Those of us involved in China ministry since the early 1980s have been eye-witnesses of China’s rapid changes on the surface. As China opens again after COVID-19, I believe we are asking the same question again—what is our role as Christians from the West in China?
It has been almost five years since I returned to China. From the world’s perspective, I have shifted to a new field that seems like a “downgrade.” However, without this experience, I would never have discovered that I am suited to be a teacher. Reflecting on God's blessings in every trial, I have no regrets.
When our own cultural perspective is extremely limited, our capacity for ministering cross-culturally will likewise be significantly constrained. A perspective growing out of spiritual maturity—more and more of us and fewer and fewer of them—will go a long way toward effective ministering cross-culturally.
In a recent presentation by Daryl Ireland on early twentieth-century Chinese Christian posters, a wealth of insights emerged that illuminate the intersection of faith and culture in China. As Chinese Christians continue to navigate the challenges of their cultural and political environment, the lessons from history can serve as both a warning and an inspiration.
The Lausanne Covenant included Christians on both sides of disagreements who might otherwise be divided. Instead, the leaders of the congress sought to create a covenantal community across such differences and in service of a shared mission for “the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”
The finish line of the Great Commission is not merely evangelism or church planting; it is to bring about the obedience of faith among all peoples, resulting in healthy, biblical, local churches that display the glory of Christ in their communities and beyond.
Jesus became real and trustworthy, not just a man anymore, but God in the flesh. However, the burden of sin, the condemnation of conscience, and the bondage of opium addiction became increasingly difficult for him to overcome.
God finally led me through his gates and into his courts, where I came to understand that he is not only the answer to the social issues I sought to resolve but also my personal Savior, my eternal Father in heaven, my dearest friend in spirit, and I, his beloved child.
Even before the civil unrest and the pandemic, Hong Kong was already known for its sky-high housing prices and tough conditions for raising kids. Still, God guided us on a journey of grace and reconciliation, calling us to stay and serve his church.
The LGBTQ community is the new unreached people group. Learn from Jesus to enter their community with companionship and share the gospel with them.
It is our responsibility to actively seek the opportunities for building shalom and to pray earnestly for the authorities until we see the alternative doors opened for holistically blessing the people in China.
Take a trip through the archives and learn about education in China and how Christian families are making difficult decisions about how to follow God’s lead in schooling decisions for their children.