isabel ong

"I am intrigued by our modern-day penchant for making monsters and demons safe—or cute or attractive or morally ambiguous—and how this might be creating a sense of spiritual ambivalence."

My reflection on "KPop Demon Hunters," "Demon Slayer," Labubu: www.christianitytoday.com/2025/08/labu...

We’re Not Afraid of Monsters and Demons Anymore - Christianity Today Labubu, ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Demon Slayer’: We humanize these otherworldly creatures because we’re spiritually ambivalent.

Labubu, ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Demon Slayer’: We humanize these otherworldly creatures because we’re spiritually ambivalent.

My latest @christianitytoday.com:

Canada Is Killing Itself The country gave its citizens the right to die. Doctors are struggling to keep up with demand.

"MAID now accounts for about one in 20 deaths in Canada—more than Alzheimer’s and diabetes combined"

The ‘Antioch of Asia’? - Christianity Today Christian leaders in Singapore wrestle with a prophetic charge and diminishing cross-cultural evangelism.

Singapore turns 60 on Aug 9.

The prophetic call for the country to be an Antioch of Asia has helped and also hindered mission efforts, said the Singaporean Christian leaders I interviewed in my @christianitytoday.com report last year:

www.christianitytoday.com/2024/09/sing...

To Know Christ, Use Your Sense of Smell - Christianity Today Mary pouring nard on Jesus’ feet isn’t only about extravagant worship.

"In this passage, knowing Jesus comes not by way of word but by way of smell. Fragrance, rather than doctrinal revelation, becomes the medium of recognition." -- Bohye Kim

Anyone else partial to cozy fiction lately? I shared some recent reads in @christianitytoday.com's Weekend newsletter, which you can subscribe to here:

pages.christianitytoday.com/ct-weekly

Canada Articles - Christianity Today Explore in-depth articles, news, and Christian perspectives connected to Canada. Stay informed with trusted insights from Christianity Today.

We cover Canada, and publish pieces from writers/reporters based in the country, pretty often: www.christianitytoday.com/topics/canada/

Check out my author page here:

Telling East Asia's Stories at Christianity Today: An Interview with Isabel Ong - SOLA Network Aaron Lee interviews Isabel Ong, East Asia editor at Christianity Today. They talk about presenting Asian stories to a majority culture, her research and writing process, and what she hopes her reader...

Had a great time talking with The Sola Network's Aaron Lee about my work as @christianitytoday.com's East Asia editor!

CT's Daily Briefing Newsletter | Christianity Today Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily.

Stay updated on engaging, thoughtful reads by subscribing to our newsletter for free: pages.christianitytoday.com/ct-daily-bri...

You can also register for an account on our site to read up to 3 articles per month for free!

Chinese Christians Have Conflicted Feelings About ‘Saving Face’ - Christianity Today Though a significant part of their culture, not all feel like it best honors how God wants conflict dealt with.

One thing I love about my job is the opportunity to publish pieces that wrestle with aspects of Chinese culture from a Christian perspective. Here are some stories I recommend
@christianitytoday.com (see thread):

To Know Christ, Use Your Sense of Smell - Christianity Today Mary pouring nard on Jesus’ feet isn’t only about extravagant worship.

Jesus’s presence lingers in those who love him, “a fragrance that emerges not through ritual smoke but through lives thoroughly shaped by the enduring imprint of knowing him.”

The Raging Sea Is More Than a Symbol of Chaos - Christianity Today The Bible's favorite metaphor to remind you that you're not in control.

Anyone else spending summer weekends at the beach or at a lake? This @christianitytoday.com piece offers a deeper understanding of the sea in Scripture:

Christian Groups Perplexed, Wary After Korea Bible Incident - Christianity Today South Korea detained six Americans trying to send rice and Bibles by sea to North Korea.

South Korea recently detained six Americans for attempting to send rice and Bibles to North Korea. Christian nonprofits and groups in South Korea worry that the incident will hamper efforts to reach the reclusive country. On @christianitytoday.com:

Singing Hymns to Scare The Bears - Christianity Today On the outskirts of Anchorage, a Southern Baptist retired science education professor captures creation on her cameras.

In Anchorage, a hymn-singing hiker shares God's creatures through game-camera footage.

@christianitytoday.com reports from Alaska:

www.christianitytoday.com/2025/07/sing...

We have a small and dedicated team @christianitytoday.com covering the Asia region. Read our latest pieces about India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, and more:

www.christianitytoday.com/topics/asia/

Singapore Megachurch Pastor Criticized for Lack of Repentance - Christianity Today An interview with Kong Hee, who was convicted of fraud years ago, sparked controversy among Chinese Christians.

A recent interview with Singapore pastor Kong Hee, who was convicted of fraud years ago, brought out issues of repentance and prosperity-gospel teachings among Chinese Christians.

My report for @christianitytoday.com:

Hudson Taylor’s Wish for a ‘Thousand Lives’ for China’s Millions Has Become a Reality - Christianity Today The legacy of Hudson Taylor and his China Inland Mission is still inspiring new generations of Christians in China and beyond.

160 years ago, Hudson Taylor founded China Inland Misison (CIM), now OMF. Read how his wish for a 'thousand lives' for China's millions has become a reality:

Evangelical Fault Lines Revealed in South Korean Election - Christianity Today Some Christians are troubled by politicians’ anti-Communist rhetoric. Others are preoccupied with it.

“We must stop using Scripture to justify our political opinions. The Bible is not a partisan weapon," says one Korean evangelical amid deepening political polarization in the country.

NEW on @christianitytoday.com:

Stef loves EASTER EYES: "Easter us in joy and strength / Be our God, be your true self, lord of life / massively turn our life toward your life"

I love ADVENT PRAYER: "In our secret yearnings / we wait for your coming, / and in our grinding despair / we doubt that you will."

Today, in light of Walter Brueggemann's death, my colleague @stefanimcdade.bsky.social and I talked about our favorite poems from his book AWED TO HEAVEN, ROOTED IN EARTH.

From a lovely liturgy written for CT by my colleague @ecmaya.bsky.social 💟

Dragon Boat Festival is happening this weekend. Chinese Christians may regard dragons negatively because of how they are depicted in Scripture. Here's what biblical scholars have to say about it @christianitytoday.com:

www.christianitytoday.com/2023/06/drag...

I Have a Baby Face. It Shouldn’t Discount My Leadership. - Christianity Today Ageism persists in majority-Asian churches. But Scripture exhorts us to transform how we speak and act toward young pastors and leaders.

Gen Z headlines from my colleagues for this recent piece:

It’s Giving Baby Face
POV: You have a baby face

I Have a Baby Face. It Shouldn’t Discount My Leadership. - Christianity Today Ageism persists in majority-Asian churches. But Scripture exhorts us to transform how we speak and act toward young pastors and leaders.

One of the most frequent comments I've received as a pastor's wife: "You look so young!"

I wrote about it @christianitytoday.com for AAPI Heritage Month:

Establish the Work of Our Hands (Live) [feat. Aaron Keys & Urban Doxology] The Porter's Gate, Aaron Keys, Urban Doxology · Work Songs: The Porter's Gate Worship Project Vol 1 · Song · 2017

Current workday tune:

Indian and Pakistani Christians Fear War, Not Each Other - Christianity Today South Asian believers prayed for peace as violence between their countries escalated.

“We prayed—not just for ourselves but for every child left sleepless, for every mother clutching her children, for every Muslim and Christian family across this wounded land longing for dawn.” 

How a Pakistani pastor lived through last week:

www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/indi...