of being an actor. 

But these words were far from discouraging for Derek Ting. He saw it as an opportunity to follow God’s calling in faith. If nothing is certain, then failure is not certain either! Derek overcame many obstacles as an Asian American in the film industry to become an actor, writer, producer, and director—with his latest film being released on Amazon Prime Video.

In this interview with SOLA video manager Jason Chao, Derek shares his testimony, as well his experiences with Asian American representation in the film industry. We hope this conversation encourages other Christians who are facing obstacles in their callings to follow God in faith. 

Our “Artists in Motion” series hopes to platform Asian American Christian artists, as well as encourage all artists to root their identities in Christ and use their callings to share art and truth with the world.

Watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/-PhvJniPm9k

Read the transcript on our website:

https://sola.network/article/facing-uncertainty-with-faith-interview/

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Website: https://sola.network

How do pastors address a world that tries to minimize pain or avoid it altogether? Pastor and professor Dr. Matthew Kim addresses the problem of pain and its importance in pulpit ministry in his new book Preaching to People in Pain. 

In this interview with SOLA Network social media manager Aaron Lee, Dr. Kim talks about his own painful experiences and encourages pastors to preach on the topic—even if it is difficult. He also exhorts church members to encourage their pastors, many of whom may be hurting, as well as to encourage one another to be vulnerable by being a safe community where people can share.

Watch the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Z8RlmbswRWM

Read the transcript on our website:

https://sola.network/article/preaching-to-people-in-pain-interview/

Read Aaron's review of the book:

https://sola.network/article/preaching-to-people-in-pain-book-review/

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