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This workshop by Lun Kham Pieper, titled “Immigration Pathways, Legal Literacy, and Refugee Resettlement," was recorded on August 8, 2026, as part of the Our Stories, Our Faith conference "Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges." More information about the conference can be found at https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/. 📄 Resources 📄 * Workshop slides: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Workshop-2-PPT-Immigration-Pathways-Legal-Literacy-and-Refugee-Resettlement-Resources.pdf * Know Your Rights: If ICE Visits Your Home: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/AILA-RESOURCE-Home_English.pdf * Sample Warrant for Arrest of Alien: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/I-200_SAMPLE.pdf * Know Your Rights: Avoid Immigration Fraud: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/KYR-Avoid-Immigration-Fraud-Nov.-2024-English.pdf * Self-Print Cards: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/red_card-self_srv-english.pdf Photo credit (thumbnail): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This Workshop, “Intergenerational Harmony, Youth Flourishing, and Creative Dialogue,” by Michele Turek and Justin Thang, was recorded on August 8, 2026, during the Our Stories, Our Faith conference, “Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges.”Rev. Michele Turek serves as the National Coordinator, Asian Ministries at the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. She is passionate about elevating Asian American voices, connecting people and resources, and fostering collaborative expressions of Christian community.Justin Thang is a refugee advocate, youth mentor, and founder of Hope for Tomorrow, a nonprofit serving Burmese and Chin refugees in Indianapolis through youth programs, mentorship, and community education.Learn more about the conference at ourstoriesourfaith.org YouTube Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome and Workshop Setup00:36 Density Tower Metaphor02:14 Justin’s Refugee Story04:24 Generations as Strangers05:52 Wisdom Both Ways08:10 Hope and Harmony Defined11:01 Michele on Asian Churches14:40 Ephesians and Breaking Walls16:53 Culture Maps and Responses22:10 Dialogue Principles and Prompts30:41 Closing Invitation to Share Photo credit (thumbnail): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This workshop by Tansy Kadoe, LMFT, titled “Coping When a Loved One Struggles with Addiction," was recorded on August 8, 2026, as part of the Our Stories, Our Faith conference "Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges." More information about the conference can be found at https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/. 📄 Burmese/English Bilingual Resources 📄Workshop slides: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Indianapolis_Coping-When-A-Loved-One-Struggles-with-Addiction-1.pdfWorkshop handout: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Indianapolis_Worksheet_Coping-When-A-Loved-One-Struggles-with-Addiction-1.pdf This workshop offers practical support for families and friends navigating the challenges of a loved one’s addiction. Participants will learn skills for setting healthy boundaries, communicating effectively, and caring for their own wellbeing while supporting someone in recovery. Tansy Kadoe, LMFT was born and raised in Burma and immigrated to the United States in 1993, following the pro-democracy uprisings of 1988 that disrupted education and intensified civil conflict. She belongs to the Karen ethnic group, one of the largest minority communities in Burma, and remains deeply connected to her people through church, counseling, and storytelling ministries. She and her husband were part of the group that started the Arizona Karen Baptist Church, which now has more than 400 members. Beyond her local community, she has worked closely with the network of 133 Karen Baptist churches across the United States. Professionally, Tansy initially trained in business, earning an undergraduate degree in finance and economics and an MBA in business leadership. At age forty, motivated by the suffering and needs of resettled Burmese refugees, she pursued a second career in counseling. She earned her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2016 and has practiced as a licensed therapist in Phoenix since then. She is now pursuing a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller, focusing on developing models of lay counseling and peer counseling within ethnic churches. Photo credit (thumbnail & slide): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This plenary, “Refugee Resettlement: History and Laws Our Community Needs to Know,” by Lun Kham Pieper, was recorded on August 8, 2026, during the Our Stories, Our Faith conference, “Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges.”Lun Kham Pieper is an Indiana attorney, mediator, and founder of the Law Office of Lun Kham Pieper, LLC.Learn more about the conference at ourstoriesourfaith.