Steve Chong is founder and director of the Rice Movement, originating from Sydney, Australia, which attracts thousands of young people in what is Australia's largest Asian youth movement. He rose to national prominence when he appeared on the controversial SBS reality TV series "Christians Like Us." ABC characterised him as a Christian leader who, "sees an Asian future for the church Down Under." As well as leading the Rice Movement, he is an itinerant evangelist, preaching and teaching in Christchurch, Vancouver, San Francisco, Perth as well as home town of Sydney. He has been trained and mentored by prominent New York pastor and evangelist, Tim Keller.
Chong went on to study at bible college where he was trained in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney by renowned evangelist John Chapman. He then spent 7 years as a young minister at Kirkplace Church, Kogarah in Sydney's inner south, throughout which, he founded the Rice Movement. He has been further trained and mentored by American minister, Tim Keller.
Rice Movement
Founded in 2002 in Sydney, Australia, Chong formed the Rice Movement in order to raise up a new generation of people sharing the gospel of Jesus. Initially starting out with only 6 youth groups and around 120 people, Rice has since grown to involve thousands of young people in what is Australia's largest Asian youth movement with annual rallies — a Rice Rally — held each year in August. As a stated nondenominational movement, Rice Rally has attracted thousands of youth, particularly from the Asian Australian demographic, though Chong says that he never set out to start an Asian-focused ministry. While he says many Asian young people suppress creativity and passion, "we love unlocking that." Rice Movement's reach has since expanded from Sydney, to Melbourne, Perth and Auckland in recent years. In addition to the annual 'Rice Rally', Rice Movement also runs two school focused ministries in the form of Rice Catalyst and Rice Twelve as well as a Grad Program.
Rice Catalyst
Rice Catalyst is a schools based ministry that 'aims to relight the flame of Christian youth by exploring the depths and riches of God's Word together.' Catalyst runs a conference in addition to the main Rice Rally called Catalyst Conference, which brings youth groups and school Christian groups together in order to 'train, encourage and challenge one another the fundamentals of Christian living.' The main theme of Rally carries through to the main talk, with additional topical workshops, practicals and Q&A panel.
Rice Twelve
Rice Twelve is a study camp initiative, specifically for Year 12 students, to help them prepare as well as 'provide a Christ-honouring perspective to their work and priorities.'
Grad program
Rice Movement's Grad Program is aimed at setting 'young adults up for evangelism and ministry in their local church and beyond.' The program has partnered with Ravi Zacharias ministries for apologetics training as well as other local social justice organisations dependant on the city.
Views
Chong has a high view of the significance of Asia people in Western nations like Australia, not simply because of their influence in the culture, but because they will be part of the future of the global Christian faith:
People are having to realise we’re in the China century. And Australia has such a significant part in that. Everything we do is so pegged to Asia. We’re this unique Western country in Asia. That’s why we’ve got this ability to cross these cultures right now. Whether it’s the boom of the church in Korea, or the underground church in China — the crazy statistics that there are more Christians in China than America — the West hasn’t stopped to engage with this. Has the centre of Christianity moved?
Media
In 2019, Steve Chong appeared on the SBS show 'Christians Like Us'. The show was billed as “10 Australian Christians with vastly different beliefs live under one roof for a week to confront the controversial topics of their faith. They will grapple with what makes a good Christian, and the role religion plays in modern life.” When later describing the experience Chong said, "“Some of the conversations were really intense. And I think that’s to be expected: some of these issues are so personal for people, and go to the heart of people’s backgrounds and hurts they’ve experienced.”
Personal life
Steve is married to Naomi Chong and together they have four children, two boys and two girls.
