The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition helps teens see the difference knowing Jesus makes in facing their unique challenges with identity, culture, and family.
Being a teenager is itself an overwhelming experience, but the struggles unique to Asian American teenagers can often lead us to wonder if anyone truly knows what we're going through. In this book, twelve authors will come alongside you to share their own high school experiences and to help you know that Jesus makes a difference in your unique struggles. He sees us and knows us fully.
These testimonies of growing up Asian American include struggles with belonging, performance issues, fear of failure, living in an honor/shame culture, immigrant parents, eating disorders, sexual assault, and adoption. Each writer now walks faithfully with Jesus in all of their ethnic and cultural distinctions. These stories lift up the Asian American experience with dignity and give you the opportunity to find both representation and a sense of belonging and worth.
“Resources like this were virtually nonexistent when I was growing up as an Asian American youth. The topics covered here are issues I struggled with then and which still persist in today's Asian American youth culture. Having teenagers myself, I know this book is tethered to their concerns. Since knowing Jesus means everything, I hope you'll seek, find, and draw closer to him through the wisdom of these important voices!”
Matthew D. Kim, Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership and George W. Truett Endowed Chair of Preaching and Evangelism, Truett Seminary, Baylor University
“Although the experiences of Asian American high school students vary greatly, Jesus can relate to each and every one of us. These personal narratives reveal how Jesus can meet us in our deepest wounds and darkest moments. They're lessons I wish I learned when I was a teenager and spiritual insights I still need to embrace.”
Russell Jeung, Professor of Asian American Studies, San Francisco State University; cofounder, Stop AAPI Hate
“This book speaks directly at the heart of the Asian American high school experience. The contributors’ honesty and vulnerability come through in their varied and relatable stories, each thoughtfully processed through the lens of Jesus and the gospel. This book is a gift for the countless teenagers seeking guidance and support in understanding their struggles through the transformative power of Jesus. Pastors and parents of teenagers should consider using this as a tool for their students.”
Steve Chang, Senior Pastor, Living Hope Community Church, Brea, CA; chair, SOLA Network
“In an era of seemingly sparse Asian American youth ministry resources, this anthology of incredible anecdotes will resonate with, comfort, and compel its respective readers. The authors have beautifully recounted and reframed their experiences through the lens of Christ and the gospel, so much that deep down, my teenage self has never felt more seen, heard, understood, encouraged, and healed.”
Dorothy Lau, Youth Director, Chinese Bible Church of Maryland, Rockville, MD
“I truly enjoyed reading The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition! Each chapter was insightful, amazingly clear and resonated deeply with my Asian American soul. I also appreciated the message of how Jesus redeemed each of the authors’ lives. I will share this wonderful book with my teens as well!”
Benjamin C. Shin, Associate Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
“This book highlights the sufficiency of Jesus and his Word to build our identity and belonging! I highly recommend parents use this resource to equip our preteens before they encounter these issues so they’ll be more likely to recognize the spiritual roots of their thoughts and feelings when they occur and follow the book’s guidance to their redemption and fulfillment in the gospel!”
Dr. Stephen Wat, President of the Board of Directors, Impact Ministries Canada
“I truly wish I had a book like this in high school to help me navigate my experiences as an Asian American Christian. I'm so grateful for the wisdom and vulnerability found in these pages that give voice to the unique struggles that Asian Americans have faced and continue to face as they wrestle with matters of faith, identity, and belonging.”
Jason Min, Lead Pastor, Citizens LA
“For Asian American students, and for those who care for them, this is a helpful read because it points students to who they need most in high school: Jesus. Wisdom, encouragement, insight, and hope are found in the words of this book from many of my trusted friends, pastors, and mentors.”
Chris Li, High School Pastor, Mariners Church
“So many Asian American Christians have held a unique space in the dark and silence in the unseen margins as they navigate through their faith. This book is a must-read for any Asian American teen searching for identity, belonging, and a deeper connection with their faith. They will be impacted by these writers who have been both marked by the pain of life and, ultimately, the hope they have in Christ.”
