Asia Journal ’24 - #1:

 

I’m in Asia for the second leg of my research on Worship. The travel between Seattle and Singapore was the longest non-stop flight I’ve ever taken: 16-hours! The whole trip from I left home at 2:00am on Tuesday morning at 2:20am until I arrived at my room in Jakarta, Indonesia at 12:20am Thursday morning

was 36 hours! Singapore airport is one of the most beautiful I have visited. It’s huge. I walked the more than 2 miles through their fabulous concourses. Jakarta airport is also fabulous. I’m staying in the guestroom of “My Word Christian Church,” a large Evangelical Church in Jakarta. For those who followed my journals and Facebook posts last year, will remember that the summer of 2023 saw me in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This year its Indonesia and Malaysia. For you who missed it, here I repeat the explanation of my endeavor:  If you are acquainted with my book on worship (“Diverse Worship: African American, Caribbean and Hispanic Perspectives“ (InterVarsity Press), you would know my contention that true Biblical/Christian worship should be wholistic, and not just a cerebral experience. Looking at those 3 cultures I demonstrate that conclusion by especially investigating cultures whose roots are in the global south, and indigenous (like the Bible, which in reality comes out of north African culture). I have a strong inkling that this would be true in Asia. And my trips last year began to confirm the same. Hopefully, my research pilgrimage in these next two weeks will bring further confirmation. The methodology will be the same as the research for "Diverse Worship" -- in situ indigenous Christian worship services and interviews.