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This session, recorded on August 7, 2026, was part of the Our Stories, Our Faith conference "Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges." This lament, prayer, and worship service features Rev. Dr. Joe Cheah, Rev. Dr. Timothy Tseng, Pastor Joseph Liana, worship leader Biak Chin Tial, Dr. David Thang Moe, CIin Kham, LMFTA, Theodora Eddison, and Van Kio, co-chair of the Burma Advocacy Group. More information about the conference can be found at https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/. Photo credit (thumbnail): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This panel session featuring Burma Christian diaspora oral history fellows Bawi Tin Par, Van Sui, Ma May Si, and Ciin Kham was recorded on August 7, 2026, as part of the Our Stories, Our Faith conference "Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges." More information about the conference can be found at https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/. Meet the Oral History Fellows Bawitin Par currently works as a home-based case manager, supporting individuals and families through compassionate care and advocacy. She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Biblical Counseling and Clinical Counseling in Mental Health, integrating faith-based principles with professional counseling practices. In addition to academic and professional responsibilities, Bawitin serves as a Ministry Assistant for the High School Ministry, where she is passionate about mentoring and encouraging young people in their spiritual growth. Through her work, studies, and ministry involvement, she is committed to serving others with empathy, integrity, and Christ-centered guidance. Ciin Kham is a Licensed Minister and LMFTA (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate) serving the southside community of Indianapolis. With a deep passion for supporting the Burmese diaspora facing mental health challenges, Ciin offers holistic care that integrates clinical expertise with faith-based counseling. Their work fosters emotional healing and spiritual growth through culturally sensitive support, practical teaching, and accessible resources. Rooted in compassion, clarity, and hope, Ciin equips individuals and communities to thrive in both faith and life. Ma May Si, also known as Maysi, is a passionate Matu Chin leader in the community. She obtained her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Missouri-Columbia, with an emphasis in Promotion and Policy, and recently moved to Indiana to reunite with family and to better serve the Burmese community. Maysi currently serves as the Vice President for the Matu Affairs Organization USA, volunteers at the Chin Center, and is a youth leader at her church in Indianapolis. Through the OSOF Fellows Program, she hopes to amplify the stories of the Burmese Christian diaspora and highlight the profound role God has played in the lives of community members. Van Sui is the founder of JeSui Strategies, a Kingdom-focused public affairs, political, and government affairs consulting firm. She is a civic leader who demonstrates leadership through government and community services. Van has participated in competitive leadership programs such as the Global Young Diplomats Forum, Global Leadership Series, and National Leadership Academy of Congressional Studies in Washington, D.C. She earned a master’s in leadership and public service (LPS) and a bachelor’s in political science, philosophy, and economics (PPE), both from private Christian universities. As a pastor’s kid, Van grew up in a church-centered environment in Burma/Myanmar. She came to the U.S. in 2013 and has called Indiana home since then. Photo credit (thumbnail): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This plenary by Rev. Dr. Hrang Hlei, titled “From Displacement to Diaspora: Resettlement History of the Myanmar Diaspora in the United States," was recorded on August 7, 2026, as part of the Our Stories, Our Faith conference "Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges." More information about the conference can be found at https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/. Download Rev. Dr. Hrang's presentation slides here: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Social-History-of-Myanmar-Diaspora-.pptx.pdf. “The history of the Myanmar diaspora in the United States is not one single story. It is a story of many people: Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Mon, Rohingya, and others. Many came not simply as immigrants seeking opportunity, but as refugees fleeing dictatorship, civil war, ethnic persecution, religious discrimination, poverty, and displacement. Their story is a story of struggles, hardships, challenges, and resilience. Their story reminds us that being a refugee is not only about finding a new country. It is about rebuilding human dignity, preserving memory, forming faith, and preparing the next generation.” Rev. Hrang Hlei, PhD came to the US in 2006 as a seminary student, and currently serves as the Congregational Care Pastor at Indiana Chin Baptist Church, Indiana. He was recently elected the new General Secretary for Chin Baptist Churches, USA, which connects over a hundred local congregations across the country. He did his doctoral research among the Chin immigrant churches and published it as The Formation of Chin Immigrant Congregations in the United States: Discovering Their Ecclesiological Identities. Rev. Hlei is passionate about helping and nurturing immigrant churches in God’s calling to preach the gospel and make disciples here in the US and beyond. He is an ordained minister of American Baptist Churches, USA, and in his free time he enjoys watching historical documentary movies. Photo credit (thumbnail): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This plenary by Dr. Pum Za Mang, titled “Scripture and the Scattered Church: Biblical Theology of Migration and God’s Faithfulness," was recorded on August 7, 2026, as part of the Our Stories, Our Faith conference "Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges." More information about the conference can be found at https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/. Download Dr. Pum Za Mang's manuscript here: https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Pum-Za-Mang-Manuscript-Scripture-and-the-Scattered-Church_-A-Biblical-Theology-of-Migration-and-Gods-Faithfulness-.docx.pdf. "When Burmese Christian immigrants left Burma, India, Malaysia, and Thailand for the United States, they brought with them nothing but their own bodies and the clothes on their backs. Upon arrival in the United States, they have built their new lives: they founded churches, communities, businesses, and more. Their story of notable transformation has been a testament to the abiding love, amazing grace, and enduring faithfulness of God." Pum Za Mang, educated at Luther Seminary (Ph.D.) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M.A), is associate professor of world Christianity at Myanmar Institute of Theology. He is presently a visiting scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ.His writings have appeared in Asia Journal of Theology, Christianity Today, Church History, Journal of Church and State, Church History and Religious Culture, International Review of Mission, International Bulletin of Mission Research, International Journal of Public Theology, Studies in World Christianity, The Review of Faith & International Affairs, and Theology Today, among other journals. Photo credit (thumbnail): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

In this presentation, Dr. David Chao, Director of the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary, explores the relationship between Christian doctrine, culture, ethnicity, and race. Dr. Chao holds a PhD and ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary, an MDiv from Regent College, and a BA from Yale University. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This session was recorded on August 7, 2026, as the opening session of the Our Stories, Our Faith conference "Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges." More information about the conference can be found at https://ourstoriesourfaith.org/. 00:00 Welcome and Prayer: Rev. Michele Turek (ABHMS)01:29 Conference Welcome: Naw Eh Phaw15:19 Sponsor Greetings: David Chao (CAAC), Tommy Dyo (Epic Movement), Michele Turek (ABHMS), and Tim Tseng (AACHI)22:24 Burma Diaspora Leaders Welcome: Ci Lian Kap (CBANA), Hrang Hlei (CBCUSA), Lian Hang Do (First Zo Baptist Church in GA), Joseph Liana (Mizo Christian Church)33:21 Psalm 77 Devotion: Rev. Michele Turek42:08 Conference Vision and Themes: David Chao56:55 Closing Prayer The Our Stories, Our Faith conference series is produced by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary, the Asian American Christian History Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary, the Asian Ministries of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and Epic Movement, a ministry of Cru. 🔗 Links * Falam Baptist Church of Indiana: https://fbciusa.org/ * Chin Baptist Association of North America (CBANA): https://www.cbana.us/ * Chin Baptist Churches USA (CBCUSA): https://cbcusa.org/ * Center for Asian American Christianity (CAAC): https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/ * Imagine Otherwise by CAAC: * Epic Movement, a ministry of Cru: https://epicmovement.com/ * American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS): https://abhms.org/ * ABHMS Scholarships & Grants: https://abhms.org/empowering-leaders/scholarships-grants * Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI): https://aac.fuller.edu/initiatives/asian-american-christian-history-institute/ * Pearl Dive by AACHI: https://pearldive.net/ * Burma Diaspora Christianity Project: https://fulleraachi.substack.com/t/burmese-american Photo credit (thumbnail): Jacob Him, Svolta Film This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

In this Center for Asian American Christianity podcast episode, host David Chao interviews Dr. Jean Neely, a Korean American literature professor with a PhD in English literature and author of Christ in the Abyss: Cultivating Deep Faith Amid Depression and Despair (NavPress, June 2026). Neely recounts growing up in a Korean American church as a pastor’s daughter, experiencing severe depression and manic episodes in high school that led to crisis, hospitalization, and medication, and wrestling with Christian messages that “good Christians” shouldn’t struggle. She explains how supportive family, community, contemplative practices, spiritual direction, and reading beyond her tradition helped her move toward a more merciful understanding of God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This expert panel and closing remarks were recorded on April 11, 2026, as part of the 2026 conference “Our Flourishing, Our Faith: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Asian American Christian Communities,” presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. The panel, titled “Panel: Spiritual Formation,” featured reflections from Dave Wang, Thomas Okamoto, and Ciin Kham.This video also includes the conference closing remarks from David Chao and Carissa Dwiwardani. You can learn more about this conference here: https://ourflourishing.org/.Building on the conference’s plenary sessions and workshops, this closing panel asks how practices of repair can become more than isolated moments or helpful tools. Together, the panelists reflect on how repair can become a long-term pattern of spiritual formation—taking root in families, churches, ministries, and communities over time. The conversation explores self-awareness, intergenerational trauma, emotional regulation, psychiatric care, small-group practices, church leadership, gender roles, the role of fathers and mothers in congregational life, and the need for Asian American Christian communities to create spaces where pain can be named with honesty and held with care. