asian americans + Christian fellowships = More than Meets the Eye?

I was doing my daily browsing on Angry Asian Man. He posts relevant articles and issues in the news regarding Asian Americans, and most are articles about racist acts or marketing ploys etc. But the site does also have articles promoting Asian American music, film, and other media like comic books. This is the article that caught my attention:

East Bay Express: "Young, Asian American, and Christian" by Kathleen Richards

Before delving into my comments about the article, I want to address the author of this article and the newspaper in which it was printed. The author is not Asian, nor Asian American, and the newspaper is probably not as reputable as something like the SF Chronicle, or San Jose Mercury. The reporter based on the tone of the article is also probably not Christian.

The positives of this article is that people observe how many Asian Americans are finding a relationship with Christ. Richards reports the statistics of Asian American in the population, and then in the college population. She dips into our backgrounds and compares generalizes a bit that Asian Americans who have grown up in suburbia realize that there is more to life through Christianity. As information presented regarding Asian American college students, it does pretty well in somewhat describing who we are and where we come from. What it may ignore are the Asians that grow up in metropolises like San Francisco and Oakland (since the article focuses heavily on the experience at Berkeley). The background is somewhat different from Asian Americans from the suburbs, however the idea of self-sacrifice is probably more prevalent.

Richards describe instances on how our understanding and our faith affects decisions in our lives. The examples she describes are familiar because I myself have gone through it or I know someone in a similar situation, hence the familiarity in the Asian American experience. It does give a sense of authenticity and familiarity when reading because it describes many stories and ideas I heard when I was in Asian American Fellowship at U.C. Davis.

However, what I do not like, and what I feel the article does a poor job in is understanding or even writing it in a way where a reader can get a handle on how our faith in God has changed us. I can't sufficiently express how God has played a role in my life in one sentence, or to even have someone quote it. Her report on the "large group" experience is unclear as to whether is it good or bad because her tone and descriptions conflict. The outcome of the paragraph is that the fellowship experience is "same old, same old." Sure, she notes that someone cried, but then she ends it with the thought that they went out for ice cream.

The article also seems to emphasizes heavily on how church leaders repeat that GPA is not important, maybe it is just Berkeley, but I know I heard that often when I was at Davis as well. I'm not sure why Richards reiterates that point so often, is it because the article is about Asian Americans, and the stereotype behind our ethnic groups are that we are hardworking and smart? After reading this my friend, said "[she] makes it seem like Christianity is a band aid for the pressures of the Asian American experience." Is Richards, trying to incite that Christianity is an outlet for Asian Americans to relieve the pressures felt to succeed by the older generation?

The though titled "Young, Asian American, and Christian" has a section titled Faith and Science, which does not relate to the Asian American experience at all. Overall, I don't think this article finds it's voice and conveys it's intentions. It does a good job in presenting different aspects of faith amongst Asian Americans on the U.C. Berkeley campus. Her diction causes her to choose the word "recruit," which can be misinterpreted. As a Christian, I do not see myself recruiting others into a fellowship. What I see myself doing is sharing my experience of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Obviously, I can't speak for all Christians.

Given the pros and cons of this article. Here is what readers should take away:

1. It is great that people are trying to understand faith amongst Asian Americans and why many Asian Americans are choosing to follow Jesus Christ during college, whether it be cultural influences, ethnic differences, etc. Exploring connections between Christianity and Asian American ethnic background can further up individuals understand the cornerstones of their faith and why they believe. Do they believe because of lifestyle and tradition, or do they believe because we comprehend the sacrifice and gift that Jesus Christ gave us through His death?

2. Someone cannot fully comprehend the greatness of God secondhand. Seeing God's glory is a personal experience, and unique to your life. When you truly give up control of everything, God will show you who He is.

3. Despite the career choices, and the different attitudes about GPA, people are not complaining but find it easier and more enjoyable the life they are living after understanding Christ compared to before. Physical life is too short to stress over achieving success in this world because it is only temporary. God gave us the talent to succeed, but does that desire to succeed take priority over God? and how can we use the talents He gave us for His will?

