Junko: Blog

I often get the opportunity to work with worship bands at numerous Asian American churches around the country. Sometimes I get hired to be a consultant, helping improve the worship teams in their craft during an afternoon workshop. At other times, the mere process of rehearsing the band for the purpose of accompanying me ends up becoming an ad hoc workshop of sorts. Many of these churches are not large enough (i.e., lack the funds) to hire a full- or even part-time worship director, so they might call me in on occasion to either lead or train their teams. At first, I wondered what I could possibly offer these people who are already talented and giving their all. But then again, I do have years of playing in a contemporary worship band at a much larger church, being on paid staff at a church as their contemporary worship leader, then singing with the worship team at Saddleback Church. I probably have seen and have learned more than most people who have never attended a church larger [...]

I had the privilege of leading worship and sharing my music yesterday at 1st Chinese Baptist Church of San Antonio. It was a wonderful time!

Just for this weekend ("Special guest worship leader from Saddleback Church in California -- Junko Cheng!" announced the posters plastered all over the church campus), they combined the English and Chinese departments for a time of bilingual worship, making the attendance total about 150, including the youths. Because neither the pastor nor I could speak Mandarin, an interpreter was on hand during the prayer, testimony, sermon, communion, and announcements. The PowerPoint lyrics were projected in both languages on each slide. One of the singers in my worship team could sing in English and Mandarin, so I had him take the lead whenever I felt we should switch to Chinese during a song. Imagine hearing the chorus to "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin in Mandarin -- it was heavenly. The congregation sang heartily in whatever language [...]

One of the things I LOVE about Asian churches is...food! Many Asian churches eat lunch together after Sunday worship services, right at church. My soundman Bryan, sax player Anthony, and I have been the beneficiaries of many a fine feast.

The Japanese churches often do it pot luck-style, bringing sushi rolls filled with tuna, cucumber, or egg custard inside; inari sushi that look like miniature footballs; teriyaki chicken wings; salads with rice noodles smothered in rice vinegar dressing; and individually packed confectionaries for dessert afterward. There's nothing like Japanese pot lucks in terms of the pure artistry of the way foods look and taste.

The Chinese churches own the market on comfort food, Oriental style. You hear the familiar sounds of pots and pans accenting the rhythm section of the worship team during the opening set. Around the time the sermon begins, you start smelling the distinct aroma of rice cooking coming to a crescendo, billowing steam from the four industrial-size [...]

I travel around the country to sing at churches, many of which are smaller Asian churches. Some might be Japanese, Korean, Filipino, or Viet Namese, but a large majority of the Asian churches are Chinese. Maybe it's because there are just a lot of Chinese in the world.

In fact, I have sung at dozens -- if not hundreds -- of Chinese churches, most of them pretty small, maybe 200 people max if you include all the babies in the nursery. Many Chinese churches were started by new immigrants who met together for Bible studies in their college dorms, but upon graduation they became a full-fledged church after calling their first full-time pastor. Then these people had babies who, for many years, were placed in childcare and Sunday School, thus increasing the population of the church. However, when the kids became teenagers, they no longer had Sunday School to attend, yet they got bored in the worship services because their Chinese was not at a level where they could understand the sermons [...]

I'm starting to hear back from listeners of my interviews on Focus on the Family Weekend Magazine. Here are some:

I just listened to part 1 of your focus on the family interview. I was so touched by your story of how God unlocked the pain that was buried deep within your heart. The image of you running through the rice fields and the story of you going for a run and coming to peace with that little Japanese girl touched a deep part of me. Thank you for sharing your gift. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
-Eileen

I was in the shower this morning listening to my shoiwer radio and heard Junko singing a song about her young life in the rice fields of the rising sun. My wife is from Thailand and the song reminded me of her life when she was a little girl.
-Bob and Vanida

Heard about you for the very first time on radio. The interview was awesome. To have a Japanese Christian singer with such a beautiful voice had me riveted to the program. Your lyrics and the sweet Japanese [...]