Our friend Rickey takes a life changing trip to Japan. We ask him about his expectations beforehand and document his reactions throughout the trip.

Topics we discuss:

- What is best convenience store in Japan?

- What is your impression of the Japanese people?

- Best food in Japan

- The amazing toilets in Japan

- Animal cafe experience

- Japanese marketing and advertisements

- Difference between Japanese and American fashion

Reach out to Pat:

PATRICKTLEE7@GMAIL.COM

In 2018, Tori was on the path to becoming a full-time missionary when the story broke that John Allen Chau, an young American missionary, was killed off the coast of North Sentinel Island by indigenous people he was trying to evangelize. Chau was determined to reach the island even though it was strictly off limits to all outsiders. This event gained global attention and greatly disturbed Tori. She began a journey of doubt and an unraveling of her worldview. In this episode we discuss the following topics:

• Discovering faith by reading books written by atheists
• Is it possible to be a Christian and not have certainty about God's existence?
• How should Christians evangelize, keeping in mind Christianity's historical connection to colonialism?
• What are other ways the Gospel can be presented other than Jesus dying for sins?
• Does being a Christian simply mean assenting to a list religious concepts?
• Practicing Christianity because it leads to human flourishing, not because it makes sense intellectually
• The difference between what Gen-Z is looking for in Christianity and what past generations looked for

References:

• "The Mission" documentary about Chau by National Geographic (https://films.nationalgeographic.com/the-mission)
• The God Delusion book by famous atheist Richard Dawkins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_Delusion)
• "This Cultural Moment" podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5vc4AILCeO1HDAQV8jE8J4)
• Surprised by Hope book by theologian N.T. Wright (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2319645.Surprised_by_Hope)

Contact Pat:

DM me on Instagram! @iusedtothinkpodcast

Email: PATRICKTLEE7@GMAIL.COM

Angela consistently found herself in positions of leadership throughout her life. From leading ministries at church, to becoming head pastor while working as the Executive Director for a non-profit. But when birthdays and holidays rolled around each year, she looked around and realized that that no one truly knew the real Angela.

Angela talks with us about how leadership can be isolating by nature and the importance of developing authentic friendships with people who recognize your value apart from your work.

The podcast's new Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/iusedtothinkpodcast/

Discover more about Harambee Ministries:

https://www.harambeeministries.org/

Give to Harambee: https://harambeeministriesca-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1274146

About Angela Lee:

Angela Lee is a native East Coast kid but is happy to now call California home. Angela resides in Pasadena with her husband Paul, her 13-year-old bonus daughter Lizzie, 4-year-old, Justise (pronounced “justice”), and 3 year old, Ayla (like Kayla). Angela graduated from the University of Delaware with her degree in Human Services with a concentration in Clinical Services. She went on and applied her passion for youth by working with as a Counselor with Communities in Schools, Education Director for the Boys & Girls Club, and a Program Director for YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

Angela has served in ministry, bi-vocationally at first, and eventually full time for the last 13 years. In 2015, she moved to California to serve as a Junior High Pastor at Saddleback Church and in 2017 moved on to a Pastoral Position at Fellowship Monrovia where she has served and preached the last 6 years.

In January 2022, Angela responded to the call to neighborhood ministry which led her to now also serving as Executive Director at Harambee Ministries in Northwest Pasadena.

Angela’s family is bold and diverse with her father who is African American and her mother who is Puerto Rican. She is the oldest of four children and credits her parents for fostering her love for others and her strong commitment to service. Since being charged, by God, with raising Justise and Ayla, Angela has been inspired to continue her journey into racial justice and reconciliation and what it means to raise Black/Puerto Rican/Korean girls in America amidst the current cultural climate. She is a wife, mom, sister, pastor, preacher, friend, surviving on coffee and Peloton rides. She’s the most excited to add her newest title, “Auntie & Godmother” to her newest nephew in Minnesota.

Angela is passionate about Jesus, people, mental health, justice, reconciliation, Disneyland, and yummy food.

Transcript for this episode: https://share.descript.com/view/cOP4yabQrZd