Steve is the founder of Grace Community Covenant Church and brings over 25 years of ministry experience with an MDiv in Theology from Talbot School of Theology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Asian American young adult development. He was a contributing writer to “Growing Healthy Asian American Churches” (InterVarsity Press, 2006). He has been trained as a spiritual director through North Park Seminary's certificate program in spiritual direction. He is also a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. Steve, his wife, Winnie and 3 teenagers live in San Jose. Steve is a big U2 fan, loves playing the guitar, cheering for the Warriors and admits to enjoying Chinese bitter melon.
Using the concepts from "Foreign to Familiar" by Sarah Lanier (consultant for YWAM) you can gain an understanding of the cultural differences that affect your local church's ability to do outreach. These differences may also be affecting how people within your local church relate to each other. Understanding these differences is the first step toward building relationship bridges for evangelism and a stronger church community.
Asian American culture contains many positive values that can strengthen the local church. But there are also Asian American values that can hinder the expression of God’s grace. These values need to be examined so that the local church can be intentional about establishing healthy practices of grace. This workshop will help Asian American church leaders look at their own church's practices and find ways to establish healthier life together.