Jeff Chu
byjeffchu.com
Jeff Chu
@byjeffchu.com
Writer, teacher, author, cook, preacher, ex-farmhand | Tristan's husband | new book: Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand, coming March 2025 | ed-at-large, Travel+Leisure | PhD student, Stellenbosch Univ. | I am trying to be hopeful
I'm beginning to think that most American Christians are functionally Pelagian when it comes to themselves but regard "the other," however they might define that, as essentially depraved.
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Can't wait for this conversation on Sunday! Please join us if you're in the area.
Ann Arbor area folks: I’ll be talking with @byjeffchu.com about his insightful memoir “Good Soil: The Education of An Accidental Farmhand” at the First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor this Sunday (10/12) at 2:00pm. Free and open to the public. www.fumc-a2.org/event/jeff-c...
Jeff Chu Book Talk: Good Soil | First United Methodist Church
www.fumc-a2.org
October 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
what’s funny is that if pro-cuomo centrist democrats were less myopic they might see that mamdani was running the kind of campaign that could help rebuild the party brand — accessible with an outsider persona and a focus on “kitchen table” issues.
June 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
A gorgeous sight, especially juxtaposed against the crowds who showed up for protests all across the country.
One block over from the White House: the aspirational security line setup
June 15, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.
Bragg Soldiers Who Cheered Trump's Political Attacks While in Uniform Were Checked for Allegiance, Appearance
As Trump viciously attacked his perceived political foes, he whipped up boos from the gathered troops directed at California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.
www.military.com
June 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Loved every second talking with @chrisdstedman.bsky.social. Thanks to the team at Magers & Quinn—what a great bookstore!—and to all who showed up amidst the thunderstorms.
Had the absolute best time chatting with @byjeffchu.com last night about his wonderful new book GOOD SOIL. Thank you so much to everyone who came!
June 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
This country.... We are truly not far from the Hunger Games come to grotesque life.
Kristi Noem has been working with the producer of “Duck Dynasty” to pitch a reality TV show—titled “The American”—where immigrants will compete in a string of challenges across the country “for the honor of fast-tracking their way to U.S. citizenship,” according to a new report.
Noem Plots Reality Show Where Migrants Fight for Citizenship
A Homeland Security official told the Daily Beast that the show is in the early stages of vetting, though approval has not been given—or denied.
www.thedailybeast.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Every few days, some ex-evangelical in my feed points fingers and says, "That's not Christianity." It's tiresome and also untrue. Christianity has multiple strands. Owning the harm *we* have done and acknowledging the injustice our family of faith still perpetuates would be more compelling.
May 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
I know Pope Leo XIV to be a kind, open, humble, modest, decisive, hard-working, straightforward, trustworthy, and down-to-earth man. A brilliant choice. May God bless him.
May 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
A Chicago Pope implies the existence of an MLA Pope and APA Pope
May 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"Peace be with you. This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.... God loves us, all of us. Evil will not prevail." —Pope Leo XIV

www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...
Pope Leo XIV: 'Peace be with all of you' - Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful and the world invoking peace and pledging to work for a united Church faithful to Jesus and to the Gospel.
www.vaticannews.va
May 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
Cassocks are red
Conclaves are dope
Wake up babe we got a
May 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Love this story.
May 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
My deep gratitude to @kcrwevan.bsky.social for having me on @kcrw.com's "Good Food" to talk about "Good Soil." It was a delight to talk about regenerating the land, how my father's people cook chicken, and, of course, my late grandmother's fried rice.
Jeff Chu mediates on life's biggest questions while working the soil
Jeff Chu abandoned his career as a journalist to work the land and attend seminary, tilling up life lessons as well as a sense of calm.
www.kcrw.com
April 12, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Grateful to be on my friend Kate Bowler's podcast today, talking about compost, cooking, being small, and why Mary Oliver sometimes is super-annoying.

katebowler.com/podcasts/goo...
Jeff Chu: Good Soil
katebowler.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
A few words about the moon, the flowers, and the people who help me remember not to give up all hope. (Gift link via @nytopinion.nytimes.com.) www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/o...
Opinion | The Blood Worm Moon and the Mustard Seed (Gift Article)
Despite our worst actions, nature still delivers us miracles, above and below.
www.nytimes.com
March 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
Stand up for Mahmoud Khalil like you hope a stranger would stand up for you. Because the way this administration is going, you may one day need it. Call your reps now, no matter what their political affiliation is.
Not hearing enough noise about Mahmoud Khalil from folks who like to quote the "first they came for" poem. Y'all get that the point is that they came for controversial, easily othered groups first, right? Now, it's trans people, immigrants, and student activists. Your turn will come. Fight now.
March 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
We can't wait to welcome award-winning journalist @byjeffchu.com to Houston to celebrate his new book, GOOD SOIL! Jeff Chu will be in conversation with @sarahbessey.bsky.social.

We highly recommend this book and hope you'll join us! Get your tickets now: buff.ly/43g1EVl
March 8, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I am so grieved by this speech, full of false witness and loathsome rhetoric, arrogance and attacks on the marginalized. It seems right and good that a penitential season should begin tomorrow.
March 5, 2025 at 2:51 AM
So we finally watched "Conclave." Beautifully shot. Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini were great; Stanley Tucci too.
But that conclusion? Come on. Habemus a ridiculous ending.
March 2, 2025 at 2:08 AM
A+ to these protest signs.
Wow: JD Vance is apparently skiing in Vermont this weekend and the locals aren’t having it. Thousands have lined the streets in protest.
March 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Houston: Please come and hang out with @sarahbessey.bsky.social and me!
We're thrilled to welcome award-winning journalist @byjeffchu.com to Houston to celebrate his new book, GOOD SOIL! Jeff Chu will be in conversation with @sarahbessey.bsky.social.

We highly recommend this book and hope you'll join us! Get your tickets now: buff.ly/43g1EVl
March 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
"Greatness" does not shame or bully, lie or demand gratitude.
March 1, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Reposted by Jeff Chu
"To feel the bedrock of your theology shifting might sound abstract, but it’s almost impossible to underestimate the terror it brings for someone who has made this their whole life." Remarkable and unusual essay: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | How My Dad Reconciled His God and His Gay Son
How did my dad go from hating homosexuality to imploding his church by embracing me? His journal entries show how he changed his mind.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
"Good Soil" Book Tour, Part I! Would love to see you at one of these stops. Details at byjeffchu.com/tour.
February 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM