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New book addresses the struggles unique to the Asian American teen experience

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FROM NEW GROWTH PRESS

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 us know that Jesus makes a difference in our 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 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.

  • Edited by Kevin Yi with a foreword by Cameron Cole, this book is a part of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School series from Rooted Ministry.
  • Each chapter includes discussion questions and is suitable for devotional reading, Sunday school, youth group, and one-on-one discipleship.
  • For teenagers, their parents, pastors, and others who want to understand and apply the gospel to the Asian American youth experience.

Rooted Ministry’s mission is to equip and empower churches and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Rooted creates curriculum, podcasts, articles, books, and conferences to transform youth ministry so that every student receives grace-filled, gospel-centered, and Bible-saturated discipleship in the church and at home. Find out more at rootedministry.com.

Kevin Yi, MA,has pastored in the Asian American youth ministry church context for more than twenty years and currently serves college students and young adults. He served as a bi-vocational pastor for most of his career and has worked in the animation industry as an editor and producer for more than fifteen years. Kevin serves as the Video Producer at Rooted, helping to create content for the website and curriculum. He is the editor of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition. He is married to his incredible wife, Tracy, and they have three wonderful children.

The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School: Asian American Edition
by Rooted Ministry, edited by Kevin Yi
September 30, 2024 / Retail Price: $12.99
Print ISBN:978-1-64507-456-4
Young Adult Nonfiction / Religious / Christian / Inspirational
Read a Preview

For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com  


What Others Are Saying

“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

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