Pearl Dive Podcast

In this high-energy conclusion to our interview with Dr. Scott Wall, we trade the library for the diamond! Did you know the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is home to the largest private softball league in the region, born entirely out of Chinese Christian congregations? Scott breaks down how a league that started with just six teams in 1980 evolved into a massive social ecosystem of over 1,500 players. We explore how these “layers of experience”—from church pews to Teens Conferences to university fellowships—create a unique “locality” of faith that defines what it means to be a Chinese Canadian young adult today.The conversation takes a provocative turn as we tackle the “Evangelical” label. Scott reveals a surprising trend: why were thousands of Chinese Canadian 20-somethings bypassing local mentors to listen to “old white guys from Minnesota” like John Piper? We dive into the sociology of “identity negotiation,” exploring how Neo-Reformed theology helped a generation differentiate themselves from both a secular society and their parents’ first-generation traditions. It’s a deep look at why we need a “multivocal” faith and how the “Divine Migrant” continues to move through our suburbs, our stadiums, and our hearts.Check out Dr. Scott Wall’s PhD thesis on Chinese Canadian Evangelical experiences in the GTA entitled, “Multi-sited Faith: Chinese Canadian, Young Adult Evangelicals and the Negotiation of Ethno-Religious Identity in the Greater Toronto Area”.Glossary of Terms* CCSA (Christian Community Softball Association): Originally the Chinese Christian Softball Association, this massive GTA league serves as a primary social hub for thousands of players across dozens of churches.* Neo-Reformed Theology: A modern resurgence of Calvinist thought (emphasizing the sovereignty of God and the authority of Scripture) popularized by figures like John Piper and Tim Keller.* Identity Negotiation: The social process where individuals or groups balance different aspects of their identity (e.g., being “Canadian,” “Chinese,” and “Christian”) to find where they fit in society.* Oppositionalism: A sociological term for defining one’s identity by what they are not (e.g., an evangelical defining themselves as being “at odds” with secular culture).* Locality: In this context, Scott defines it not just as a physical map, but as a “string of experiences” (school, church, sports) that shape a person’s worldview.* Anemic Discipleship: A term Scott uses to describe a faith that is weakened by only listening to a single cultural or theological voice rather than a diverse “multivocal” cloud of witnesses.Small Group Discussion Questions* The Softball Ecosystem: Scott argues that community isn’t just about geography, but shared experiences like the CCSA. What are the “social anchors” in your life (sports, clubs, hobbies) that have shaped your faith more than a Sunday sermon might?* The “Theological Elders”: The transcript mentions that many young adults looked to “The Johns” (Piper, MacArthur, Calvin) to form their identity. Why do you think we often look to distant voices rather than local ones to define our faith? Who are the local “theological elders” in your community you might be overlooking?* Differentiation: Scott notes that young adults often use theology to differentiate themselves from their parents’ “cultural” church. How do we honor the heritage of the first generation while still finding a theological language that feels authentic to our own time and place?Connect with Pearl Dive & AACHIPearl Dive shares stories from the history of Asian American Christianity. New episodes explore the faith, courage, and contributions of Asian American Christians throughout history.“Someday everyone will know our stories.”Please like, comment, and share this episode — and keep searching and sharing pearls from our Asian American Christian history! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Pearl Dive: The Toronto Deep Dive 🌊In this episode of Pearl Dive, host Daniel sits down with Dr. Scott Wall, a sociologist and pastor, to uncover the “unaccounted for” history of Chinese Canadian Christians in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Moving beyond the textbooks, Scott shares his journey as an “academic pearl diver” who stumbled upon a massive, vibrant network of over 200 churches that essentially reshaped the civic and spiritual landscape of Canada’s largest city. From the early days of the Chinese Presbyterian Church to the modern-day megachurches of Richmond Hill, this conversation explores how migration laws, economic shifts, and a “divine migrant” theology have created a uniquely multicultural expression of faith.Get ready for a fascinating look at how the church followed the “money and the movement” from the downtown core to the suburbs, proving that second-generation ministry isn’t a new trend—it’s a 50-year legacy. Whether you’re interested in the “Teens Conference” explosion or the sociological “boundary crossing” of the Incarnation, Scott helps us see that these stories aren’t just local history; they are a vital part of the global Christian story. Tune in to discover why opening ourselves to the stories of others is a fundamental part of following the “gentle, humble way” of Jesus.Check out Dr. Scott Wall’s PhD thesis on Chinese Canadian Evangelical experiences in the GTA entitled, “Multi-sited Faith: Chinese Canadian, Young Adult Evangelicals and the Negotiation of Ethno-Religious Identity in the Greater Toronto Area”.The Glossary 📚* 1.5 Generation: Individuals who immigrated to a new country as children or young adolescents, bridging the gap between their parents’ first-generation experience and the second-generation experience of those born in the host country.* GTA (Greater Toronto Area): The most populous metropolitan area in Canada, consisting of the city of Toronto and four surrounding regional municipalities.* Head Tax: A historic, discriminatory fee imposed by the Canadian government (1885–1923) specifically on Chinese immigrants to discourage them from entering the country.* Points-Based System: A Canadian immigration policy introduced in the 1960s that evaluates applicants based on criteria like education, language skills, and work experience rather than race or country of origin.* Parachurch Organization: Christian faith-based organizations that work outside of specific denominations to serve specific needs, such as campus ministries or youth conferences.* Sociology of Religion: The study of the beliefs, practices, and organizational forms of religion using the tools and methods of sociology to understand how it shapes and is shaped by society.Small Group Discussion Questions 💬* The Divine Migrant: Daniel and Scott discuss the idea of God as a “Divine Migrant” through the Incarnation. How does viewing Jesus as someone who crossed the ultimate boundary (Heaven to Earth) change how you view migrants and newcomers in your own community?* Multiculturalism as Theology: Scott argues that listening to voices we haven’t heard before is part of following Christ’s humble way. Is your current spiritual life “multivocal,” or do you find yourself prioritizing one specific cultural story over others?* The Power of History: Scott mentions that many young people don’t realize that ministries like “Teens Conference” have 50-year roots. Why is it important for the next generation to understand that they are “inheritors” of a long history rather than just starters of something new?Connect with Pearl Dive & AACHIPearl Dive shares stories from the history of Asian American Christianity. New episodes explore the faith, courage, and contributions of Asian American Christians throughout history.“Someday everyone will know our stories.”Please like, comment, and share this episode — and keep searching and sharing pearls from our Asian American Christian history! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