Peter Ong, Director of Community Engagement, Redeemer City to City New York; ministry leader, Living Faith Community Church; founding church planter, King's Cross Church, Flushing, NY
“When wrestling with their faith and identity, Asian American teenagers cannot overlook their ethnic and cultural heritage. Each contributor to this book brings to light the profound tension inherent in the Asian American experience. This resource offers invaluable practical insights and biblical wisdom, guiding teenagers and their parents through their spiritual journey as Asian American Christians.”
Hanley Liu, English Lead Pastor, First Chinese Baptist Church Walnut, CA
“I am deeply grateful for this book. I felt seen, heard, and known through its pages and felt so affirmed that my experiences as an Asian American are real, precious, and they matter to Jesus. These stories and experiences shared by Asian Americans for Asian Americans are told with such vulnerability, clarity, and compassion that I can’t help but see the heart of Jesus. I believe this book will be healing and redemptive for the next generation of Asian Americans.”
Huey Lee, Pastor of Youth Ministry, Christ Central Presbyterian Church, Centreville, VA
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“God loves the Asian American church and all its cultural distinctions - and God is working through the AA church to display his goodness and glory”
“God loves the Asian American church and all its cultural distinctions - and God is working through the AA church to display his goodness and glory”
I have been so blessed by reading the powerful stories of my Asian American brothers and sisters; this compilation is a gift to the body of Christ!
This is a very short but sweet read that gives some very important introductory language to the unique Asian American experience, and how the gospel ties into that. My favorite part was in the afterword where Jesus praying all night prior to selecting his disciples is referenced: “This intentionality of Jesus is our glimpse into the extraordinary heart of God for the nations. The Son of God stayed up all night to pray for the disciples, who would minister alongside him for three years. They would eventually become the first martyrs of the church, giving their lives so that others could know and follow him. The apostle Thomas (the one who is often labeled as “doubting”) would journey as far east as India, giving his life for the sake of the gospel mission to Asia. As Asian Americans, let’s not forget that our gospel roots go deep: they go all the way back to the mind and heart of Christ. While so many of our stories are filled with pain and struggle, isolation and shame, know that in Christ, all of our stories will find redemption and fulfillment.”
This is a very short but sweet read that gives some very important introductory language to the unique Asian American experience, and how the gospel ties into that. My favorite part was in the afterword where Jesus praying all night prior to selecting his disciples is referenced: “This intentionality of Jesus is our glimpse into the extraordinary heart of God for the nations. The Son of God stayed up all night to pray for the disciples, who would minister alongside him for three years. They would eventually become the first martyrs of the church, giving their lives so that others could know and follow him. The apostle Thomas (the one who is often labeled as “doubting”) would journey as far east as India, giving his life for the sake of the gospel mission to Asia. As Asian Americans, let’s not forget that our gospel roots go deep: they go all the way back to the mind and heart of Christ. While so many of our stories are filled with pain and struggle, isolation and shame, know that in Christ, all of our stories will find redemption and fulfillment.”
This is not just any collection of biblical devotionals. Each chapter is written to apply biblical principles with the embodied experiences that Asian American teenagers have. As I read these thoughtfully written devotionals, there were so many times when I felt like the authors were writing directly to me. They point to Jesus Christ as a Lord and savior who loves me and understands my lived experiences. The authors touched on particular aspects of the Asian American experience like immigration, race relations, marginalization, shame, adoption, the model minority, bicultural identity, and relationships between the generations. The author team is thoughtfully assembled with a mix of male and female, older and younger generations, and representing the different cultures of Asian Americans, including Chinese American, Japanese American, Korean American, Hmong American, Indian American. It's rare to find materials that are both biblically sound and contextualized particularly for the Asian American experience. This author team has accomplished that very well. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, especially to teens, parents, and youth leaders.