4. If non-Christians view us like Richards does, what does it say about your actions, your relationship with God? Do people see the change that God has brought into your life? Do the lyrics, "they will know we are Christians by our love," resonate through your actions?

5. God is universal, unchanging, and unconditional love. He is not defined by ethnic identity or culture. He is the same and we believers are different. We may come to Him through different means, and worship Him in different ways, but He receives it all the same.

*Note that the mention of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. I don't consider that to be a Christian church because of it's teachings of different beliefs. It is a great community, and a need in the Tenderloin district to care for the homeless, but in terms of spiritual foundations it is not a Christian church.


On a lighter note:
comic is from Secret Asian Man

Served by Community

Since I've graduated from Davis, which about 8 months now, I've struggled in finding a Christian community back home. I already knew before graduating that I wanted/needed to find a home church when I moved home, but with the different environment I didn't always put in the effort to put myself out there or go to a church on Sunday. But when I did attend, God always blessed me with a message that hit close to home.
Eight months later, I've visited City Church SF two times, and there are many positives about it, and I think that will be the church I'll be attending for now. However, in another 5-6 months, I'll be going to Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton. So I will be displaced yet again. But considering where I was spiritually 8 months ago, and now it's definitely improved. Improvement wasn't in leaps and bounds, but all the small things culminated and have led to God blessing me during the past 3-4 days.
I visited my friend Jianni, at UCB, and knew she usually has small group Bible study on Wednesday nights. I asked if I could go because the last time I actually participated in a Bible study with a group was back at Davis. Dissecting the Word was amazing, and God just pointed out so many things to our group. The Bible is where amazing happens.

The passage we studied was Acts 9:19-31:

19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.^[a]

23After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 9:19-31 (NIV)

Unfortunately I will make a list of the 3 things that I took from the passage:
1) Importance of community
2) Words deserving of death
3) Saul's inherent traits

1) Importance of community
When reading the passage, it's noticeable how Saul is dependent on disciples and his own disciples on helping him escape, directing him to the next town, or even vouching for his credibility post-conversion. Also when Saul first enters the town, he looks to join the disciples already there. He actively searches for community when in a different environment. Many people are doubtful of Saul because of his persecution of Christians, but Barnabas advocates him to the Apostles. Also his disciples help him escape; the community is aware of another's struggles and problems. When I was listening to Elijah (a person in the small group, not the OT prophet) talk about dependence on community and how Saul was lowered in the basket. The image of Saul just crouching in a basket with no one to lower him appeared in my head...heh. So, recognizing the importance for community when you need to be apart of the body is important, and as a body recognizing when one of you members is struggling is necessarily in keeping the body strong.

2) Words deserving of death
I thought of this because Saul would immediately preach once he reached a city, and what he said, "He is the Song of God." That phrase along with other things that Saul might have said cause people to plot to kill him. How often do we find ourselves saying something that we would be killed for? Also to grasp that what Saul is saying is the truth, and how the truth can get you killed. I thought of Jack Nicholson, in a Few Good Men, saying, "You want the truth, you can't handle the truth," and how that resonates with the general public when hearing about Hell, and not receiving salvation if not accepting the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. There is one truth and many lies, and as Christians we accept that truth and try to live lives according to that truth. Are we or do we present the truth in a way that can get us killed, or do we water it down so we can stay safe? Putting the situation in perspective, it's not like what Saul was saying was just some joke that people would ignore, but it was something so against the grain, so different, that people wanted to kill him for it.

3) Saul's inherent traits
Comparing pre-conversion and post-conversion Saul, Saul's skills and personality traits do not change, but their use is redirected for building the kingdom of God. Saul was a zealous pharisee who persecuted Christians from town to town, but after he was converted he was an active, bold speaker spreading the message truth that Christ is and was God. God created Saul, and when the time was right, He used Saul to become His messenger. We are created by God, and He knows what we're capable of, but are we using what He's given us for the kingdom of God? In the a similar aspect, who is to say that Person B is not or cannot be a servant of God because He doesn't act or possess certain traits or skills. We are created by God and all we are can and will be used by Him if we allow it.

