What InterVarsity's Done in Columbia

Hello, friends!

There are so many different articles that have already been written about what has already gone down in Columbia that rehashing those events probably wouldn't actually be very helpful. What I want to do instead is focus on what we as an InterVarsity staff team have done this past week, to give you a little glimpse into our lives. Our staff team includes 3 paid staff, 1 intern, and a handful of some of the most caring and dedicated volunteers you will ever meet. It has always been an honor to work alongside these men and women but especially this past week.

Monday: Megan led a staff team meeting so our staff team (most of whom are ethnic minorities) could process together and pray about how we wanted to engage with the campus. By her account, it was a really humbling time as staff shared stories about their encounters with prejudice and racism in Columbia and as the team prayed about how to proceed well. Unfortunately, I wasn't there, but I'm so glad to have a great partner in life and in staff like Megan.

Tuesday: ACF and ICF held a joint meeting to process, pray, and visit the tent city that had been set up on campus to offer to pray for and process with the students who were staying there. (Note: This effort was short lived because the threats of violence against Black students happened Tuesday night and the tent city was cleared out for safety reasons). Ezra was sick so Megan stayed home but Matti, our ACF lead volunteer led the time.

Wednesday: Wednesday was a day... I have a special post about Wednesday all by itself.

Thursday: Columbia College students gathered to process what had been happening at Mizzou. Charis, the Columbia College staff is working with administrators to have a race dialogue on campus after the Thanksgiving Break. Also, at Mizzou, Meg led ACF and ICF students in an interactive display, giving Mizzou students an opportunity to process what they're feeling about what's been happening on campus.

In some ways, it doesn't feel like much. We've prayed for some folk, helped a few folk process, and bought a few meals. On the other hand, it's been such a blessing to see students be blessed. This is why we do the work that we do. These are hard weeks but these are also the weeks where we really get to see God move in powerful ways in us and through us. 

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

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Jesus and Activism...

Hello, friends!

The past week or so, I've heard a lot of people make the argument in terms of the protests that Jesus wouldn't do things this way. Jesus wouldn't protest because his kingdom was a kingdom of kindness and love, not a political kingdom.

While I agree that Jesus' kingdom is not one of political structures and is based on the love and goodness that God is, I have to disagree with the notion that Jesus is anti-protest. I actually see our God as a God of activism. Here are a few examples:

- In both Mark 11 and John 2, Jesus clears the temple, flipping tables and making a whip. His target were the money changers and their unjust practices of charging foreigners more than was fair.

- In Ezekiel 16:49-50, Ezekiel says that the sin of Sodom was that it was overfed with no concern for the poor and needy. Instead of flipping tables, God straight set the whole place on fire.

- One could make the same case about the flood (Genesis 6) and the Egyptians (starting in Exodus 5), that these were acts of God as a way of protesting the injustices done against his people.

- Many, if not all, of the prophets in the old testament talk about how our God desires justice and mercy and that his people should pursue the same.

- In Acts 6, the Hellenistic Jews protest their unfair treatment, leading to an entirely new system and new leadership in the distribution of resources.

Personally, I don't see any way that you could NOT see our God as a God of activism but that's just me. I have a bigger problem on my hands.

See, here's what I believe is missing from a lot of activism today. The activism of the Bible, real, godly activism, actually points people towards Christ. In the case of the prophets, the injustice they saw was an affront to God. Jesus called out injustice that took away from worship. Our God is a God of justice and when we fight for justice, we actually need to be pointing people towards God as well. This is an area that I think is actually easier said than done but I believe it is a cause worth pursuing.

Friends, I don't want to make this a political argument. You can believe one thing or you can believe another. You can protest or not. You can be an activist or fight for things as they are. My one prayer for you, as well as for me, is that whatever side you end up on, you are actually pointing people towards the real, radical, life changing, Jesus.

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

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Finding Your Niche in Activism...

Hello, friends!

I was talking to a coworker of mind the other day about what's been happening in Columbia and he asked me a question:

"If the Asian American Association (AAA) at Mizzou came up to you and asked you how they should engage in supporting the Black community, what would you tell them?"

My answer was simple: "Do what you have been created to do."

I think that one of the problems that Asian Americans have when it comes to activism is that we believe that activism looks a certain way and that we aren't made in that image. When we think of activism, we often think of yelling, holding signs, marching, and generally being on the front lines (Note: I would argue that most people think this way). The problem is that for many Asian Americans, this isn't us. We've been brought up with a high value for harmony so any disagreement is a bad disagreement. The idea of putting ourselves out there makes us more afraid than anything else.

So, what is an Asian American to do? Well, I say that we do what we've been created to do. While we may not be gifted in the traditional methods of activism, we still have a role to play if we want. You know what we do well? We do hospitality really well. I mean REALLY well. It's how God has made us and we can use that gift for the kingdom.