In this gripping second half of our deep dive, Daniel and Rev. Dr. Matthew Todd peel back the curtain on the “DNA” of the Chinese Canadian church. If you’ve ever wondered why some churches feel like a “parent’s basement” while others operate like a “duplex,” this is the episode for you. Dr. Todd breaks down the Mickey Mouse model (one head, two distinct ears) and explores the “three-in-one” identity of being Christian, ethnically Chinese, and Canadian.The conversation gets real—and a little “hot”—as we tackle the Silent Exodus. Dr. Todd reveals heartbreaking statistics from his research, showing that when the next generation leaves the church, the impact isn’t just on the youth—it’s a “silent suffering” for the parents that can last for decades. From the “Gweilo” (鬼佬) perspective of serving in a Chinese context to the radical idea that the Chinese church is the modern-day Acts 6 model, this episode is a masterclass in sociology, theology, and heart-led ministry.The Glossary: Decoding the DNAIf some of the “academe-speak” went over your head, don’t worry—we’ve got you. Here are the key terms you need to navigate this episode like a pro:* Mickey Mouse Model: A church structure where one main leadership body oversees two (or more) distinct language congregations (e.g., Cantonese, English, Mandarin, etc.).* Ontology: A fancy word for the “nature of being.” Here, it refers to the core identity and “genetic makeup” of the Chinese church.* Parent’s Basement Model: A dynamic where the English Ministry (EM) feels subordinate to the mother tongue congregation, often lacking its own autonomy or resources.* Third Space: A social environment (like the church) that isn’t quite the “home” country or the “host” culture, but a unique hybrid where identity is negotiated.* Gweilo (鬼佬): A Cantonese term (literally “ghost man”) used to refer to Caucasians. Dr. Todd reflects on his decades serving as one within the Chinese community.Small Group Discussion Questions* The “Three-in-One” Identity: Dr. Todd describes Chinese Canadian Christians as navigating a hybrid life. How do you balance your faith, your ethnic heritage, and your Canadian citizenship? Do they ever feel in conflict?* Acts 6 vs. Acts 11: We discussed the “Hebraic vs. Hellenistic” Jewish tension as a mirror for modern immigrant churches. In your experience, does your church feel more like a “protected minority” (Acts 6) or a “multicultural third entity” (Acts 11)? Which model do you think is healthier for the next generation?* The Parent’s Perspective: The episode touches on “Silent Suffering”—the impact on parents when the next generation leaves the church. How can our churches better bridge the “EM” (English Ministry) and “CM” (Cantonese/Mandarin Ministry) gap without losing the heart of either?* The Ripple Effect of the Exodus: Dr. Todd noted that 62% of parents still feel the emotional impact of their children leaving the church ten years later. How can we shift the conversation from “parental failure” to “communal support” for those experiencing this silent suffering?Connect with Pearl Dive & AACHIPearl Dive shares stories from the history of Asian American Christianity. New episodes explore the faith, courage, and contributions of Asian American Christians throughout history.“Someday everyone will know our stories.”Please like, comment, and share this episode — and keep searching and sharing pearls from our Asian American Christian history! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Ever wondered how a 16th-century Russian renewal movement ended up thriving in the dim sum hubs of Metro Vancouver? In this episode of The Pearl Dive, our host Daniel plunges into the fascinating history of Chinese Canadian Mennonite Brethren (MB) churches with the “Jacques Cousteau of ethno-religious research,” Rev. Dr. Matthew Todd. From his early days as a 17-year-old volunteer to his deep-dive doctoral work on the “Silent Exodus,” Dr. Todd shares how God has been weaving a bicultural tapestry across the Pacific Rim.We’re breaking down the “happy headaches” of rapid church growth and why the MB theology—with its focus on community, high view of Scripture, and “right living”—works so well with Chinese cultural values. Whether you’re curious about how Hong Kong’s 1997 handover fueled a church planting boom or why an association of 20+ churches is the secret sauce to linguistic and cultural advocacy in denominations in Canada, this episode is a literal treasure chest. Grab your snorkel; it’s time to find some pearls!The Glossary: Talk Like a Pearl DiverIf some of the “academe-speak” went over your head, don’t worry—we’ve got the map. Here are the key terms you need to navigate this episode like a pro:* Anabaptist: A Protestant tradition originating in the 16th century emphasizing adult baptism and “radical” discipleship.* Silent Exodus: A term used to describe the phenomenon of second-generation Asian Americans/Canadians leaving the immigrant churches of their parents.* MB: sometimes jokingly referred to as Mostly Baptist, but really Mennonite Brethren,.* Mennocostal: A cheeky portmanteau for someone who blends Mennonite peace-loving, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount theology with Pentecostal fire!* GDR: No, not the former East Germany—in this context, it refers to the German, Dutch, and Russian roots of the early Mennonite Brethren.* MBCCA: Mennonite Brethren Chinese Churches Association. The “Avengers” of Chinese MB church planting and support.Small Group Discussion Questions* The “Pearl Diving” Metaphor: Dr. Todd and Daniel discuss “diving into history” to find heavenly treasures. How does knowing your specific community’s history (ethnic, denominational, or local) change the way you view your current spiritual walk?* Cultural Synergy: Dr. Todd mentions that Chinese cultural values (collectivism, respect for texts, ethical conduct) often align with Mennonite Brethren theological distinctives. Where else do you see “cultural bridges” between your own heritage and your faith tradition?* Faith, Family, and Identity: How do your cultural background and family expectations shape your experience of church and faith today?Connect with Pearl Dive & AACHIPearl Dive shares stories from the history of Asian American Christianity. New episodes explore the faith, courage, and contributions of Asian American Christians throughout history.