This is probably shorter than it could be and longer than intended, but I do need to sleep because I have to work. Praise God for the Book of Truth, and how we only scratch the surface of it. It's been a good week for me, and God again showed me how much I can learn if I dig deep into His Word.

UCBSO

So the Interview Day for U.C. Berkeley Optometry School was February 2, 2008. Going into the interview, I was nervous because I would see the other, 124, applicants. I had already been accepted by SCCO, but I didn't want to rest on laurels going into the interview and not give it 100%. I wanted the option to choose between SCCO and UCBSO because staying in the Bay would be the smartest move because of the networking opportunities, and it is a bit cheaper, therefore, I would finish with less debt. But before I went to the interview, I was thinking that UCBSO would be the smart choice, and if I had the opportunity I would go there because it was the smart thing to do, and sacrifice the opportunities at SCCO. So there wasn't too much enthusiasm behind going to Berkeley other than it being the smart choice, and that all changed.

What was funny was that the first person I saw that interview day was a high school friend, that was first year opt student who was volunteering for the interview day, and I found out he was at UCBSO through facebook (the wonders of facebook). But after talking to him, I proceeded to register for the tour. Though I've been to Berkeley many many times, I've never seen the optometry school. Immediately I saw the other applicants and my competitive instincts kicked in. But I saw another familiar face, as much as my guard was up against my "competition," I lowered my guard as I talked to more of the applicants and related to them on experiences from working in optometry offices. It was weird hearing that people traveled from out of state to interview. There was an Asian girl talking about taking pictures, and I was like where are you from? And she replied, "Florida." I was stunned. Some of the applicants had already been out of school for 2-3 years, and one person I met got a Master's degree in Public Health, so I didn't feel that old being 7 months removed from undergrad.

My first impression from the tour was that Berkeley definitely did not have the same facilities as SCCO. The instruments were older, and there was only really one nice lecture hall. I wasn't too excited, but what changed my perspective was hearing all the first years talk about what they enjoyed about the school. A lot of them talked about volunteering at Suitcase clinic (clinic held at a local church where feet washing, and some preliminary vision screening takes place). Also they talked about traveling to Thailand and Nicaragua for Volunteer Optometric Services for Humany (VOSH). As a lot of the students were talking about community service, and the friendship they have in their class (60). I started to see how UCBSO would be a good fit for me.

UCBSO in some ways takes the undergrad creativity and implements it in the professional graduate school. Second years are Big Sibs for the first years, providing them with copies of old tests and helping them with books and what not. Volunteering points are accumulated in order to have the chance to participate in VOSH trips. Compared to other schools, UCBSO allows you to learn the parts of a full exam from the first day, and you're allowed to learn how to use different instruments. The excitement and enthusiasm for implementing what they learned and helping the community of Berkeley definitely appealed to me. SCCO wasn't presented in the same light, granted I only had one opinion, compared to maybe 20 at Berkeley.

I guess another thing that appealed to me was that it is a public institution, and you're kind of on the "grind". You're working hard versus throwing money at things to have the best equipment. Rocky versus Drago. Old school versus new school. You learn in an environment where you have a chip on your shoulder and always striving for the best. UCBSO is a boot camp for 4 years, but it prepares you with the knowledge and skills for success later. SCCO maybe a bit easier, but in the long run, I might come up short in terms of the education. In a nutshell, after the Interview Day, I felt that UCBSO was the best school for me, and if I do not get in I would be missing out. SCCO is not a bad school, but UCBSO just screams my personality. I don't think I've ever been so anxious to hear back from anything, or to have wanted something so much for myself. Choosing a college was never like this, but now we're talking about a career and life, and I guess it's a good thing that I want something so badly.

Again, I pray that hopefully God wants the same thing I do, if not, then I'll see what He has in store. If the Big G and I are on the same page, then I hope I will joyfully live out His will for me at UCBSO.