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Dear <<First Name>>!

How I can be praying for you during this season? (Note the clickable links like this one scattered throughout the letter)

I have been reflecting about Easter’s impact on the death of two significant brothers in my life, and celebrating how God’s resurrection power has brought these two very different brothers into Jesus’ presence. 

Pastor Pak-Fai Chan was the first brother who passed. 20 years ago, he was my senior pastor, my boss, and a father figure to me and many others in the Chinese church community.  My favorite memories include hearing his baritone voice whenever we sang hymns, our times of praying together, and baptizing people as pictured here.  Pastor Chan was among a wave of 1st generation Chinese pastors from Hong Kong who began pastoring Chinese churches in the U.S. He planted the Evangelical Free Church in Walnut, CA to help reach the large wave of Asians moving into the area. Under Pastor Chan, my heart grew for the people in the intergenerational, intercultural, immigrant Chinese church. 

Robb Martine was the second brother who recently passed.  Pictured here is his baptism. Robb hailed from San Francisco’s underground, after-dark club scene and was considered San Francisco’s nightlife King. Club regulars dubbed him “Lord” Martine. He was editor-in-chief for Northern California’s largest gay publication and a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner covering the social scene. Initially apprehensive of our bible study group, Robb came to experience God’s love through our consistent, caring hospitality, eventually embracing the true Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  NKJV Lk 23:42–43

 

Pastor Chan served faithfully for generations; Robb came to Christ barely two years ago. Yet thanks to the resurrection, both these brothers are experiencing the joy of being with Jesus and the saints for eternity. What happiness awaits us!

I wrote an expanded version of these words on Robb's facebook memorial (he has 4600+ friends on his Facebook page) to share the joy of his baptism to friends who only knew Robb for his nightlife days. Assuming you're not Robb's Facebook friend, I posted what I wrote to his audience here. 

Let’s not wait until loved ones pass into eternity before creating these relational spaces of lovingkindness here on earth, places where people like Pastor Chan and Robb can share in the joy of fellowship in this life. Like Jesus in Samaria, that will be a powerful witness.  And that’s why I planted Kingdom Rice – that more Christians are able to grow these kinds of relational spaces by learning to better embody the humility and vulnerability of Christ among people in different, unexpected circles. 

“Steve taught our disciples how an 'honor-shame' biblical lens opens up beautiful new views of God’s Kingdom. My students learned to step into another culture and what Christ would want to do in the lives of those we would be sharing with.” Kassi Palmer, Discipleship Training School Staff, Youth With a Mission (YWAM, pictured here)
 

An honor-shame biblical lens is not just for Asians because "we now know that “face” is not something that Asian cultures do, but rather is something that human cultures do. Cultures simply do “face” differently. But all do face.

An Invitation for You!
How do you do "face" and how does that affect your story, testimony, relationship with God and others? Drawing from the curriculum I use for missionary organizations, I am launching interactive 30 minute small on-line group conversations to dig into these questions so you can apply them to your lifeIf you're interested, let me know here. 

Thank you for your partnership! This Easter season as we rejoice how Jesus defeated shame and restored face for you and me, we're equipping others to experience this same power, the power that gives me the hope that Robb and Pastor Chan are with Jesus right now.

Love, Steve

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