“Someday everyone will know our stories.”Please like, comment, and share this episode — and keep searching and sharing pearls from our Asian American Christian history! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Did you know the fastest way to become a Chinese Christian pastor is actually to get an engineering degree? Apparently, the "Engineer-to-Pastor Pipeline" is a real thing, and this week on Pearl Dive, Dr. Justin Tse is here to explain why. Host Daniel Mok (in his brave debut as a podcaster!) chats with Justin about his journey from a California "pastor’s kid" to a UBC student who basically used a history degree as an elaborate excuse to move to Vancouver and "find his roots." We’re diving into the "revivalist" tradition—a world where personal piety is everything and history is often treated like that one awkward relative no one wants to talk about because it feels a bit too "man-made."Justin also breaks down his book, Sheets of Scattered Sand, where he explores why describing Chinese Christians as "disunited" is actually a poetic tribute to their complexity. We tackle the "Secular Dream" of the Pacific Rim—which, sadly, isn't a fancy luxury cruise, but rather the awkward social space where religious fervor meets multicultural politeness. From the "flexible citizenship" of the 80s Hong Kong migration to Justin’s own spiritual pivot toward Eastern Catholicism, this episode is a witty, deep-dive look at what happens when a "grain of sand" tries to find its place in a global story. Whether you're here for the sociology or just the engineering jokes, it's a treasure trove of Sinophone history you won't want to miss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

In this episode of the Pearl Dive podcast, Tim Tseng and Daniel Mach, a Chinese Canadian pastor and seminarian from Calgary, Alberta, talk about Chinese Canadian Christian history. They discuss the unique aspects of Chinese Canadian cuisine, particularly the dish ginger beef, and explored the history of Chinese Christians in Canada. Daniel highlights the need to document and preserve the history of Chinese Canadian Christians, noting that this history is often overlooked. He also shares his plans to interview various individuals, including oral historians, practitioners, and scholars, to create a comprehensive Pearl Dive podcast series on Chinese Canadian Christian history. The conversation touches on the diversity within the Chinese-Canadian Christian community and the importance of understanding different expressions of Christianity within this group.Connect with Pearl Dive & AACHIPearl Dive shares stories from the history of Asian American Christianity. New episodes explore the faith, courage, and contributions of Asian American Christians throughout history.“Someday everyone will know our stories.”Please like, comment, and share this episode — and keep searching and sharing pearls from our Asian American Christian history! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

In this episode of the Pearl Dive, Tim Tseng sits down with author and educator Marie Chan to discuss her children's book Mamie Takes a Stand: The True Story of Mamie Tape, A Chinese American Girl's Fight for School Rights. They explore the remarkable legal history of Tape v. Hurley (1885), the complex intersection of race, faith, and justice in Chinese American history, and why these stories still matter today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The Rev. Jessie Jackson passed away last night. Tim Tseng talks to Rev. Norman Fong, the unofficial pastor of San Francisco’s Chinatown about how Jackson helped ignite the Asian American movement for Justice for Vincent Chin. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The Dive Bar is open! In this episode, Tim Tseng speaks with Alex Jun on his very first week at Fuller’s Asian American Center (June 2026) to reflect on Korean American Christian history, immigration, memory, and racial formation. He also talks about the ways his faith has shaped and has been shaped by life in America. What unfolds is a conversation about how history lives with us in our churches, our politics, our theology, and our sense of belonging.A graduate of the University of Southern California with a PhD in education, Dr. Jun has spent the last two decades researching and writing on racial justice in the church, education, and society. He is the author of several books and articles, including co-authoring the forthcoming Sabbath God: Gospel for Korean America. His current work engages issues of faith, justice, and culture in the Korean American church and beyond.Dr. Jun has also served in a variety of leadership roles, including as the founding director of the Korean American Leadership Initiative (KALI), and as the 45th Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in America. He currently serves as the director of intercultural development at Serge, and co-founder and chief of strategic partnerships at Khora Collective. He and his wife live in Los Angeles, where they are members at Citizens Los Angeles, and they have three adult children. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

In this episode of the Dive Bar, Tim Tseng and historian David Lai discusses the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and its relevance to Asian American Christians. The conversation, recorded shortly before MLK Day 2026, explores how King’s faith-driven activism can bridge gaps within immigrant and Asian American church communities. David Lai shared insights about King’s life, work, and faith. They discussed how King’s sermons and writings can be used to connect with Asian American audiences, particularly in immigrant churches that lack memory regarding the Civil Rights Movement. To engage these communities, they suggest:* Commemorating MLK Day: Using the holiday to specifically look at King as a person of faith and pastor rather than just a historical figure who was a civil rights leader.* Focusing on Primary Sources: Engaging directly with King’s words rather than his contested public image. King’s published sermons, such as those in Strength to Love, show how his faith grounded his pursuit of justice.* Understanding Service: Moving from “optional” individual volunteerism to a communal obligation for the “greater good”.* Engaging Ethnic History: Drawing parallels between the Civil Rights Movement and the specific histories of Asian American communities.They explored how King’s legacy has been both utilized and misused over time, and discussed the relevance of his teachings for contemporary social issues. The conversation also touched on the importance of commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and incorporating King’s teachings into Asian American Christian.Note: You can read David’s sermon on his substack account.Books mentioned:* Justin Rose, The Drum Major Instinct: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Theory of Political Service (University of Georgia Press, 2019)* Hajar Yazdiha, The Struggle for the People’s King: How Politics Transforms the Memory of the Civil Rights Movement (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2023)Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The fifth and final episode of Pilgrimage: Manzanar, Memory, and Meaning gathers pastors, students, and public voices to reflect on the practice and purpose of pilgrimage.Host Elise Kaneshiro speaks with Rev. Michele Turek, Dr. Jemar Tisby, and Charlie Sponsel about what it means to become community through remembrance, truth-telling, and solidarity. Their conversation traverses themes of belonging, interethnic witness, and faithful resistance—asking how pilgrimage forms the body of Christ across differences and generations.From stories of shared meals to reflections on the journey together, Becoming Community explores how remembrance itself becomes an act of hope.Watch the companion video:This episode was recorded remotely from Pasadena, California, and is supported by the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary and the K/T Foundation. Sponsored by Lonely Bird Studios and edited by Paul Michael Corpus Abesamis.Intro and outro music by Daniel King and Benji Tseng. