Suffice to say, intentionality matters. Showing up with a posture of curiosity matters. Showing up in inclusive ways to represent the kingdom of God matters. So as we move into this next chapter of Vineyard Columbus, let us continue to be people who practice the hospitality and the love of Jesus by being winsome, curious, and intentionally inclusive.
AAPI Month celebrates the vast array of cultures and people groups in Asian and the Pacific Islands. Those of us who are Americans with Asian ancestry bring rich cultural experience, thousands of languages, and some of the world’s top cuisines into the American melting pot. But when we think about AAPI Month, we don’t often consider the South Asian experience. It makes sense, unfortunately; South Asian immigration was banned until my parents’ generation was in their teens. We may remember that they’re here when we visit our Indian American doctor, or when we drive past the parking lot of a tech company, but South Asian Americans’ presence here is largely forgotten.
As I share a bit of my own experience as a South Asian American, remember that it is just one of many, and it is vastly different from others. But as we begin our journey of becoming winsome, and as we develop curiosity for one another’s stories, we will see our worldview begin to grow and therefore our understanding of God.
If there is one thing I know about the Asian American experience, it’s that each story is a unique experience in itself. South Asian Americans you’ll meet here can be immigrants, first generation, or their families have been here since the 1800’s. Some are even biracial. Even within Sri Lanka, where my parents are from, there are five languages, four major world religions, and half a dozen different people groups on an island barely the size of West Virginia.
Though we are diverse, the stories of many South Asians you meet have similar beginnings. Like I mentioned earlier, South Asian immigration was banned until 1965. When immigration did become legal, the first South Asians to immigrate were required to have advanced degrees and professional skills; only doctors, engineers, lawyers, and a few other highly skilled professions were allowed to come. That’s why many people associate South Asians with these professions. The effects of that policy was that only the most privileged of South Asia were able to move to the United States. My parents came at the tail end of this wave in the 1980’s, just as immigration was starting to open up to other professions.
This is where my story echoes many others. I grew up in suburban Ohio, attended a small international private school and went to a nice church close by. It was exactly what you imagine when you think of church in the 90’s; packed Vacation Bible School sessions every summer, carnivals to raise money for the missions trips to Venezuela, and lots of pseudo-rock worship songs. It’s not necessarily a place you’d go if you were looking for diversity. My parents did what they could to surround me with people similar to us, but despite their best efforts, I still felt alone. Even at such a nice church. Like many of my third culture friends (people who grow up in a different culture from their family’s), being first generation meant no matter where you were, you felt like you never quite fit in anywhere. You don’t really fit in with your family because you grew up in different times and a different culture, but you also don’t really fit in with your friends because they don’t understand your home culture.
Because of this, I resigned early on that I just would not fit in. Not just at the places I went and things I did, but also in the kingdom of God
Around the time I was in middle school, my parents decided to move us from our predominantly white church to Vineyard Columbus. I remember it vividly. In one of the first services I attended, the senior pastor at the time, Rich Nathan, shared a vision God had given him. “Vineyard Columbus, just like the kingdom of God, will be a multi ethnic community.” He went on to elaborate on that picture, quoting Revelation and reminding the church that God’s kingdom is a beautiful one comprised of all “tribes, nations, and languages”. That was one of the first times I had ever felt intentionally included in the kingdom of God.
I don’t share this story with you to gloat about how wonderful Vineyard Columbus is, though I am so grateful for the words of life this church has spoken to me over the past 20 years. No - I’m sharing this with you because I want to remind you of the important work Jesus calls us to. The hard work of being people, who by their actions and words, remind us that all people are created in the image of God.
That means we need to be people who show up in the spaces God has called us to be and make room for the diversity of God’s people in those spaces. It’s certainly not easy, but I’ve always been grateful to be welcomed at Vineyard Columbus with a seat at the table to ask difficult questions.
About 10 years ago, I attended a congregational meeting where they were going through church attendance, and diversity in attendance was mentioned briefly. The pastor asked for questions at the end, so I stood up and asked, “Why doesn’t your staff represent the diversity of the church body?” He said, “We’re not there yet. But we are intentionally working on it.” I felt a bit fired up, thinking that he likely said that just to placate me. But a few years down the road, here I am on staff as a pastor - true to its word, the church wants to include diverse voices in leadership, just as the Lord intended.
Suffice to say, intentionality matters. Showing up with a posture of curiosity matters. Showing up in inclusive ways to represent the kingdom of God matters. So as we move into this next chapter of Vineyard Columbus, let us continue to be people who practice the hospitality and the love of Jesus by being winsome, curious, and intentionally inclusive.