Third Year Anniversary: Reflection
Full of wonderful, inspiring people
Reader, I got married. Which might help to explain the lack of posts since July, what with life, work, etc. But the decolonising must go on, and indeed, I even read Harvey Kwiyani’s new and brilliant book, Decolonizing Mission, on my honeymoon (I don’t know what that says about me). And despite my brief hiatus, I’m grateful for an increase in subscribers, particularly through generous recommendations by other Substackers, such as Jonathan Ogden, whose music has been a constant source of peace, and Harvey who continues to send people my way.
This year’s posts, though fewer in number, saw the highest engagement and readership. My top posts this year ended up becoming some of my most popular posts ever, including how I embraced my Chinese heritage and how I became a reverse missionary.1 In the past three years, I’ve published 41 posts and have accumulated 47,000+ views. I also have 880 subscribers from 77 countries and 36 US states. I don’t take anyone of you for granted, so thank you.
Two fun discoveries:
One of my Substack posts is suggested further reading on an Applied Psychology course for a Master’s degree in Counselling:
My dissertation received a shoutout in a ‘South-East Asian & Diaspora Theologies’ lecture on the Theologies of the Majority World module at Cranmer Hall:
How cool is that.
I also unexpectedly received in the post a complimentary copy of a booklet, Sharing Your Faith with Your Japanese Neighbour. I was asked to share about it in my ‘sphere of influence’, which I did on Instagram, and lo and behold, it ended up being timely for a friend in Oxford who’d just befriended their Japanese neighbour. (That’s the closest I’ll ever get to being an influencer.)
Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
2 John 12 (NRSVA)
Last year, I talked about increasing connections and engagement with people beyond the page; I’m delighted that that’s continued into this third year. (John was onto something when he talked about the joy and preference of meeting face to face.)
I attended the book launches of Harvey Kwiyani’s Decolonizing Mission, as well as Chinese Heritage in British Christianity where I got to celebrate with editor Alexander Chow and the authors. It’s always a thrill to be amongst so many people – old and new friends alike – equally passionate about the diversity of the British church.
It was actually at the Chinese Heritage book launch that I finally got to meet Harvey Kwiyani and Mark Nam in the flesh, both of whom I’d initially connected with online, and both of whom I’ve looked up to as pioneers and a real inspiration:
Mark especially has been someone in whose footsteps I’ve followed as a fellow East Asian theologian in the UK. He wrote his dissertation a year before mine, similarly on what the western church can learn from East Asian theologies – though his was pertaining to contextualising the gospel, whereas mine had to do with the spirit world – and I was spurred on knowing I wasn’t the only one trying to push in this direction. (His dissertation was also given a shoutout in the same Cranmer Hall lecture above.)
I’ve also been greatly inspired by his advocacy. He recently won the National Diversity Award 2025 for ‘Positive Role Model for Race, Religion & Faith’, and his latest initiative is to create a permanent memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral for the forgotten Chinese Labour Corps:
Yet both Mark and Harvey have been so humble. Mark called me after reading my post on worship to get my input on several songs he’d written (and has since shared online), and Harvey has always treated me as a fellow companion on this decolonising journey. I’m grateful to them for paving the way for people like myself; I can only hope I do the same for others.
More special run-ins: I got to meet Renie Chow Choy in person and express my effusive thanks for the pivotal role her work, particularly Ancestral Feeling, has played in my life. It’s been fun stumbling across her public contributions around London, such as the following installation at St Paul’s Cathedral:
I also got to meet Amy Tan after having followed her on social media for a few years. She’s one of the first Chinese-Malaysian women to be ordained in the Church of England, and is a passionate advocate for racial justice. Here’s Amy sharing about celebrating diversity in the church:
I also couldn’t quite believe it when my weeklong trip to Singapore for extended wedding celebrations coincided with Amos Yong giving a lecture on Asian Pentecostalisms at NUS! Amos was the first Asian theologian I ever encountered eight years ago, and he is to this day one of the most brilliant and influential theologians in my life. It was such an honour to get to meet and express my gratitude to him. Coincidentally – or providentially?! – I’d just so happened to have brought one of his books with me for leisure reading. I managed to snag a cheeky selfie and get my book signed.
Another legend: Kwok 'n' Roll (Kwok Pui Lan) – of all people! – commented on my most recent Substack post. It’s hard to overstate just how significant a contribution she’s made with her pioneering work in Asian feminist and postcolonial theologies.
Ultimately, the friends I’ve made along the way have kept me grounded and plodding on day by day. Whether it’s catching up over tea with Anna Tran, or a burger with Naomi Wang, or a pint with Wien Fung, it’s such a joy to sit down, take a breather and share life; to share wisdom gleaned from trials, and to testify to God’s grace and love that’s seen us through it all. We may all be at different stages, but I’m so encouraged by my fellow pilgrims as we continue on our journeys of discovery, healing and reclamation.
I want to be real though; it’s not all fun and games. I attended a diversity network gathering, and I was disheartened by the ignorance of East Asian cultures and peoples demonstrated by other members of the group. What was meant to be a safe and informed intercultural space ended up being a place where myself and others were further marginalised. It highlighted just how much work we all still have to do.
On the flip side, it reaffirmed the reason why I write this Substack. Even if it means just one more person has greater awareness and compassion for people from East Asian backgrounds, then it’s worth it. So I will keep writing, and working, for the glory of God and the good of God’s people.
I reiterate what I said last year: I’ve kept paid subscriptions on though it’s not my primary purpose – it won’t change the accessibility – but it’s another way of feeling affirmed. Special thanks to my paid subscribers, for your generosity and vote of confidence. If you do want to support my writing but a paid subscription is too much of a commitment, you can buy me a £5 coffee via ko-fi.
What to look forward to next year? Well, more reflections and (hopefully) insights. I’ve got one more post to publish before the end of 2025, so stay tuned. Thank you for reading, thank you for supporting. All my love and blessings.
I was also featured on other platforms and publications. I was interviewed in several podcasts, including ACross Culture and Round Trip Stories. My Racial Justice Sunday reflection was part of resources for churches across the UK. And I wrote a guest article on decolonising worship for Just Love, a Christian social justice movement.
Truly so encouraged by this substack. Looking forward to following along in 2026.
Congrats on the marriage and I am very interested in Decolonizing Mission. Great update.