Ho-Ming Tsui on How Ethnic Churches Evolve and Why the Gospel Must Be Central in Conversations on Justice & Mercy
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Ho-Ming Tsui of Richmond Hill Christian Community Church joins Jason for his second conversation on the podcast. Between this interview and the previous one with Ho-Ming, multiple anti-racism movements have arisen and resonated with millions across the globe. In particular, the Stop Asian Hate movement triggered by the Atlanta shootings in March, have acutely affected Ho-Ming and the Chinese community that he pastors.
Ho-Ming with great honesty processes the many tensions he felt as he considered how to thoughtfully respond to this movement. Thousands of pastors worldwide felt the pressure to release some sort of statement or response in the wake of the shootings. Ho-Ming shares how he wanted to provide more than a statement for his congregation, but a space for them to reflect, grieve and pray together. He describes the incredible fruit of that decision.
Ho-Ming lets listeners into his own experience with racism as a young boy, growing up in monolithic, rural Saskatchewan. With incredible nuance and gospel fluency, Ho-Ming explains how there is a place for both justice and mercy in the felt reality of racism in our nation.
“If your church is serious about multiculturalism, you’re going to have to sacrifice a lot to reach a new culture, including most of your own preferences, the way you communicate, and maybe the ‘cool-factor’”
With great conviction, he shares that the eradication of racism in the hearts of people won’t come from the outside-in, but only from inside-out as the gospel transforms hearts and renews minds.
The conversation closes with Ho-Ming and Jason discussing unity in the Canadian church, and how churches with different ethnicities, distinctives and cultures can work together to strengthen the Kingdom fabric of our nation. Canada needs more than unity expressed in a joined event, but pastors who will grow in friendship with one another, preferring and learning from those who are different than them.
As you continue to consider how to respond to these globally felt movements, the reality of racism in our nation, and the opportunity of deeper unity before you, we hope this conversation helps clarify your next steps.
Ho-Ming Tsui
Ho-Ming is the Lead Pastor of Richmond Hill Christian Community Church, a multi-generational, multi-lingual church just outside of Toronto. He completed his undergraduate degree at Queen’s University, and went onto graduate studies at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston. Ho-Ming speaks frequently at conferences in Toronto and has traveled to Asia, Europe and Africa to teach as well. He is an avid guitarist and loves all things sci-fi. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Katie, they have three children.
Coming Up Next
Episode 65: Aaron White
Aaron White is the National Director of 24-7 Prayer Canada. He has been a pastor, missioner, justice worker and prayer instigator in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver for the past 16 years, where he lives with his wife and four children in a community home. He is the co-author of Revolution and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Kingdom of God; co-creator of The Creative Way Down discipleship resource; and author of the upcoming book Recovering: From Brokenness and Addiction to Blessedness and Community.