Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) invites us to honor the stories, traditions, cultures and contributions of those in the AAPI community. For International Ministries, it’s also a time to recognize how God weaves together heritage and calling into the lives of global servants. 

For Global Servant Jae Stockton, that story begins with both hardship and faith.

Jae grew up in the Philippines. Her mother and grandmother raised her after her father, a Navy serviceman, returned to the United States. Shortly after his departure, there was a time she was without a home. Life was very difficult for Jae’s mother, a single parent raising a child in a third-world country. Jae remembers walking down the street one late evening after being evicted. She asked her mother where they were going, and the answer has stuck with her: “It’s going to be okay, baby. God will provide.”  

This faith, one that holds firm in the face of difficulties, was the foundation for Jae’s own faith.

During these early years, Jae’s grandmother, Margarita, provided care while her mother worked tirelessly. This support made a difficult life feel more stable. Her grandmother even found ways to help financially, making warm rice cakes for Jae to sell after school around the neighborhood. “I was raised by two amazing, beautiful women,” Jae shares. And these two women were also shining examples of resilience, generosity and perseverance.

A pivotal moment happened in Jae’s life when a neighbor invited them to a local Baptist church led by an American missionary. It was there that Jae and her mother, Vicky, were saved. Jae was just 8 years old and can now see God’s goodness all over her life. That American missionary/pastor didn’t just preach the gospel; he lived it out. Jae remembers how he helped her mother start a small business and how that tangible act transformed their daily lives. 

Gifted with an entrepreneurial spirit, Jae’s mother was able to make a small profit each day. Within a year, she started another business and eventually had others working for her. Jae watched how kind and generous her mother was to those she worked with. When someone was sick, she would take them to the medical clinic and pay for their doctor’s visit and medicine. She would make sure the food cart vendors had something to eat during the day. She cared for others, showing them the same kind of love and hope she had received during a time of hardship.

These experiences are the deep roots that shape Jae’s life in ministry to this day.

At 20, Jae moved to the United States, carrying with her these values of generosity, faith, and perseverance. She worked in hospitality and accounting, yet had always had a deep desire to serve in the military. At 34, Jae enlisted in the U.S. Army. While serving, she found herself ministering to those around her. Drawing from her upbringing, she naturally stepped into a nurturing role, listening and praying. She now realizes that the military was her first mission field.

In 2007, while at a mission conference, Jae received her call to global mission. “It was there that the Lord grabbed my heart and I said, ‘Lord, send me.’” The journey had a few twists, but through God’s timing, Jae found a home at the First Baptist Church in Billings, Montana. While finishing her degree at the university, she noticed a growing number of homeless people. Out of love, she acted. She took food with her on her weekend travels around town. She would stop and talk with a homeless person, helping them to feel seen and cared for.

Just like the American missionary who showed her mother an act of kindness, Jae saw a need and stepped out in faith to fill it. However, she wasn’t only meeting a physical need; Jae was living out the gospel to those in difficult situations.

Within a few months, her pastor and other church members joined Jae. They began making sandwiches, and the youth joined in. Even today, this ministry continues. “They just caught my heart,” Jae reflected as she shared how the ministry started. 

God shaped Jae for global mission through her Filipino culture of generosity and community. She grew from the faithful examples of those around her and embraced every opportunity to love and serve others. So, when her pastor in Montana asked her directly if she wanted to become a missionary, it was only natural for her to say, “Oh Yes!” Within a week, Jae had already connected with staff at International Ministries.

Today, she continues to carry her cultural heritage and faith into every space she enters. Whether working with women and children in Tijuana, Mexico, who have experienced domestic violence or helping seminary students with technical computer issues, Jae lives out the gospel with a loving and generous spirit. 

“It’s all God’s doing,” Jae says as she looks back over her life. “Filipinos have a heart for serving and hospitality, but in Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus gives us all a call to action. Everyone has a harvest field right where they are—your family, your community, your church. And if you have a heart for global mission, partner in prayer or financially with a global servant. We just have to jump in to fulfill God’s calling!” 

Read more AAPI stories from IM Global Servants Yuree Lembke and AmyEstelle Trout.

Heritage is more than where we come from. It shapes who we are and how we live out our faith. Through Jae’s journey, we are reminded that God weaves every part of our story together for His glory!

 Here are a few ways your church can participate in honoring AAPI Heritage Month.

1. Share Stories of Faith and Culture. Ask people in the AAPI community to share testimonies. Stories build connection and deepen understanding.
2. Include Cultural Expressions in Services. Incorporate music, dance, and readings that reflect AAPI culture into your gatherings. This celebrates God’s diverse kingdom.
3. Pray with Global Awareness. Dedicate time to pray for AAPI communities around the world and locally, as well as global servants serving these regions.
4. Partner Across Cultures. Build relationships with AAPI organizations or congregations. Sharing meals, combining services, or creating fellowship events fosters unity.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a reminder that God’s mission is beautifully diverse. Through stories of culture and faith, may we reflect God’s love to the world.