Connecting Faith, Race, and Immigration Justice (James Kang)

In this video, James Kang reflects on his journey of faith, belonging, and the Church’s role in welcoming immigrants.

He shares a formative seminary experience where gratitude for their immigrant father’s theological achievements collided with a congregant’s dismissive comment about language barriers, leaving them questioning how churches truly bridge cultural divides. A later visit to South Korea revealed for the first time what it felt like to belong—free from the burden of explaining oneself— underscoring how shared cultural reference points create ease and connection. Grounding his reflection in Leviticus and United Methodist Social Principles, he challenges the Church to move beyond charity and into transformative relationships with immigrants. Practical suggestions include joining immigrant communities in their worship practices, cultivating spaces for honest conversations about difference, and creating church cultures that don’t just welcome diversity but desire it deeply.