Michelle Reyes (PhD) is the Co-Executive Director of Pax and the Vice President of the Asian American Christian Collaborative. She is also the Scholar-in-Residence at Hope Community Church, a minority-led multicultural church in East Austin, Texas, where her husband, Aaron, serves as lead pastor. Michelle's work on faith and culture has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, Faithfully Magazine and more. Her forthcoming book on cross-cultural relationships is called Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures (Zondervan; April 27, 2021). Follow Michelle on Twitter and Instagram.
Every Sunday after church growing up, the most frequently asked question I heard was, “How was the sermon?” Sometimes people expounded on a point they liked or something interesting they learned. The general response, however, was a simple “good” or “OK.”
Even as a child, that question and response post-service struck me as odd. People were not as interested in whether or not they were moved by a sermon or whether the words of Scripture had changed them in any personal way. Rather, their engagement with the teaching of God’s word was as a mere intellectual exercise and with the intent of forming a critique.
However, as I mentioned in my editorial note at the beginning of this StoryArc on Scripture, God has given us his word so that we may become more filled with the peace of Christ and live as Jesus did. We were created to taste and see that the God of the Bible is good. Everytime we come to the Bible, it should change us - how we think, how we feel, how we live out and see the world.
I want to pose a similar question for this Scripture StoryArc. Our hope isn’t simply for you to journey through this issue only to learn a few new interesting facts about the Bible. Rather, I want to know: How has your journey through God’s word via this StoryArc changed you? In what ways do you feel inspired? Convicted? Empowered?
Take some time to reflect on these questions. Journal about them or share your thoughts with a trusted friend. Come back to this Scripture StoryArc 6 months from now or a year from now, and consider again how God is molding and shaping you through his word.
Every Sunday after church growing up, the most frequently asked question I heard was, “How was the sermon?” Sometimes people expounded on a point they liked or something interesting they learned. The general response, however, was a simple “good” or “OK.”
Even as a child, that question and response post-service struck me as odd. People were not as interested in whether or not they were moved by a sermon or whether the words of Scripture had changed them in any personal way. Rather, their engagement with the teaching of God’s word was as a mere intellectual exercise and with the intent of forming a critique.
However, as I mentioned in my editorial note at the beginning of this StoryArc on Scripture, God has given us his word so that we may become more filled with the peace of Christ and live as Jesus did. We were created to taste and see that the God of the Bible is good. Everytime we come to the Bible, it should change us - how we think, how we feel, how we live out and see the world.
I want to pose a similar question for this Scripture StoryArc. Our hope isn’t simply for you to journey through this issue only to learn a few new interesting facts about the Bible. Rather, I want to know: How has your journey through God’s word via this StoryArc changed you? In what ways do you feel inspired? Convicted? Empowered?
Take some time to reflect on these questions. Journal about them or share your thoughts with a trusted friend. Come back to this Scripture StoryArc 6 months from now or a year from now, and consider again how God is molding and shaping you through his word.
Osheta Moore, PAX’s spiritual director, is a Black, Southern, everyday peacemaker. She serves as community life pastor at Roots Moravian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Osheta is the author of Shalom Sistas: Living Wholeheartedly in a Broken World, and Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace, on anti-racism peacemaking.
Jocelyn Chung is a lettering artist & graphic designer passionate about raising up the next generation of leaders of color who will live fully embodied and authentic faith in Jesus. The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants and based out of Southern California, Chung believes in empowering others, sharing stories to cultivate empathy, embracing the tension, and using her voice to be a truth-seeker and truth speaker. You can visit her shop to learn more about her prints and find her on Instagram @jocekittyllama.
Caleb is a second-year law student currently pursuing his J.D. at LMU Loyola Law School in downtown Los Angeles. He earned his B.A. in Politics while studying at Occidental College, where he experienced a newfound understanding of Jesus' heart for redemptive justice while working with the Child Protection Unit of the D.C. Attorney General, participating in grassroots activism for the unhoused community in Skid Row, and working at the Inner City Law Center. While a student at Occidental, Caleb participated in on-campus ministry with InterVarsity, where he assisted in ministering to student-athletes and leading students off-campus to serve unhoused neighbors in Skid Row. He ultimately hopes to use his legal education to encourage communities of lawyers and clients with the good news of Jesus Christ, the missional field he finds himself placed within.
Austin Lack is a writer, non-profit director, and professional pick-up soccer player. He spends his time walking the neighborhood with his wife Madison and researching the ever unfolding history of Los Angeles.
