Dear friends,
As the new co-directors of New College Berkeley (NCB), we’re in awe of the rich legacy of this Christian study center, much of which is owed to Susan Phillips who has completed nearly three decades of continuous service. Through her wisdom and leadership, Susan has shepherded NCB, and generations of students, to “walk in newness” as disciples of Jesus throughout these many years. We are deeply grateful for this faithful servant. As Susan steps down from NCB directorship, we are delighted and pleased to announce that she will continue as a core doctoral faculty member, leading our spiritual formation programs.
As the two of us begin to write the next chapter of NCB’s story, we find ourselves in a pivotal moment in the social, political and religious milieu of the US. The face of America is changing rapidly, in step with the intercultural reality of an ever-globalizing world. Biblical faith in this context, however, is contested ground, especially when the Church remains beholden to socio-political ideologies (whether right or left) or a passing American Christendom. What does gospel faithfulness require of the Church in these tumultuous days?
We need the Spirit’s gift of discernment. We need to listen to one another. We need a “third” space where congregational leaders, academics, spiritual practitioners, community leaders, and everyday disciples can gather, learn, and be equipped for faithful proclamation and embodiment of the gospel. Can it be possible that the Spirit is turning a new page for NCB to lead and equip God’s people for such a time as this?
Tim thinks so. Born in Taiwan, his parents brought him to the US when he was just two years old. His father was a church planter and pastor of a Chinese immigrant church in Brooklyn, New York. His mom was a nurse. Tim’s family witnessed the growth of the Chinese church in America and the racial-ethnic diversification of mainline and evangelical Protestantism. At Urbana 1981, Tim was called to ministry when he was awakened to the church’s failure to speak prophetically in the face of cultural change, social injustice, and spiritual hunger. Over the years, whether in theological education, academia, or pastoral ministries, Tim has helped Christ-followers be captivated by God’s vision for their lives in the world. So he was compelled by this opportunity to develop transformative programs at NCB for the sake of the gospel!
Craig agrees. Inspired by the courageous Presbyterians who advocated for his grandmother’s release from immigration detention on Angel Island back in 1917, a particularly brutal year during the Chinese Exclusion, Craig desires to see bold faith, particularly among the emerging generations. This passion grew considerably in the post-9/11 era, upon witnessing a large swath of the Church capitulating to the drum-beats of nationalism rather than faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ. Having served for over three decades in congregational, parachurch and community development ministry, Craig is energized by the possibilities for NCB to equip the saints in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
We thank you, dear reader, for your interest in the work of NCB, and we covet your prayers for strength and wisdom as we co-lead and forge new ground in these early months. And we invite you to reach out to us at codirectors@newcollegeberkeley.org with any questions, thoughts, or dreams for NCB you might have. We’d love to hear from you.
Happy Lunar New Year!
Craig Wong and Tim Tseng
Craig Wong is Co-Director of New College Berkeley. He co-founded Ekklesiae, a ministry that fosters theological conversation and gospel friendship among leaders across culture, tradition and generation. He has thirty-plus years of congregational leadership, nonprofit consulting, and grant writing experience, and is currently in a doctoral program at Western Theological Seminary.
Dr. Tim Tseng is Co-Director of New College Berkeley. He is a widely respected scholar and religious leader. His past roles include non-profit organization founder, ordained pastor, author, and Core Doctoral Faculty at the Graduate Theological Union. He is the Pacific Area Director of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Graduate and Faculty Ministries. Tim earned his PhD from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.