EL’s Dribble

I was in Redding this past week with some CMA guys looking to recruit interns. I wasn’t like other guys looking for someone to fill in a youth, children’s or worship position. I didn’t have a position to fill but willing to see if there are some guys who want to just come along and learn together. I guess that’s probably more in tune with the original concept of “intern”.

We went to the Asian fellowship and since it’s a CMA school, most of the Asian students were Hmong – there are a lot of Hmong CMA churches. I was really encouraged by the fire and passion for Jesus in them. It was good to see students who didn’t want to settle for status quo spirituality. They wanted revival and they wanted it bad… among their people and in the world.

I realized too that I don’t see that same fire among Chinese and Korean-American Christians. There isn’t that desperation that I see in these Hmong students. Granted, our sample size isn’t entirely fair… and most of these students are in Bible college for a reason. But still… the passion is so refreshing to see.

I think they grasp the Gospel more… that it’s really good news to them… I think they do because they come from poor families. Living in poorer neighborhoods, coming from working class families and being a part of the immigrant experience. Second generation Chinese/Korean kids have a little bit of the immigrant experience through their parents, but it’s not the same. They come primarily from middle-income families and don’t need to fight for what you get – and many of our parents do whatever they can to shield them from the hardships. I know, I’m one of them. I have to confess that I had it pretty easy. I’ve had to fight a few battles, but not like these guys.

When Jesus says blessed are the poor… there’s a reason. And you see it come to life among these new friends we made. If the poor are so blessed, why are we as a nation fighting so hard for money?

We also participated in a ministry class entitled, “The Business of Ministry”. Great. Their assignment that day? Lead a board meeting. Wow.  I think there’s nothing more invigorating.

I also got to hang out with this guy named Edmond Yeung. I have to confess that I don’t get along with a lot of Chinese pastors. I’m thoroughly supported by many Chinese pastors, but when it comes to connecting with them, we’re in different worlds. Completely… and frankly, it’s frustrating.

But I got to spend some time with Edmond and I was so encouraged. Why? He wasn’t about the numbers [his church is around 40-50 people]; he wasn’t about the acclaim. He didn’t have an unhealthy ambition that I see in so many pastors – I get it too sometimes and I have to beat the damn dog out of me. He wasn’t dominated with a drive to get more people in his church for the sake of getting more people in his church. He longed for people just to love Jesus. All he wanted to see was people turned on to the Gospel. That’s all. It didn’t matter that they were in his church or not.

And he told stories about his life – how his siblings were brilliant and he was the “dunce” among his siblings. And that God found  a way to use someone who’s terrible at public speaking, not exceptionally bright and with not a whole lot to give. He’s one of these guys… these guys that I so admire… that say stuff like this… “I don’t know how God did it… but he did.” Sorta like the blind man in the Gospels, “I don’t know what happened. All I know is that I was blind, but now I see.”

The man loves Jesus… why? Because he knows he can’t do anything for Jesus and yet he still loves him! And he can’t help but to love him back! He just loves Jesus. I love that… and it’s so encouraging. I can imagine that he’s not super popular among Chinese pastors. Because he’s not the savviest, nor the most charismatic and he definitely doesn’t have the biggest church. But the man loves Jesus. And that seems like it should count the most. It seems. Thanks Edmond for redeeming my historical relationship with Chinese pastors.