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Episode 4 marks the centennial of Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles (EBCLA), a community whose story has been shaped by Japanese American mass incarceration and whose witness continues through their sponsorship and active participation in the annual Manzanar pilgrimage.Just a couple of weeks ago the church celebrated….In this episode, host Elise Kaneshiro speaks with Reverend Jason Ashimoto, Senior Pastor of EBCLA and member of the 2025 Manzanar pilgrimage planning team. Together, they reflect on Evergreen’s 100 years of ministry, the congregation’s multi-generational roots, and the church’s partnership with Fuller’s Asian American Center for a landmark pilgrimage that brought more than 160 participants together across generations.The conversation highlights intergenerational remembrance, cultural hospitality in worship, and the spiritual formation that occurs when a church returns to sites of memory. From family stories and survivor presence to closing communion, Evergreen’s centennial pilgrimage embodied a living legacy of resilience, faith, and communal care.Coming soon! Rev. Jason’s 8-part sermon series, “Roots,” to be posted as part of the Pearl Dive’s “Sermons to Remember” series. Watch the companion video:This episode was recorded remotely from Pasadena, California, and is supported by the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary and the K/T Foundation. This episode was sponsored by Lonely Bird Studios and edited by Paul Michael Corpus Abesamis.Intro and outro music by Daniel King and Benji Tseng. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

We trust that you have found the Pilgrimage: Manzanar, Memory, and Meaning podcast series featuring Elise Kaneshiro to be engaging and informative. During the interim between episodes, I would like to present a Dive Bar conversation held with Rev. Dr. Kiem Le on May 30, 2025.Dr. Kim Le, a Vietnamese-American church leader, recounted his personal migration experience and reflected on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which signaled the onset of a significant wave of refugees from Vietnam to the United States. He provided valuable perspectives on the evolution of Vietnamese-American Christian communities, emphasizing the notable presence of both Catholic and Protestant adherents, as well as the historical influence of organizations such as the Christian and Missionary Alliance in advancing Christianity within Vietnam and across the U.S. Dr. Le concluded by highlighting influential figures in the community’s establishment (such as Pastor Quan Dang, Pastor Le Vinh Thach, and Pastor Nguyen Anh Tai), discussing a newly launched theological initiative, and addressing ongoing challenges including cultural adaptation, evangelism, and intergenerational integration among Vietnamese American Christians.This episode was recorded remotely from Castro Valley, California, and is supported by the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary, the K/T Foundation, and our audience.For further reading* Peter Phan, Christianity with an Asian Face: Asian American Theology in the Making, Orbis Books, 2003* Viet Thanh Nguyen, Nothing Ever Dies: Việt Nam and the Memory of War, Harvard University Press, 2016* Viet Thanh Nguyen, The Refugees: Việt Nam and the Memory of War, Grove Press, 2017* Elaine Padilla, Peter C. Phan (editors), Christianities in Migration:The Global Perspective, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016* Nathalie Huỳnh Châu Nguyễn (editor), The Routledge Handbook of the Vietnamese Diaspora, Routledge, 2024* Isabelle Thuy Pelaud and Lan Duong (editors), The Cleaving: Vietnamese Writers in the Diaspora, University of California Press, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The third episode of Pilgrimage: Manzanar, Memory, and Meaning explores the theme of inheritance—what is passed down through memory, culture, and faith.Host Elise Kaneshiro speaks with Dr. Johnny Ramírez-Johnson, Dr. Alex Jun, and Myles Haruki-Nelson, who each participated in the 2025 Manzanar Pilgrimage. Together, they discuss family legacy, intergenerational trauma, and the sacred responsibility of remembrance.Through stories of migration, racial reconciliation, and hope, Inheritance reflects on how faith transforms our understanding of history and identity. The conversation weaves together history, theology, and pastoral care, offering a deeply personal look at what it means to hold—and heal—our collective past.Watch the companion video:This episode was recorded remotely from Pasadena, California, and is supported by the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary and the K/T Foundation.Intro and outro music by Daniel King and Benji Tseng. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

We continue the Dive Bar, a series that is part of the Pearl Dive podcast. In the Dive Bar we talk to folks inside AACHI and the Fuller Asian American Center orbit about all kinds of things: what we’re working on, what we’re interested in. We hope you’ll like these conversations. So grab a drink of your choice and join us.Today, I’m talking to Dr. Joe Cheah, who along with Dr. David Moe, is heading up a new AACHI project about the Burmese American Christian diaspora. This project was awarded grants from APARRI and the American Baptist Home Mission Society. We looking forward to amplifying the history, stories, and theologies from Burma Diaspora Christian communities in the United States.Fr. Joe Cheah, OSM, is Professor and Chair in Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut. As a part of the first wave of immigrants from Burma, he came to the United States with his parents in 1966. He co-sponsors the St. Mary’s Home in Kyauktan, Myanmar. All donations and inquiries go through our 501(c)(3) organization in the US: The Children Charitable Foundation of Myanmar, Inc. (childrenofmyanmar.org)Joe has published extensively, including Race and Religion in American Buddhism: White Supremacy and Immigrant Adaptation (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), Theological Reflections on “Gangnam Style”: A Racial, Sexual, and Cultural Critique (New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2014) with