ChinaSource Quarterlies

A Call to Partnership in Chinese Returnee Ministry

Vol. 18, No. 3


Articles in this Issue

Editorials

When Sojourners Return

The guest editor's point of view.

Lead Article

The Need for Chinese Students to Prepare for Their Return

The conflicts and challenges facing returnees as they arrive back in their homeland can be enormous. Culture shock, family matters, work situations, and church issues all contrive to make it unlikely that Chinese Christians returning home will maintain a relationship with Christ if they try to go it alone. The importance of preparation for their return is evident.

Supporting Article

Returnees Committing to Church in China

Committing to a church in China can be difficult for returnees. In this article the author gives some reasons why and then goes on to provide suggestions as to how churches overseas as well as churches in China can help returnees overcome these difficulties. Finally, he identifies attitudes that, if embraced by returnees, will help them to commit to a church once they are back in their homeland.

Supporting Article

Functioning as the Body to Build the Body

Working Together for Chinese Returnees

Many returnees have difficulty getting involved in a church once they return to China. The author looks at how agencies, churches, and individuals working together can help returnees become part of a church body. She also explores the benefits of working together internationally and concludes with the importance of partnerships and reasons they can be difficult.

View From the Wall

Returnee Ministry at Home and Abroad

Large numbers of Chinese students who have studied abroad are returning to their homeland. For those who have come to know Christ while overseas, many easily become lost to the church and Christ upon their return. While there are a variety of reasons for this, churches and organizations both overseas and in China need to cooperate to prevent this. The author gives some concrete suggestions of how this can be done.

Peoples of China

The Hook and the Cook

A Portrait of a Mainland Chinese Student in the UK

After following the 18-month journey of Xiao Mei as she studied in the UK, the author examines the importance of providing familiar cultural settings for Chinese students. Reducing the “cultural distance” allows students to experience Christ and become his disciples in a way that is not usually possible in an all English language and cultural setting.

Book Reviews

Understanding and Serving in the “New China”

A review of China’s Next Generation: New China, New Church, New World by Luis Bush, Brent Fulton, and a Christian Worker in China.

China is changing dramatically and rapidly—economically, socially, and culturally. These changes have affected the church as well. This book looks at the “New China” and the factors that have brought about the changes; it also examines how the church has entered this new society. Especially for those working with young people, who need to understand their mindset, this book provides a concise overview of key issues and influences.

Resource Corner

Resources for Returnees and Those Who Serve Them

Helpful books, websites, and downloads. 

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Image credit: Beijing Airport by Meng Zhang.
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Stuart

Stuart (pen name) plays chess as a hobby and befriends Chinese students in the UK. After living in Asia for nearly 11 years serving in returnee ministry, he completed a doctoral research project on the struggles of Chinese Christian returnees in which he documented how much help they have received by participating in returnee fellowship groups.View Full Bio