Abide Gathering 2023

“It’s hard to articulate the hunger I had felt coming into Abide, with equal parts fatigue about a service-oriented identity in an Asian American church, but also an impatience to see vocation explored fully in Christian community. It was such a privilege to share in the space of vulnerability that was cultivated with all those who attended. Thanks in part to Abide’s unrivaled, unraveled community, I feel able to see so many footsteps ahead of me in a way I haven’t felt in awhile. I’ve found myself more patient in the waiting, and also inspired to maintain newfound connections.”

Where and when we met: We met from July 9-12, 2023 at The Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan. Dearborn is the home of Ford Motor Company and is just outside of Detroit.
Who was there: 56 attendees who were in their 20s to 70s from all over the United States, representing various Asian ethnic and professional backgrounds.
Children and Youth program: Seventeen children and youth had a day camp based out of the hotel led by 5 youth and childcare leaders. The youth went on various field trips around Detroit, including a service project with a local church.
What we learned about and how we fostered friendship: The journey and lessons of a sabbatical, a new definition of success after a lifetime of performing for God, sabbath taking, generational blessings and burdens, career and life vision, relational needs, providing Godly comfort, many personal stories and times for self-reflection, a life journey told in song and video, pickleball, a downtown Detroit food tour, and more.

Speakers and Presenters

Mia Chung-Yee

Mia will be a plenary speaker at the Abide Gathering. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Octet Collaborative, a study center at MIT dedicated to human flourishing. Mia has received the highest recognitions as a solo recitalist and concerto soloist, and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Harvard College, a master’s degree from Yale University and doctorate from The Juilliard School. She has been on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music since 2012.
Josh Cheng

Josh is a serial entrepreneur, advisor and investor in the financial services space. Josh is married to his lovely wife, Rema, and they are blessed with two beautiful kids, Caleb and Abigail. The Chengs live in Orange County, CA and have journeyed around the country with past seasons in the Bay Area and Boston.
Carl and Lisa Peck

Carl and Lisa Peck have been helping hurting people for almost 30 years through their counseling and consulting ministry. They have led marriage and relationship intensives for the Center for Relational Care for over 20 years, and they conduct trainings, conferences and retreats across the country.
Carl and Lisa have been married for 28 years and live in Huntsville, AL. They received their Master’s degrees from Denver Seminary.
Aisea Taimani

Aisea will lead our group worship experience at the Abide Gathering. He has been crafting worship and musical experiences for over twenty years for audiences around the world. He is married to Elli and lives in the Bay Area.
Andy Chan

Andy will be the emcee at the Abide Gathering. He is the Vice President of Innovation & Career Development at Wake Forest University. Andy has three grown children and lives in Winston-Salem, NC.