Grace Ji-Sun Kim, and Anti-Asian Racism: Myths, Stereotypes, and Catholic Social Teaching (New York: Orbis Books, 2023). Joe can be reached at [email protected]. — Tim TsengThanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The second episode of Pilgrimage: Manzanar, Memory, and Meaning invites listeners into a conversation on embodiment, hospitality, and faith.Host Elise Kaneshiro speaks with Krystin Bruan, Creative Producer at Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center, reflecting on the 2025 Manzanar Pilgrimage and the sacred practice of returning to sites of history and faith.Through stories of intentional care, collaboration, and presence, Return explores how acts of hospitality and remembrance sustain spiritual formation and community identity across generations.Watch the companion video: This conversation was recorded remotely from Oʻahu and Pasadena, California, and is supported by the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary and the K/T Foundation.Intro and outro music by: Daniel King and Benji Tseng This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The opening episode of Pilgrimage: Manzanar, Memory, and Meaning centers on holding story and sorrow, reflecting on the power of public truth-telling across generations and faith traditions.Host Elise Kaneshiro speaks with Mr. Bill Watanabe, camp survivor and community leader (Little Tokyo Historical Society), and Dr. Pamela King, Professor of Applied Developmental Science and Co-Director of the Thrive Center for Human Development at Fuller Theological Seminary.Together, they explore how testimony, trauma, and pilgrimage shape identity, healing, and vocation. Through survivor memory and spiritual reflection, Witness invites listeners to consider how remembrance becomes a sacred act of faith and justice.Watch the companion video: This conversation was recorded remotely from Oʻahu and Pasadena, California, and is supported by the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary.Intro and outro music by Daniel King and Benji Tseng. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The Dive Bar is open! We talk to folks inside AACHI and Fuller’s Asian American Center about what we're working on, what we're interested in…all kinds of stuff! So we hope you'll like these conversations, which are part of the Pro Dive podcast. So get a drink of your choice and join us!In today's episode of the Dive Bar, I chat with our very own Pearl Diver Elgin Quan. If you've been following the Pearl Dive, you'll know that Elgin has contributed a couple of stories already. “A Father and Son's Full Circle Mission From Canton to Oakland” is based on her interview with Tim Wong, who reflected about his father Sen Wong's life and ministry. Sen Wong was the founder of Chinese Bible Mission, a network of Chinese churches across Northern California.Elgin also wrote “There Is None Like Him: A Mother's Song of Survival and Salvation Across Oceans and Generations,” Cheng Lee Heen Jun’s (郑李显珍) harrowing journey from Guang XI to Vietnam and then to the US as a refugee.I met Elgin several years ago when she was writing up interviews and stories of the members of the Cantonese Senior Fellowship at Sunset Church in San Francisco, a church that was formerly known as Sunset Chinese Baptist Church. I was so excited by her passion for elderly Chinese Christians and their stories and their histories that I just had to find a way to get her to be part of AACHI. So we're so blessed that Elgin is one of our pearl divers, and I look forward to hearing more of her stories in the future, as I hope you do too.This conversation was recorded on September 4th, 2024. — Tim TsengThanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Today we're starting the Dive Bar, a new series that is part of the Pearl Dive podcast. We'll talk to folks inside AACHI and the Fuller Asian American Center orbit about all kinds of things: what we're working on, what we're interested in. We hope you'll like these conversations. So get a drink of your choice and join us.Today, I'm talking to Dr. David Moe, who along with Dr. Joe Cheah, is heading up a new AACHI project about the Burmese American Christian diaspora. This project was awarded an APARRI Working Grant. We are excited to amplify the history, stories, and theologies from the Burmese American Christian communities. Dr. David Thang Moe is at Yale University in New Haven, CT. where he is a Postdoctoral Associate and Lecturer in Religion and Conflict at the Council on Southeast Asia Studies at MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies and Department of Religious Studies. He can be reached on Facebook at facebook.com/davidmoe83.For more about Burmese American Christians, see David Thang Moe, “The Hidden Stories of Burmese American Christians: Understanding their Imagination of Identity,” International Bulletin of Mission Research 2024, Vol. 48(3), 383­ –398. — Tim TsengThanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

In part two of our conversation with Robert Chao Romero, Fiel Sahir talks to Robert about his academic journey and reflections on non-innocent histories of Christianity that includes the Brown Church, Asian American Christianity and other marginalized Christian communities. He also discusses the story of the Chinese in Mexico and theological musings on the Brown Church. If you haven't listened to part one, it might be worth taking a look at that as it'll give a deeper context into everything we'll be discussing throughout this episodeRev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero is "Asian-Latino," and has been a professor of Chicana/o Studies and Asian American Studies at UCLA since 2005. He received his Ph.D. from UCLA in Latin American History and his Juris Doctor from U.C. Berkeley. Romero has published more than 30 academic books and articles on issues of race, immigration, history, education, and religion, and received the Latina/o Studies book award from the international Latin American Studies Association. His book, Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity (2020), received the InterVarsity Press Readers’ Choice Award for best academic title. Romero is a former Ford Foundation and U.C. President's Postdoctoral Fellow, as well as a recipient of the Louisville Institute's Sabbatical Grant for Researchers. Robert is also an ordained minister and community organizer.This interview was recorded on January 27, 2025.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.With this episode, the Pearl Dive podcast will take a brief break. Look out for new and different kinds of episodes this summer and fall!In the meantime, if you have questions about previous episodes or suggestions about topics that you’d like to see us cover, please email us at [email protected]. We also welcome audio recorded questions and comments of less than 30-seconds. Please say your name and tell us where you’re from.LINKS AND REFERENCES* Robert Chao Romero books:* Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity (IV Press Academic, 2020)* The Chinese in Mexico, 1882-1940 (University of Arizona Press, 2011)* Christianity and Critical Race Theory: A Faithful and Constructive Conversation (Baker Academic, 2023). With Jeff M. Liou.* God's Resistance: Mobilizing Faith to Defend Immigrants (New York University Press, 2023). With Brad Christerson, Alexia Salvatierra, and Nancy Wang Yuen* Justo L. Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity (2 volumes).* Justo L. Gonzalez works on Amazon.* Hugo Wong, America’s Lost Chinese: The Rise and Fall of a Migrant Family Dream (2023).Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

