conversations: faith + life

Priority Living with Sherol Chen

Monday, April 12th, 7:00-8:30 PM PST

We certainly live in challenging times but challenging times are part of the human struggle. Join us for a message of hope from Sherol Chen as she shares how faith has helped her navigate real-world struggles and personal self-doubts.

Sherol works on applied research for AI-enabled believable characters at Google. Sherol advocated for Machine Learning for Cloud enterprises, worked in Research at Google Brain for Machine Learning in Music and Creativity for project Magenta, and built algorithmic search results for YouTube.

“At a very young age, video games taught me that perseverance was a way to escape lesser circumstances. In video games, the main character often faces some of the most tragic beginnings. In fact, some of the most hopeless situations start protagonists on their Hero’s Journey to right the wrongs of the world. And if they did not quit, they could fail a million times knowing that a better world was possible.”

“When I was 10, I had lost all my hope and, in a moment of asking why life is worth living, I had one of my most vivid experiences to date. What I learned was that people weren’t happy because they lived primarily for themselves. This is not what we are meant for. Helping even five people in my lifetime would be worthy of living.”

“There’s a message I carry that no one who has lived before or after me will have, and the world would miss out if I didn’t exist. Finally, that there will be others when I get there. I keep finding myself in places I’d never imagined I’d go. I feel like a foreigner in most circles, but regardless, I dedicate all my work to God for giving me my purpose and the will to overcome all the challenges/failures life brings and to keep trying for the best possible world in my lifetime.”

Sherol is also a founding member of the Google Inter-Belief Network and served as an inaugural steering committee member for the Google Christian Fellowship. Her favorite accomplishment to date is the band she founded in grad school, appropriately named the Terminal Degree Jazz Band.Additionally, Sherol leads Passion Talks, an intellectual faith movement that seeks to answer both why and how to live for a better world.

Matthew 6:33
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.

Priority Living

God
(Matt. 22:37-38)
Family
(1Tim. 3:4-5)
Work
(Colossians 3:23)
Community
(Acts 2:42-45)

 

what is priority living?

A monthly, interactive gathering at the Capital Club in downtown San Jose, (but currently virtual due to Covid19) featuring marketplace speakers, networking, and small group interactions to nourish and equip people for life and work.

why does priority living exist?

Silicon Valley is the cradle of technology, startups, VC funding, and innovation. While none of these are evils in themselves, money and notoriety often drive their success. As a result, money and success are gods in the Bay Area. Tech companies and businesses set the pace and culture in the Valley. Real estate is ridiculous. People hustle to scratch out a living. And distractions abound. 

Priority Living exists to help people reorder their lives putting GOD first, FAMILY second, WORK third, and COMMUNITY 4th. 

HOW DO YOU HELP PEOPLE PRIORITIZE THEIR LIVES?

  1. TEACHING – Every month we bring in top notch communicators whose faith is mature and practical. We believe the priorities of life are clearly outlined in scripture. Through strong biblical teaching we believe we can reorder our lives to reflect the priorities of the Bible and in turn help others to do the same. 
  2. MENTORING/MODEL FAITH IN CHRIST – We are relational people. We need each other. No man or woman is an island. Isolation causes depression and anxiety. By mentoring and modeling our faith in Christ, we provide an environment of love, acceptance, and accountability. 
  3. IMMERSION/SERVICE – Sometimes we just need to jump right in. That’s the best way to learn and grow. As Jesus sent out his 12 disciples two by two to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and bring goodness into the world, we will do the same. We affirm the Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded of you.”