An Intersectional Learning Space

About ISAAC

Since 2006, the Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity has provided research and resources for scholars and church leaders who engage Asian American Christians. Today, ISAAC continues to raise culturally-rooted spiritual leaders led by a team of scholars, pastors, and civic leaders.

Our Mission

We create a third space of learning where leaders in the academy, church, and community can collaboratively advance the development of Asian American faith leaders. Based on mutual learning & empowerment, we provide mentorship, hosting webinars on tangible leadership skills that advance institutions and communities, publishing journals & resource books, and telling our collective stories through our podcast. 

Executive Director’s Corner | May 2023
Executive Director’s Corner | May 2023

One of the vast learning curbs for running a nonprofit organization involves fundraising. Although often labeled as a “fearless leader,” when it comes to asking matters, I feel vulnerable knowing how closely people’s emotions are tied to money. To my surprise, this...

S3, Episode 5: Ajung Sojwal
S3, Episode 5: Ajung Sojwal

The Rev. Ajung Sojwal is an Episcopal priest, who has served as priest-in-charge, interim priest and rector at several churches in New York and Connecticut before moving to Palo Alto, CA as priest-in-charge of All Saints’ Church. She is a regular blogger for Asian...

S3, Episode 4: Lydia Sohn
S3, Episode 4: Lydia Sohn

Lydia Sohn is a United Methodist minister currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Walnut United Methodist Church. Her book, Here: A Spirituality of Staying in a Culture of Leaving, is forthcoming with Convergent Press in the Fall of 2024.  She shares the crucial...

Equipping Asian American faith leaders to advance equity at the pulpit.

Programs

How to Fuel Your Passion

Focused on equipping a multi-denominational group of entrepreneurial Asian American women and Latinas, this eight-session course integrates faith and practical leadership skills for participants to assume leadership positions upon completion of the program. 

PastoraLab

A communal learning space designed for Asian American women faith leaders to thrive.  Participants will engage in mentorships with other Asian American faith leaders, learn practices to build a healthy and holistic ministry, and cultivate their Asian American Christian leadership identity. 

We create intersectional learning spaces, daring to see realities and Christianity from multiple lenses to provide learning at its best.

Asian American Research Survey

This survey will generate data on Asian American Christian leadership methodology for analysis and projections about the future.

Young Lee Hertig

Co-Founder/Executive Director of ISAAC (Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity)/AAWOL (Asian American Women On Leadership), Editor-In-Chief of ChristianityNext

Dr. Jerry Park

Dr. Jerry Park is an Associate Professor of Sociology and an affiliate fellow of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion. His research interests include the sociological study of religion, race, identity, culture and civic participation.

Joyce Chang

Joyce Chang is currently a PhD student in the department of Sociology at Baylor University. Her research centers Asian Americans in the racial discourse with a specific focus on racial attitudes, social movements and assimilation.

Dr. Andrew Lee, PhD

Dr. Andrew Lee is the Associate Director of the Global Diaspora Institute at Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.

People whose intellectual and historical knowledge is unrecorded remain marginalized. ISAAC commits to gathering data to reflect the needs of the Asian American Christian community.

Publications

ISAAC commits to transcribing Asian American Christian issues and histories through journals and resource books in paperback and online.

ChristianityNext

An interdisciplinary journal creating new pathways for Asian North American Christianity

A Biblical Study Guide for Equal Pulpits

Edited by Young Lee Hertig & Foreword by Edwin David Aponte

The Tao of Asian American Belonging: A Yinist Spirituality

By Young Lee Hertig

Mirrored Reflections: Reframing Biblical Characters

Edited by Young Lee Hertig & Chloe Sun

Podcast

The podcast, “When Women Preach…” highlights women preachers from AAPI and Latinx faith communities. In order to create a more equal pulpit, we talk about experiences and resources that prepare women of color to preach effectively. We currently have over 4,000 downloads!