The Messy Middle with Noah Mata

"There ain't nothing tender about the Tenderloin." - Dave Chappelle
This week; we're switching coasts back to the Bay Area to hear from a new hero of mine and another mixed race (Chinese-French American), Christian Huang. I first heard of Christian when I was visiting family in San Francisco, and he happened to be preaching a message that had me both rolling on the floor laughing (in my heart and mind) and reconsidering the way I view "the Gospel Mission".

As mentioned earlier, and as you'll hear more, Christian and his family have entrenched themselves in the needs of the city of San Francisco. They have taken the time to get to know the heartbeats of those often looked over, marginalized not only by circumstance but by disregarding action...the "rough parts" of the city. I hope you find equal inspiration and heart-softening as you hear some of the thoughts from my friend, Christian.
Resources:

• Mobilize Love
  • IG: @mobilizelove
• CityTeam
  • IG: @cityteam
• The Asian Turn in Mixed Race Studies: Retrospects and Prospects | Dr. Emma J. Teng

The Anecdotes of Asian America continues...
AAPI hate crimes are increasing at an alarming rate in our nation, but it is not the first time in our storied history that this has happened.
We survey the story of Chance Anies, owner of Tabachoy Philly, a Filipino Food Cart in Philadelphia seeking to bring the nostalgia of home-cooked, no flash, no frills, Filipino cooking with a new lens and life.
Chance and I talk through his experience in being a "mestizo" (half-white, half-pinoy), how the food industry can teach us a heap about community, and the upward call to being examples to our environments no matter what our occupation.
Resources:

• http://tabachoyphilly.com
  • For schedules and merchandise!
• IG: @tabachoyphilly

This week we commence Chapter 2, The Anecdotes of Asian America.
AAPI hate crimes are increasing at an alarming rate in our nation, but it is not the first time in our storied history that this has happened. We discuss the Exclusion Act, Code-Switching, and Jesus' words to make sense of this painful reality for so many of our brothers and sisters.
Rachel Gonzalez joins us as a lionheart in the conversation of race and justice, and ways the Church can model being "the only place to have safe, solution-oriented, Spirit-led, dialogue that leads to healing".

Resources:

• Chef's Stopping AAPI Hate
  • IG: @chefsstoppingaapihate
• Rachel's Resources
  • Personal IG: @rach_gonzz
  • Lifeline LA: @lifeline.la

We conclude our conversation on the Art of Advocacy with Will Archer, Lead Pastor of the Potomac Valley Church in Virginia, and a trusted, dear friend.
Will's journey in being a follower of Jesus, voice for justice and a spiritual perspective on our response to the vicious cycle of injustice around us, is nothing short of fascinating.
One conclusion we make in considering advocacy through it all? Well, we always advocate for those we love.
This episode is dedicated to the family and friends of Mike Mines; a 21-year old young man who was gunned down in Philadelphia in April. He was also one of my students when I served as a Youth Pastor in Philadelphia. Please see the following links if you would like to support the Mines' and Butts' family below.

• Support Mike Mines' Family
• Will Archer's "Greater Everyday Podcast"

We continue our conversation on the Art of Advocacy with my good friend, Christian Dawson.
Christian serves as a Pastor for Bridgetown Church in Portland.
This conversation is heavily influenced from one quote from Miroslav Volf who sticks a convictional dagger into our sides, "Forgiveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans even as I exclude myself from the community of sinners."
Advocacy finds it's foundation in the most unlikely of friendships.
Resources:
Christian Dawson: @christiandawson
Bridgetown Church: @brdgtwnchrch
Website: http://linktr.ee/noahmata
Instagram: @factofthemata
Comments/Inquiries: [email protected]