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This workshop by Eunhyey Lok, LMFT, titled “Unresolved Ruptures: Find Healing When Repair is Not Possible,” was recorded on April 11, 2026. The presentation was part of the 2026 conference “Our Flourishing, Our Faith: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Asian American Christian Communities,” presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. You can learn more about this conference here: https://ourflourishing.org/. What do we do when the ruptures we face have no easy resolution? At both the individual and collective levels, many Asian Americans suffer from deep relational wounds that cannot be repaired because the other party is gone or because interactions with them harm us. When that happens, we are left with emotional hurricanes that disrupt our sense of normalcy and safety, as well as our ability to connect to God, ourselves and those with whom we desire to continue relationship. In our time together, we will seek healing by applying frameworks that help us make meaning of what we are experiencing, learning to be present to our emotions in God’s presence, and exploring practices that facilitate healing in the absence of the other party. This workshop will involve optional opportunities for group participation with guidelines for creating safety as we share and listen to one another. Bringing a journal or writing surface is recommended. Eunhyey Lok is a licensed marriage and family therapist, ordained pastor and spiritual director. She has been privileged to work in both therapy and spiritual direction with couples and individuals, particularly leaders in Christian ministry as well as cross-cultural and international NGO workers for 15 years. She provides a space to heal, recover and breathe for those experiencing burnout as they care for others. Eunhyey received her MS MFT from Fuller Seminary. Formerly, she served as Director of Outreach and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at the now closed Asian American Christian Counseling Service. Before that, she worked as the Mobilization Director for Reah International and worked closely with field workers based in North Korea and NE China. You can learn more about her work in therapy at eunhyeylok.com and about giving spiritual direction at direction.eunhyeylok.com. 00:00 Workshop Introduction01:28 Framing Unresolved Ruptures02:55 Word Cloud Check In03:47 Trauma Context and Care Gaps07:23 Body First Healing08:18 Nervous System Basics12:26 Personal Rupture Stories15:57 Three Movement Practice19:12 Guided SIIFT Exercise27:11 Sharing and Holding Space28:54 Wrestling With the Why34:44 When Repair Is Not Wise37:31 Holy Week Addendum39:08 Closing Blessing Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This workshop by Rev. Alex Chang, titled “Church Culture and Mental Health: Building Congregations That Support Well-Being,” was recorded on April 11, 2026. The presentation was part of the 2026 conference “Our Flourishing, Our Faith: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Asian American Christian Communities,” presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. You can learn more about this conference here: https://ourflourishing.org/Church culture is shaped not only by sermons, programs, and mission statements, but by the shared behaviors, leadership practices, informal norms, and spiritual patterns that leaders model over time. In this workshop, Rev. Alex Chang invites pastors, elders, board members, staff, and volunteers to move beyond church growth as the primary measure of success and toward congregational health, healing, and restoration. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com

This workshop by Tansy Kadoe, LMFT, titled “Healing the Asian American Family: Practices for Repairing Generational Rupture with Honor,” was recorded on April 11, 2026. The presentation was part of the 2026 conference “Our Flourishing, Our Faith: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Asian American Christian Communities,” presented by the Center for Asian American Christianity at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. You can learn more about this conference here: https://ourflourishing.org/. "Generational rupture often begins with disconnection from self, others, and the stories shaped by survival, sacrifice, and systemic forces. This workshop invites participants to practice honor by reconnecting to their God-given worth (Self), relating with courage and grace (Other), and sharing vulnerable family stories (Context). Together, we explore how honoring self, others, and context opens pathways for repair so families may stand seen, known, and honored in God’s presence and in one another."Tansy Kadoe, LAMFT was born and raised in Burma and immigrated to the United States in 1993, following the pro-democracy uprisings of 1988 that disrupted education and intensified civil conflict. She belongs to the Karen ethnic group, one of the largest minority communities in Burma, and remains deeply connected to her people through church, counseling, and storytelling ministries. She and her husband were part of the group that started the Arizona Karen Baptist Church, which now has more than 400 members. Beyond her local community, she has worked closely with the network of 133 Karen Baptist churches across the United States.Professionally, Tansy initially trained in business, earning an undergraduate degree in finance and economics and an MBA in business leadership. At age forty, motivated by the suffering and needs of resettled Burmese refugees, she pursued a second career in counseling. She earned her Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2016 and has practiced as a licensed therapist in Phoenix since then. She is now pursuing a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller, focusing on developing models of lay counseling and peer counseling within ethnic churches. Time Stamps00:00 Introduction01:55 Welcome and Purpose02:59 Tansy's Story and Example of Rupture06:31 Definition of Family Rupture07:14 Congruence and Honoring Self, Others, and Context10:31 Systemic Forces on Self13:54 Family Messages Collide19:01 Repair Framework H.O.N.O.R.19:54 Heart Awareness Scenario23:47 Observe Patterns and Stances25:09 Name Cultural Forces28:19 Open Bridge to Self33:40 Bridge to Others35:36 Bridge to Context39:04 Rest and Closing Meditation Photo by Erika Giraud on Unsplash This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit caacptsem.substack.com