Angie Hong
The first time I met Angie in person was in December of 2019 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was part of a team leading a gathering of folk called from across the country (and Canada) to consult on the history and future of multicultural worship. I anticipated this encounter for some time, as we had several mutual friends and knew of each other on social media. Angie was full of life and brilliance, and had a passion for the church, and for worship. She had a confidence that was contagious and lead our group with a graciousness that created such love in the room. Even in all that power and brilliance, she was teachable; open to listening to us from our respective fields, and making space for collaboration and even disagreement. We have had many conversations since then, and the wisdom that she brings to our conversations continues to give me hope for the future leaders of the church. Angie teaches us that learning is a lifelong process, that you learn just as much (if not more) from mastering parenting as you do from mastering divinity, and that worship can be seen as a point of connection and solidarity.
Angie Hong, worship leader, writer, speaker
Tell us who you are!
I am a worship leader, exploring different liturgies and theologies across intersections. I am a musician, music therapist, and creative. I am a mother of two amazing kids. I love bringing people together and connecting with people.
What inspires you?
The question is, "What doesn't inspire me??" I am inspired by wonderful people around me who are focused on doing what they were gifted on this earth to do.
What are one or two lessons you carry with you each day?
Breathe and notice. Be open. Less is better. Done is better than perfect.
What are you working on?
I am working on being a homeschool mama, learning jazz piano, strengthening my brain in decolonial thinking and aesthesis, and racial justice activism.
How do you connect spirituality/religion in your work?
Religion and spirituality is the exploration and root of everything that I do - in work, in parenting, and in life. It is from that enunciation that I connect to the Divine, to others, and to myself. I find that if I work from outside that framework I act very foolish.
You are quite the fashionista. What is your go to accessory?
My go-to accessory - ooh, that’s really tough! I love a good pair of sunnies. My eyes are sensitive to the sun, so I wear sunglasses a lot. I like to wear big, fun ones. I even wore sunglasses at night to a club after eye surgery (I couldn’t miss 9th Wonder’s Birthday party!), and that made me feel like a celebrity.