Rise to the Call: From a Quiet Life to Community Leadership

Ninety percent of women experience imposter syndrome—which means chronic feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.

Studies show that these feelings persist even with educational or professional achievements.

To rise to the call inside of us, we need more than success — we need purpose.

When I first moved to the US from Hong Kong, before I became a Christian, my purpose was simple—all I wanted was to make money and live a quiet, comfortable life.

I was extremely shy and quiet and had a hard time even talking to people. I never thought I would become a leader. I wanted my life to have purpose, but honestly, fear kept holding me back. Instead of living out God’s purpose, I ended up settling for a small life

When I started to read the Bible, I began to see God’s love, and it gave me the security I didn’t have before. That changed how I saw my life. Instead of staying comfortable and avoiding risk, I started to believe I had a purpose—and that my life could actually make a difference. So many people believed in me—that I could lead and that my life could make a difference & have impact—and that helped me start believing it too.

Our women’s ministry is a place where women are surrounded by others who believe in them—and help them see the purpose God has for their lives, even in the hard times.

Years later, when my son was diagnosed with autism, I felt overwhelmed. I didn’t know what to do. Those same feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt came back.

But the women around me helped me believe that God didn’t just want me to survive — he had a bigger purpose for my family than I could see at the moment.

When we moved to San Francisco, we were looking for inclusive programs for our son so he could build friendships.

We volunteered with E-Life, an organization of inclusive programs for people with special needs, and then we had the opportunity to help develop E-Hoops, which has grown into an incredible program where we partner with organizations like USF, the Golden State Valkyries, and the Golden State Warriors to serve and advocate for hundreds of families every week.

What started with me trying to meet a need within my family turned into years of impact on the community around us.

In Luke 13:20-21 TPT
Jesus taught them another parable: “How can I describe God’s kingdom? [21] God’s kingdom is like something as small as yeast that a woman kneads into a large amount of dough. It works unseen until it permeates the entire batch and the loaf rises high.”

That is what God was doing to me. Even when I couldn’t see it, He was building something that would grow beyond what I imagined. And I’ve watched him do the same with countless women around me.

Our women’s ministry surrounds women with others who believe in them—even when they don’t believe in themselves. It is a place where every woman can experience love, security, and the courage to rise into the purpose God has put inside of us.

It’s a place where God can shape a quiet girl into a leader, and where anyone can step up to do good. No matter what you believe about yourself, God has a purpose for your life, and he will help you rise to his call.