Let me give you an example. Students created a tent city on campus in an act of solidarity with Jonathan Butler, the student who was on a hunger strike. That is a pretty bold move on everyone's part. As Asian American may not feel like it is his or her place to insert themselves into the tent city. But you know what we CAN do well? We can bring blankets and hot chocolate. We can engage in conversation with those who are there. We can make sure that there is enough light so folk can study and that people have pillows. We can show off our gift of hospitality like the bosses we are.

How does that lead to activism? Well, I think it does a number of things. I think it shows the students who are on the front line that they are not alone. I believe it gives strength so that those students can go for a little longer and a little further. I think it is a comfort for people to know that someone is helping them carry the burdens of LIFE, as well as the cause. I think it builds relationship.

So, to my brothers and sisters who believe that there's something to be done but don't know what it is, I humbly suggest that you pray and ask God this question: What have you created me to do? From there, you may find the answers you seek.

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

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On Facebook...

Hello, friends!

Our pastor on Sunday gave a sermon about what's been happening in Columbia and how the church (both the local church and the Church) should respond. In one little spot he said that this sermon didn't fit into a 4 point sermon but if he had to try, he'd say that the 4 points were this:
- Seek empathy
- Be positive
- Engage in a conversation with someone who is different from you
- Get off Facebook

He was joking but I think I know where he was going with that last point. There have been a lot of conflicts that have happened only in cyberspace because of a Facebook post taken the wrong way. A lot of conflict could probably be avoided if we just all stayed away.

Here's the thing though. I believe that Facebook is a place where we can actually have an impact in a positive way if we do it well. I don't claim to be an expert in Facebook but I am someone who likes to fight, so in my vast experience of getting into conflict via Facebook, I've learned a thing or two.

So, without further ado: here's my guide to fighting well on Facebook:

1) DON'T THINK TOO HIGHLY OF YOURSELF. How Facebook conflicts usually happen is that someone sees something they don't agree with so they post a response to refute whatever was said. In some ways, that's exactly what Facebook was designed to do. The problem comes when people take  original posts as personal attacks. Here's the honest truth. Whoever posted that thing that you didn't like, probably didn't have you in mind when they posted it. You're almost certainly not that important. Remember that may stop you from getting into unnecessary fights with folk you met at that camp that one time.

2) COUNT THE RELATIONAL COST. This is related to the first point but let's say that someone posts something that deep hurts or offends you. You have a decision as to whether to engage in conversation or not. My rule of thumb is to think about what the relational cost is to NOT engage. If it's that dude I met at that camp one time and I'll never see them again, there's high cost to engage but low cost to not engage. I'm not going to engage. However, If it's someone who I talk to on a regular basis and have real relationship with, NOT engaging is very costly (in terms of awkwardness and broken trust). In that case, I should probably hop in.

3) 'TIS BETTER TO DEFEND THAN ATTACK. There are times when it is obvious that you need to comment because someone is saying something that is actually doing a lot of harm. However, usually posts go away unless someone responds, so attacking/responding actually gives more fuel to the fire. I'm a much bigger fan of letting attacks go but defending like crazy when someone comments on my stuff. Basically, I'm not going to go after you but if you come after me, get ready to rumble.

4) REMEMBER THAT TEXT BASED COMMUNICATION IS INCOMPLETE. It's hard but do your best to avoid reading too much into the tone or tenor or someone's comments. A lot of times, we read too much into things because we're emotionally charged. Usually, if they're actually a friend of yours (as opposed to the comment section of an online article where no one knows each other) they do not mean malicious intent.

5) SET THE EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. If you desire empathy, make sure your posts show empathy. If you desire kindness, show the same. If you are asking for logic or evidence, make sure you have your own stuff together. It's a great way to show the world that you're not a crazy person yelling at another crazy person.

6) TRY TO ENGAGE IN REAL LIFE. Seriously. I say offer to get coffee or something if it's possible to do so. It works on a number of levels. It shows a desire for community. It may deepen friendship. Sometimes it even gets the person to stop talking because they're afraid of face-to-face conflict. It really works pretty well. =0).

7) DON'T TRY TO SAVE THE WORLD. It's ok to disengage. It's ok to take a break. You're not a coward, a loser, or a weakling. You're probably just tired. Facebook, for all it's blessings, isn't quite real life. =0).

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

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Hard Conversations...

Hello, friends!

Friends, here's the deal: sometimes people disagree. Sometimes we have different opinions on things. Sometimes stuff is said and emotions get involved. When race, racism, privilege, and justice get involved, then things get even harder.

