Tim Tseng's Blog

About

Tim Tseng, Ph.D.
4–6 minutes

When I was called to full-time ministry at Urbana 1981, I never imagined that God would take me on a journey into graduate studies, theological education, academia, and local church pastoral ministry. From New York City to the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve been privileged to equip seminary students, rub shoulders with religious, theological, and historical studies faculty, and co-labor with Asian American pastors and church leaders! Some consider me a pioneer in the study of the history of Asian American Christianity. Perhaps. But I was unable to enjoy a long career as a church historian and seminary educator. Despite the pain of not being able to remain on this path, God placed me in other satisfying areas of ministries. Over the years, I learned that my identity did not have to be tied to being a theological faculty member.

But today, my calling to advance the history of Asian American Christianity has come full circle. Since July 2024, I have been directing the Asian American Christian History Institute (AACHI), which is housed at Fuller Theological Seminary’s Asian American Center. I am also Research Professor of the History of Christianity and Asian American Studies at Fuller’s School of Mission and Theology. Though I am responsible for raising funds for AACHI’s budget, I am now able to focus on making known the histories of Asian American Christians and nurturing historically-enriched disciples.

Throughout my patchwork quilt ministry, Betty has been my soul mate and a steadfast reminder that Jesus is our resource for life and salvation. We have been married since 1985 and have two adult sons, Nathaniel and Benjamin. We have lived in Castro Valley, California since 2000 (but I still root for New York City sports teams!).

I’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to me at this email!

Wishing you God’s peace, justice, and joy!
TimTsengSignature
Tim Tseng 曾 祥 雨 Ph.D.

When people ask about me, I say that I am a….

Many layers of theological and ministry vocation

I was most recently the Pacific Area Director, Graduate and Faculty Ministries of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (2018-2024) and Co-Executive Director of New College Berkeley (2022).

Prior to that, I served as Pastor of English Ministries at Canaan Taiwanese Christian Church in San Jose, CA (2010-2017) and Executive Director and Founder of the Institute for the Study of Asian American Christianity [now Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity](2006-2011).

At Denver Seminary (1994-1996), I started my ministry as a theological educator as Assistant Professor of Church History. I then served as Assistant Professor of American Religious History at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School  (1997-2000). My last full-time faculty position was as Associate Professor of American Religious History and Director of the Asian American Center at the American Baptist Seminary of the West [now Berkeley School of Theology] (a member school of the Graduate Theological Union) between 2000-2006.

I  received my Ph.D. in American religious history and Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York (1994 and 1987).  During this time I was a Youth and Associate Pastor at the Brooklyn Chinese Christian Church [now Brooklyn Chinese Community Church] (1986-1992) [ordained American Baptist Churches – June 11, 1988]

My academic interests center on Asian and Asian American religious history, Asian Christianity, race and religion in United States, the Chinese Diaspora, American religion, and theology of cultural engagement. I’ve written for several journals and books, including

  • The Future of Evangelicalism in America
  • Columbia Guide to Religion in American History
  • Oxford Handbook of Evangelical Theology
  • Honoring the Generations: Learning with Asian North American Congregations
  • Realizing the America of our Hearts: Theological Voices of Asian Americans
  • Revealing the Sacred in Asian and Pacific America
  • Women and Twentieth-Century Protestantism
  • The Social Gospel Today
  • New Spiritual Homes: Religion and Asian Americans.

At the core of my calling is a desire to equip leaders (in particular, Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders) for congregations, community, and society. Since supporting local church ministry leadership has been at the heart of my life work, I have designed resources for those who serve in these ministry settings, such as the Asian American Christianity Reader and the “Five Cries of Asian American Young Adults Today.” In 2005, I facilitated the publication of “Asian American Religious Leadership Today” on behalf of the Pulpit and Pew Project.

I also started the Healthy Church Leaders Initiative of the Asian American Leadership Center (until 2018), a ministry that supports professional church leaders who serve in Asian American contexts through Peer Coaching, continuing education, and mentoring emerging Asian American church leaders.

For a complete list of my publications, look at My Publications page.