Big Asian Energy Lessons on Courage from Creating the First Pan-Asian Church in America with Dr. Ken Fong
Dec 2, 2025
Dr. Ken Fong, a third-generation Chinese American pastor who founded one of the first Pan-Asian churches in the U.S., shares bold stories. He discusses breaking cultural gatekeeping, building redemptive multicultural communities, and the choice to create new leadership models rather than assimilate. He also talks about launching a long-running podcast to amplify Asian American voices.
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Mother's Message Built Courage To Choose Seminary
- Ken Fong describes his mother's relentless encouragement to be anything, even president, which shaped his ego strength and willingness to defy expectations.
- She supported his shift away from pre-med and told him to use his full potential, freeing him to pursue seminary despite family concerns.
Secret Patron Funded His Seminary Path
- Ken recounts telling his non-Christian father he felt called to seminary and refusing to let lack of parental blessing stop him.
- A Chinese-American pastor secretly paid his tuition, which taught Ken to pay it forward in ministry.
How He Built The First Pan-Asian Church
- Ken explains founding an English-first Pan-Asian church in 1978 by persuading a Japanese American congregation to intentionally welcome other Asian groups.
- He reframed identity from 'Chinese church' to a redemptive, emerging American family that could include non-Chinese members.