In this episode of the Pearl Dive podcast, Fiel Sahir talks to Robert Chao Romero about the Chinese side of his family heritage. His grandfather, Calvin Chao, was one of the four famous Chinese evangelists who led the revival of diasporic Chinese Christianity in the mid-twentieth century. Robert also explores his upbringing as an Asian-Latino Christian in Southern California and discusses his study about Chinese in Mexico.Rev. Dr. Robert Chao Romero is "Asian-Latino," and has been a professor of Chicana/o Studies and Asian American Studies at UCLA since 2005. He received his Ph.D. from UCLA in Latin American History and his Juris Doctor from U.C. Berkeley. Romero has published more than 30 academic books and articles on issues of race, immigration, history, education, and religion, and received the Latina/o Studies book award from the international Latin American Studies Association. His book, Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity (2020), received the InterVarsity Press Readers’ Choice Award for best academic title. Romero is a former Ford Foundation and U.C. President's Postdoctoral Fellow, as well as a recipient of the Louisville Institute's Sabbatical Grant for Researchers. Robert is also an ordained minister and community organizer. This interview was recorded on January 27, 2025.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.LINKS AND REFERENCES* Robert Chao Romero books:* Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity (IV Press Academic, 2020) * The Chinese in Mexico, 1882-1940 (University of Arizona Press, 2011) * Christianity and Critical Race Theory: A Faithful and Constructive Conversation (Baker Academic, 2023). With Jeff M. Liou.* God's Resistance: Mobilizing Faith to Defend Immigrants (New York University Press, 2023). With Brad Christerson, Alexia Salvatierra, and Nancy Wang Yuen* Calvin Chao links/references [to be added]* Philip S. Leung, “Christian Fundamentalism In Modern China: Calvin Chao And The ‘Chinese For Christ’ Movement,” Jian Dao 17 (2002): 123-143. Thanks to the Christianity and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary, Hong Kong.* Calvin Chao’s publications on Amazon.comThanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

The center of Christianity has shifted from the West to the Global South. There is more interest in World Christianity today than ever before. But have minoritized Christians in the U.S. been leap frogged (as Bishop Roy Sano once confided to me) in the process? Dr. Soojin Chung, Director of the Overseas Ministries Study Center at Princeton Theological Seminary has some thoughts about that. In this deep dive episode of the Pearl Dive podcast. I talk to Soojin about how the study of World Christianity and Ethnic Studies can actually come together and be fruitful partners for research and ministry.Soojin also teaches in the Department of History and Ecumenics at the seminary. She convened the Princeton World Christianity Conference Gerald H. Anderson Lectures last month and is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Bulletin of Mission Research. — Tim TsengThis interview was recorded on March 19, 2025.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.LINKS AND REFERENCES* Soojin Chung, Adopting for God: The Mission to Change America through Transnational Adoption (NYU Press, 2021)* Overseas Ministries Study Center* International Bulletin of Mission Research* Dana Robert* Kosuke Koyama* EATWOT | wikipedia* Mercy Amba Oduyoye* Lamin Sanneh* Gerald Anderson* Jehu J. Hanciles, Migration and the Making of Global Christianity (Eerdmans, 2021)* Deanna Womack and Raimundo Berreto, eds., Alterity and the Evasion of Justice: Exploration of the “Other” in World Christianity (Fortress Press, 2023)* Afe Adogame, Raimundo Berreto, and Wanderly Pereira da Rosa, eds. Migration and Public Discourse in World Christianity (Fortress Press, 2019).*  Kirsteen Kim - ‘Racism Awareness in Mission: Touchstone or Cultural Blindspot?”, International Bulletin of Mission Research, 45(4), 376-386.(Original work published 2021)Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

How does the way you think or talk about faith help you respond to racism? How does the way you read the Bible address social injustice? Where I grew up, “uncles” with powerful faith kept raising these questions in bible studies and Sunday School. I believe these “eccentric uncles” were always in our Asian American faith communities. But during the 1960s and 1970s, they spoke up in a more public manner. Black, Latino, and indigenous church leaders were already speaking so elegantly against racial discrimination at the time. Our theological “uncles” did the same, demanding liberation for the Asian American church. In the process, they left us an impressive record of theological reflection and ministry practices that attempted to give voice to the growing Asian American Christian churches.In this deep dive episode of the Pearl Dive podcast, I talk to Shijie (SJ) Lu. S.J. is a doctoral candidate in Christian Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary. His research focuses on the intersection of race, Christian mission and ethics in the context of the San Francisco Bay Area. SJ grew up in Singapore and studied Anthropology and Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, he completed his MA in World Christianity at Regent College, where his thesis explored Singaporean Christians’ missional-ethical responsibility towards foreign domestic workers. His interests in Asian American (Christian) history include Asian American liberation theology, the genesis of the model minority stereotype, and theological roots informing its ethical witness. SJ lives in Berkeley with his wife and baby daughters. - Tim TsengThis interview was recorded on September 27, 2023.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.LINKS* Helen Kim, “Niseis of the Faith: Theologizing Liberation in the Asian American Movement,” (undergraduate thesis, Stanford University, 2006)* Wikipedia article: Roy I Sano* Densho Encyclopedia: Paul M. Nagano* Densho Digital Repository: Paul Nagano Interview* Densho Digital Repository: Lloyd K. Wake Interview* The Theologies of Asian Americans and Pacific Peoples: A Reader. [The PACTS Reader, originally published in 1976, revised and reprinted 2023] (Claremont Press, 2022) compiled by Roy I. Sano, edited by Daniel D. Lee.* Inventory of the Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies Collection at the Graduate Theological Union. