Bicultural Identity: Honoring Stories, Naming Realities

By Yunkyong Lee, API Community Liaison, and Rev. Dr. Miseon Choi, API Young Adult Mission Specialist

What does it mean to live between cultures, holding together family heritage, cultural values, and the realities of growing up in American society?

This was a question posed by Dr. Eltice Lin at a recent gathering between members of NBA’s Asian & Pacific Islander (A/PI) Initiative team and A/PI individuals in the Disciples’ Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR). Dr. Lin, the gathering’s keynote speaker, spoke on the topic of bicultural identity. She described it as a lived journey rather than a fixed label, with her message affirming these layered identities are not burdens to hide, but rather stories worth naming and honoring.

For many participants, this resonated deeply. A/PI youth and young adults often navigate the tension between cultures: balancing expectations, responding to stereotypes, and at times feeling unseen or misunderstood. These experiences can raise quiet but persistent questions about belonging and identity. Yet within this gathering, those questions were not avoided; they were welcomed.

In addition to Dr. Lin’s keynote, participants were placed in age-based small groups, creating spaces where conversations could unfold naturally and honestly. Stories about family, culture, challenges, and growth were shared, and what emerged was a strong sense of connection. Participants recognized pieces of their own journeys in one another’s stories, and that recognition became a source of encouragement. It reminded participants that they are not alone in their experiences- what may have once felt isolating began to feel shared, and even meaningful. In this way, the gathering became more than a place of discussion. It became a space of affirmation and, for many, a step toward healing.

From a faith perspective, this is deeply significant. Identity and faith are not separate parts of life—they are woven together. When young people are given space to bring their full selves into conversation with their faith, something important happens: they begin to see that who they are is not outside of God’s story, but part of it.

For the wider church, this gathering offers a gentle but important invitation. Celebrating A/PI Heritage Month each June is not only about recognizing culture, but also truly listening to the stories and experiences within our community. It is about creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported as they grow.

This gathering reflected a vision of church at its best, a community where every story matters and each person is invited to belong fully. It also offered a meaningful and timely space for A/PI youth and young adults to reflect on the realities of bicultural identity with honesty, courage, and hope.

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NBA’s Asian & Pacific Islander (A/PI) Initiative is a multi‑year, equity‑centered effort committed to deepening relationships with Disciples A/PI communities through presence, listening, and collaboration. This initiative seeks not only to expand access to NBA programs, but to learn alongside A/PI leaders of all generations as they shape the future of this work.

Gatherings such as the PSWR A/PI March Gathering are an essential part of this broader vision, creating culturally rooted spaces where stories can be honored, faith explored, and meaningful connections strengthened as NBA continues its commitment to walking with A/PI communities in ways that are relational, contextual, and responsive.