A historic gathering for Asian American Christian mental health

On Friday & Saturday,April 10th and 11th, we experienced a historic gathering of presentations and conversations at this Asian American Christian mental health conference » “Our Flourishing, Our Faith: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Asian American Christian Communities.” In the main room was 150 people (the capacity for this sold out event), with more in the overflow room, and many more online virtually. Thanks to the Center for Asian American Christianity (Princeton Theological Seminary) and the Asian American Mental Health Initiative (Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University) for hosting this historic gathering.

I have so much to say about how the presentations and the people in attendance are so encouraging and affirming for what Christian Asian Mental Health is endeavoring to do. Yes, of course it will take more than praying patiently.

CAMH is most eager to collaborate & partner with pastors and churches that are ready to create the future together. That’s going to take more than baby steps. May the Spirit of God move in our midst, especially those who attended this hybrid conference.

This quick update is to say thanks, praise the Lord, and breakthrough is just around the corner. We are most grateful for the Asian American Christian pioneers that have developed the foundation that integrates the value of both psychology and theology that brings our flourishing, faithfully and gradually, then suddenly, we’re on the brink of something new.

A special issue on the Integration of Psychology and Theology Within Asian American Contexts was published by the Journal of Psychology and Theology in June 2025. All of the articles are open access (free!) for a limited time. (expired on April 24, 2026)

Read this introductory article, The Integration of Psychology and Theology Within Asian American Contexts, to get the gist. Here’s the abstract:

This special issue explores the intersection of psychology and theology within Asian American contexts. Asian Americans have faced immigration challenges, discrimination, and the complex development of their identities within the United States. Despite these experiences, little attention has been given to how psychology and theology can be integrated to address their unique struggles and strengths. The purpose of this issue is to bridge this gap by examining the diverse experiences of Asian Americans through the lens of psychology and theology. The issue aims to provide hope, resilience, and culturally sensitive frameworks for practice and research.

This question was selected by the moderator Dr. David Chao during a workshop presentation (“Church Culture and Mental Health: Building Congregations That Support Well-Being”) by Rev. Alex Chang.

Here’s Rev. Chang’s impromptu response about what he would do right now. What do you think? How would you have answered?

Videos from this conference will be uploaded to the YouTube channel of Center for Asian American Christianity (at Princeton Theological Seminary). Subscribe to their Substack—Imagine Otherwise Magazine—to know when the videos are released. (Conference attendees already have on-demand access to replay videos.)

p.s. on a personal note, DJ’s grand-daughter started taking her first baby steps during this historic weekend! Praise the good Lord!

— DJ Chuang, Director of Christian Asian Mental Health, in partnership with DeoWorks • 949-243-7260