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Could Taiwan become the Ukraine of Asia? How are Taiwanese Christians in North America responding to the geo-political uncertainties of Taiwan’s relationship to China? The May 15, 2022 mass shooting at the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California was, in part, a reflection of the fraught debates about the future of Taiwan. Also, how is the next generation of Taiwanese Christians experiencing the forces of assimilation in North America? In the face of possible erasure in Asian and North America, will or should Taiwanese Christian identity survive?In this deep dive episode of the Pearl Dive podcast, Tim Tseng talks to Shirley Lung, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Denver, about the story of Christianity in Taiwan and North America. This fits right into her research about transnational Taiwanese Christianities in the United States and Taiwan. Shirley’s broader research agenda includes religious nationalism, ethnicity, and politics. This interview was recorded on Feb. 26, 2025.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.LINKS* Shirley Lung, “Taiwanese Churches in Diaspora and Ethnic Identity Formation,” International Bulletin of Mission Research, 2024 Vol. 48:3 367­ –382* 2022 Laguna Woods shooting on Wikipedia.* “How many Taiwanese live in the U.S.? It’s not an easy question to answer,” Pew Research Center.* Carolyn Chen, “From Filial Piety to Religious Piety: Evangelical Christianity Reconstructing Taiwanese Immigrant Families in the United States,” International Migration Review. Vol. 40:3 (Fall, 2006), 573-602.* Catherine Lila Chou and Mark Harrison, Revolutionary Taiwan: Making Nationhood in a Changing World Order (Cambria, 2024) | Apple PodcastThanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

We live in an era of platform building and social influencers. Having a fan base is not the same as creating unity. What does one of the most important trailblazers promoting Asian American evangelical unity in the 1990s and 2000s say about what it takes to build unity? In the second part of this podcast, we talk to Pastor Louis Lee further about his ministry journey. Then we’ll hear why he started the Ministry for English speaking Asians (MESA) and discover some important pearls of wisdom that he gleaned while building unity in the Asian American church.This conversation was recorded on November 12, 2023. Please note that since the interview, Louis Lee has officially “retired” as a pastor. But he remains active in ministry as a supporter of pastors.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.LINKS* L.A. Times article, “Asian American pastors minister across culture gap” by Connie Kang (Sept. 29, 2007)* Interview with Louis Lee (Nov. 20, 2015) by Grace Hsiao on AsianAmericanChristian.org.Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

How many times have you heard that Asian American identity is not a thing. Some think that it's a label that's imposed on very different peoples. Others, especially immigrants, think that it refers only to the American-born or acculturated. And yet to embrace Asian American identity means admitting that there is something that unifies more than 26 million Americans with ancestral roots in Asia.One of the most important trailblazers promoting Asian American evangelical unity in the 1990s and 2000s is Pastor Louis Lee and the Ministry for English speaking Asians (MESA). We talk to Louis about the lessons he learned while working for unity in the Asian American church. In today's episode, we’ll hear how he started MESA and learn a bit about his personal journey.This conversation was recorded on November 12, 2023. Please note that since the interview, Louis Lee has officially “retired” as a pastor. But he remains active in ministry as a supporter of pastors.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.LINKS* Interview with Louis Lee (Nov. 20, 2015) by Grace Hsiao on AsianAmericanChristian.org.Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Can we restore the Golden Rule to the American public conscience? It will probably take a renewed grass root movement of people who are stubbornly faithful to Jesus’ command to love the neighbor.In today’s Deep Dive episode, Tim Tseng and Randi Walker continue last week’s conversation about Protestant advocacy for civil rights in Seattle, Washington in the 1940s and 1950s. Her 2012 book,  Religion and the Public Conscience, Ecumenical Civil Rights Work in Seattle, 1940-1960 show how the Seattle Council of Churches and the Christians and Friends for Racial Equality fought for racial justice in the years before the civil rights movement.Today we talk about ecumenical Protestant efforts in Seattle to secure a peaceful and just community in an emerging city with a significant Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese American presence. We also learn how Asian American Christians played important roles in shaping a public moral conscience in Seattle.This post is public so feel free to share it.*This conversation was recorded on September 25, 2023.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.LINKS* Joanna Phillips, “Christian Friends for Racial Equality, 1942-1970,” The Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project (University of Washington).* Anne M. Blankenship, Christianity, Social Justice, and the Japanese American incarceration during World War II (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2016).* James F. Findlay, Jr., Church People in the Struggle: The National Council of Churches and the Black Freedom Movement, 1950-1970 (Oxford University Press, 1991)* Video: A Church Stands Up With Its People. From Mitch Homma.* Stephanie Hinnershitz. Race, Religion, and Civil Rights: Asian Students on the West Coast, 1900-1968. (Rutgers University Press, 2015).* Sarah M. Griffith, The Fight for Asian American Civil Rights: Liberal Protestant Activism, 1900-1950 (University of Illinois, 2018).* Jennifer C. Snow, Protestant Missionaries, Asian Immigrants, and Ideologies of Race in America, 1850-1924 (New York: Routledge, 2007) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Most American Christians voted for the current administration and Congress, despite their potentially negative impact on people of color, the poor, and other vulnerable communities (not to mention a constitutional crisis). In his book, The End of Empathy: Why White Protestants Stopped Loving Their Neighbors, John Compton says that American Protestants stopped loving their neighbors when they lost their cultural dominance in the 1970s. Prior to that, perceived threats to White Protestant dominance often resulted in powerful movements that scapegoated, excluded, and erased the non-Protestant and “heathen other” rather than seeking the common good. But… there were also many Christians who remained stubbornly faithful to Jesus’ command to love the neighbor despite majority opposition.In today and next week’s “deep dive” episodes of the Pearl Dive, Tim Tseng and Randi Walker talk about Protestant advocacy for civil rights in Seattle, Washington in the 1940s and 1950s. Her 2012 book,  Religion and the Public Conscience, Ecumenical Civil Rights Work in Seattle, 1940-1960 shows how the Seattle Council of Churches and the Christians and Friends for Racial Equality fought for racial justice in the years before the civil rights movement. As part of these organizations and networks, Asian American Christians also played important roles in shaping a public moral conscience in Seattle.Today, we get acquainted with Randi, talk about mainline Protestants, and discuss the emerging racial-ethnic landscape of Seattle prior to World War II. Next week, we will learn about ecumenical Protestant efforts in Seattle to secure a peaceful and just community in an emerging city with a significant Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese American presence.