NewSong Bangkok was a dream that began in 1993. Before we started NewSong Irvine, Dave put together a strategic plan to launch a hub church in Southeast Asia. This was when our church didn’t have any members! Now NewSong has grown to around 3,500 attendees! But that’s not the important number NewSong is committed to being what we call a “Third Culture Church.”

Over the years, God began bringing Dave and others to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Phuket and Roi Et. The first time Dave came he met the ever energetic Jim Gustafson. Jim is currently considered “one of the most significant missionaries in Asia.” They got along amazingly but then went do doing their own things.

But then God started stirring things in both their hearts to possibly work together. There was a sense through the churches we were connected with we could see a powerful movement unfold that would transform communities, cities and countries.

Dave came again with a group of guys known as “the Misfits” (guys that are screwed up!) in 2003. This time as they listened to the complex problems in Thailand, Dave’s heart started pumping. God seemed to say to him, “This is what you’ve been missing. I’ve called you to be a part of things that you can’t figure out. . . in that way, I get the credit.” It was at this trip that each of our members experienced a deep level of community. Things were shared there that were never shared before. This highly successful group of businessmen and professionals were broken. From that time in Thailand, these men forged strong friendships and values that have now impacted literally thousands of other people.

Emerging from their friendship were six values that are the bedrock of NewSong Bangkok:

• Fun—We can’t take our selves to seriously! Laughter is always a sign of great families. Intrinsic to NewSong’s flavor is the ability to have crazy fun!
• Music—We love great music! From Hip Hop, Rock to Classical we enjoy raising our voices!
• Real —You don’t have to hide here. You can be as you are.
• Bold and Dangerous—We feel we’re not called to manage life but live it to it’s fullest.
• Cause—Caring for those who are not seen, those who don’t have a voice is our mission.
• Third Culture—We’re a community of people who don’t embrace just one culture but can weave in and out of multiple cultures. Our diversity isn’t based on skin color but on our ability to contextualize in diverse contexts.