This past week has been a week of really hard conversations. There have been conversations with students who have been the victims of racism and who don't understand how anyone can deny its existence. There have been conversations with students who don't know what their role is supposed to be in all of this and are searching for guidance and answers. There have been conversations with member of the community who don't understand why there are protests and are mad at the protesters for messing up the status quo. All of these conversations have been hard and very draining, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically in some ways.

I'm not an expert on all things related to justice or protests. No one on our staff team is an expert. But we are people who love Jesus and believe that he has the answers that we need. Our job is to do our best to point people towards him and have faith that he will deliver in a really powerful way.

Thanks have calmed down here but that doesn't mean that the conversations are anywhere close to being over. Please pray for us as we engage in these conversations. Pray that we will represent Christ well and that through these conversations, others will see a little more of him too.

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

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When It Rains, It Pours...

Friends!

I'll start with a disclaimer. There is NEVER a good time to have racial tension on campus. In a redeemed world, we would all live in harmony and peace with one another. However, the truth is that we live in a broken world and every now and then, tensions boil over and stuff needs to be addressed. That's what's been happening in Columbia these past few weeks.

That being said, from the standpoint of the Leong house, the timing was especially bad. Here's what's been going on in our lives for the past few days.

Last Thursday: We drive to St. Louis so we can attend staff meetings Friday

Last Friday:
- Staff meetings in Southern Illinois
- We actually leave these meetings early because my older sister T and her family are going to be flying into Kansas City and driving to Columbia to visit us for the weekend
- When we get home, we see that our basement has flooded because the sump pump unhinged

Last Saturday: Good day with the family, including some quality time with my brother-in-law, tearing up carpet

Last Sunday: Another good day with the family. My aunt and her family come in from St. Louis so we could all do dinner together. Many photos are taken and laughs had. All the while, Meg and I are trying to stay fully present while still keeping up to date on what's happening on campus.

Last Monday: President Wolfe resigns, a rally is held, and I'm actually on my way to Memphis for a conference so I can't participate in what's happening. Added to that, Meg texts me and says that Ezra has pink eye to go along with a cold.

Tuesday: I'm still in Memphis, Ezra is still sick, the black students are threatened with violence, and the campus is in a state of min-panic.

Wednesday: Wednesday was a long day...

Thursday: After already having worked 40 hours in the past 3 days, I take the day to be with Ezra while Meg goes on campus to engage with students and help them process.

Friday: Friday a group of prospective staff come into town to learn more about InterVaristy and particularly Mizzou. As we prepare the house to host these folk, I realize that our sump pump has completely failed and I need to buy and reinstall a new one.

Saturday: Saturday is not only another day with prospective staff but also ICF's International Thanksgiving. Roughly 80 international students and community members came together for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Members of our church provided the food and taught a little bit about the history of Thanksgiving. It was a pretty spectacular time.

Sunday: Meg goes to the clinic and is diagnosed with strep throat.

So, that's been us. Even without everything going on at Mizzou, it would have been a crazy week. Even without everything going on at home, it would have been a crazy week. Thank God, he is our sustainer.

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

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How My Hat Cost InterVarsity $650...

Hello, friends!

I wrote in my post of the play-by-play for Wednesday that the students at the Black Culture Center (BCC) were being very vigilant and skeptical of non-Blacks wanting to enter the building. There had been threats of violence made against Black students so this made perfect sense to me. Still, knowing that I was one of the few campus ministers of color on Mizzou's campus, Meg and I agreed that it was worth it for me to try and be there for students.

When I walked up to the door, I was met with skeptical looks, which I was expecting. I introduced myself as "Pastor Adam" and said that I just wanted to check in and see if there was anything that I could do to help or support students. I also told them that I knew Ms. Velma, one of the head administrators for the BCC, and that the guards could get her and I'd be more than happy to talk to her first. I also offered to leave my bag outside the doors to be extra safe.

This seemed to build enough trust to get me in the building but I still needed permission to stay there. One of the students got Ms. Velma and I re-introduced myself.

"Hi, Ms. Velma, I'm Pastor Adam with InterVarsity Christian Fellowships."

"Hm, I don't know that I remember you."

"We've met a few times before. I'm just here seeing if there are ways that I can help."

"... You know what? We have met before. I recognize the hat. Come on in."

Apparently, I'm the campus missionary who wears a hat. =0).

My favorite part about this story is that it was something as simple as me wearing a hat that led to a whole host of other opportunities.

The hat got me permission to stay in the BCC
Permission to stay in the BCC got me access to students
Access to students allowed me ask them about their needs
Asking about their needs led to us buying a lot of food (about $650 for lunch and dinner)
Buying lots of food led to trust being built
Trust being built led to more opportunities for conversations and prayer with students

Friends, at this point, I should say a HUGE thank you to all of our ministry partners who partner with us financially. You are the ones who give us the resources to do things like this so we can bless students better and point them towards Jesus. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

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