*This conversation was recorded on September 25, 2023.This season of Pearl Dive was brought to you by the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI) at the Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center and with the support of the KT Foundation.LINKS* Joanna Phillips, “Christian Friends for Racial Equality, 1942-1970,” The Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project (University of Washington).* John W. Compton, The End of Empathy: Why White Protestants Stopped Loving Their Neighbors (New York: Oxford University Press, 2020). | Podcast* Kathryn Gin Lum. Heathen: Religion and Race in American History (Harvard University Press, 2022).* Nicholas T. Pruitt, Open Hearts, Closed Doors: Immigration Reform and the Waning of Mainline Protestantism (New York: New York University Press, 2021).* Mark Wild, Renewal: Liberal Protestants and the American City after World War II (University of Chicago Press, 2019). | Podcast* Gene Zubovich, Before the Religious Right Liberal Protestants, Human Rights, and the Polarization of the United States (University of Pennsylvania, 2022). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Here is part two of the Pearl Cast with H.E. Leon Siu, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Hawaiian Kingdom. In this part of our interview we discuss the ethics of visiting Hawai’i, how Mr. Siu got involved with the Hawaiian Independence movement, and his work with other Pacific Island Nations.Watch this video, “Holy Spirit Fiya,” from Urbana 2015 for a live example of what happens when indigenous people’s gather to worship the Lord together and in their own languages. The song is by Leon Siu’s pastor, Kahu Moani Ninod-Sitch and sung in languages such as Yu’pik, Hawaiian, Samoan, Lakota and others. The interview was recorded on October 1, 2023. This season’s podcast series was brought to you with the support of the KT Foundation. Links to resources can be found below.Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! This post is public so feel free to share it.LINKS* Leon Siu, Interview on Centering podcast with Jane Hong and Tim Tseng (Jan. 21, 2021): Native Hawaiians: Independence and Christianity. | Apple Podcast* Leon Siu, The Future of the Hawaiian Kingdom [VIDEO]* Leon Siu, An Open Letter to the Church in Hawaii Ne (2007)* Leon Siu, A Biblical View of Hawaiian Sovereignty (2005)* Christian Heritage Hawaii [HeritageHawaii.org]* Inaugural World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People [VIDEO]* Daniel Kikawa, Perpetuated in Righteousness: The Journey of the Hawaiian People From Eden to the Present Time (Aloha Ke Akua Publishing, 1994).* Daniel Kikawa, The True God of Hawaiʻi: The Case for ʻĪo (Aloha Ke Akua Publishing, 2021).* Ronald Williams Jr., “Christianity in Hawaiʻi,” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion (Oxford University Press, Oct 2017)* Noenoe K. Silva, Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism (Durham & London: Duke University Press, 2004)* Candace Fujikane and Jonathan Y. Okamura, editors, Asian Settler Colonialism: From Local Governance to the Habits of Everyday Life in Hawai‘i (Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 2008) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Pearl Dive, a podcast from Fuller Seminary’s Asian American Church History Institute (AACHI). If you have ever wondered about how your ethnic heritage meets faith or about the history of Hawaii, this episode is for you. In the first two episodes of Pearl Dive, Fiel Sahir talks to Leon Siu, Foreign Minister for the Hawaiian Kingdom, about Christianity in Hawaii. Mr. Siu discusses the indigenous Christian spirituality in the first episode and the Independence movement in the second. The interview was recorded on October 1, 2023. This season’s podcast series was brought to you with the support of the KT Foundation.Links to resources can be found below. LINKS* Leon Siu, Interview on Centering podcast with Jane Hong and Tim Tseng (Jan. 21, 2021): Native Hawaiians: Independence and Christianity. | Apple Podcast* Leon Siu, The Future of the Hawaiian Kingdom [VIDEO]* Leon Siu, An Open Letter to the Church in Hawaii Ne (2007)* Leon Siu, A Biblical View of Hawaiian Sovereignty (2005)* Christian Heritage Hawaii [HeritageHawaii.org]* Inaugural World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People [VIDEO]* Daniel Kikawa, Perpetuated in Righteousness: The Journey of the Hawaiian People From Eden to the Present Time (Aloha Ke Akua Publishing, 1994).* Daniel Kikawa, The True God of Hawaiʻi: The Case for ʻĪo (Aloha Ke Akua Publishing, 2021).* Ronald Williams Jr., “Christianity in Hawaiʻi,” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion (Oxford University Press, Oct 2017) * Noenoe K. Silva, Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism (Durham & London: Duke University Press, 2004)* Candace Fujikane and Jonathan Y. Okamura, editors, Asian Settler Colonialism: From Local Governance to the Habits of Everyday Life in Hawai‘i (Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 2008)Thanks for reading Pearl Dive, AACHI's digital platform! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com

Hey friends! I’m Tim Tseng and I’m the director of the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center.It’s the day before Lunar New Year 2025 and I have an exciting announcement to make. We will launch the Pearl Dive Podcast next week. The Pearl Dive substack and podcast are the digital platforms of the Asian American Christian History Institute or AACHI. AACHI was started to uncover the hidden pearls of Asian American Christian history.Though I celebrate the growth of Asian American history over the last forty years, the pearls of Asian American Christianity remain deeply hidden in the oyster bed of American and world history.That’s why we want the public to know our Asian American Christian stories. Our histories can inspire and infuriate, affirm and challenge, educate and correct - for the benefit of the Church and the common good.So come and have a listen to the Pearl Dive Podcast! For this first season, Fiel Sahir and I will talk to people who played significant roles in the histories of Hawaiian and Asian American faith communities. We’ll also talk to folks who have given some thought to or who have researched these histories.This might be the first podcast ever to focus on Asian American Christian history, so I anticipate a few bumps. But I’m really excited to have this chance to share these stories.Please check fulleraachi.substack.com for more updates!Have a happy Lunar New Year everybody! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com