Lillian Yee
Lillian Yee is a global ministry developer for MomCo Asia and was the 2024 MomCo Global Heart of Service Award recipient. She has been instrumental in MomCo’s growth throughout the continent of Asia. This month, she helped organize the first annual MomCo Asian Leadership Summit. We are not disclosing the exact location or date for the summit due to regional security concerns.
1. Tell us a little bit about how your journey with The MomCo began. How did you first hear about The MomCo?
When we lived in Beijing, I looked for a moms’ group at church but was told there wasn’t one. With a 6-month-old, I was exhausted — feedings, diaper changes and Sunday services felt like a blur. I asked about a weekday group, but nothing existed, so I decided to start one. While planning, an older friend from Europe — who became our first mentor mom — introduced us to MomCo (formerly known as MOPS). She had been part of a group when her kids were little, and it had helped her so much. The rest is history!
2. What does it look like to be the global ministry developer for Asia? In what countries do you operate in and what kind of support do you provide for leaders or meetups?
Operating in Asia comes with unique challenges, especially since 80% of our groups are in sensitive regions where organized religion is prohibited. In nonsensitive countries, staying connected is easy with technology, but for our sensitive groups, the most common communication platforms aren’t a viable option because they’re blocked or monitored.
To work around this, we’ve structured our teams strategically, adding an extra layer of regional coordinators to support group health. Our regional leaders conduct biannual, in-person visits and core training. Still, we know this isn’t enough — since lack of connection leads to burnout. That’s why the Asian Leadership Summit is so crucial; it’s a rare chance to pour into leaders who have been isolated for so long.
3. How does a meetup in a country in Asia look or feel different from a meetup in the United States?
MomCo Meetups can happen anywhere — parks, coffee shops, schools and even remote tribal huts. While similar to US groups, meetups in Asia are smaller and run differently. We focus on three core values: empowering moms, building community and sharing Jesus’ love indirectly.
Most groups have just one coordinator and a couple of discussion leaders. There are no finance or welcome teams, so leaders juggle many roles. In sensitive areas, openly sharing about Jesus isn’t safe. Instead, faith discussions happen separately on different days, with shifting locations to protect everyone involved.
4. Tell us about the Asian Leadership Summit. Why is this event so important?
Connecting with our core leaders is tough due to security challenges, and after a year or more of leading on their own, they can start to feel exhausted. This Summit is a chance to reignite their passion and equip them with practical training to keep going strong.
Most of these leaders are first-generation Christians, often without family or church support since many local churches lack senior pastors for discipleship. For them, MomCo leadership training isn’t just helpful — it’s the only guidance they have on how to lead effectively.
5. Organizing a Leadership Summit for an entire region is a huge undertaking! What made you want to take on such a challenge?
Our leaders need ongoing support to keep their groups strong. In 2023, I remember reading about political turmoil in Asia — friends imprisoned for their faith and communities locked down. God gave me a vision of how the Enemy uses politics to drain our leaders spiritually, and I knew we had to act. I’m so grateful MomCo backed us, and for every sponsor and prayer that made this possible. It’s hard work, but it’s God’s work — and I’m honored to be part of it.
6. What do you think the lasting impacts of the Summit will be in Asia?
Our vision is for the children of MomCo attendees to grow up knowing Jesus, carrying their faith forward and impacting their generation. It’s amazing to think that what moms learn through MomCo can shape their kids’ lives in such a powerful way. We also dream of the day when MomCo is so deeply rooted in local communities that it’s no longer seen as a Western ministry, but as a thriving local movement making a real impact.