Adoption—a foundational metaphor of the Christian faith and a challenging topic in the world, especially when intertwined with China’s one-child policy era, international complications, and issues of identity for adoptees. In this collection from the archives, we’ve pulled together reflections, book reviews, and analysis to open up our perspective on adoption from China.
Keep ReadingFrom the desk of the guest editor.
The author delves into the history of how Pentecostalism came to China in the late nineteenth century. He introduces us to early missionaries—including women—Chinese leaders, and revivals.
The Root of China’s Growing Youth Unemployment Crisis (September 18, 2023, Council on Foreign Relations) Young Chinese look overwhelmingly to the service sector, which employs half the national workforce, for jobs. And so new stimulus-driven opportunities in fields such as carpentry and bricklaying hold no interest for graduates in areas such as literature and computer science.
From Streets to Pages: Inside the Life of a Beijing Courier (September 13, 2023, Sixth Tone) In his latest book “Beijing Courier,” Hu Anyan recounts challenges and heartwarming encounters from his days working as a courier that helped him discover the true value of life.
Is China's economy a 'ticking time bomb'? (September 1, 2023, BBC) The past six months has brought a stream of bad news for China's economy: slow growth, record youth unemployment, low foreign investment, weak exports and currency, and a property sector in crisis. US President Joe Biden described the world's second-largest economy as "a ticking time bomb", predicting growing discontent in the country.
Measuring Religion in China: Christianity (August 30, 2023, Pew Research Center) There is a range of estimates for the number of Christians in China, partly because different researchers use varying sources and methods, and partly because some analyses make adjustments to account for limitations in survey and government data.
Adoption—a foundational metaphor of the Christian faith and a challenging topic in the world, especially when intertwined with China’s one-child policy era, international complications, and issues of identity for adoptees. In this collection from the archives, we’ve pulled together reflections, book reviews, and analysis to open up our perspective on adoption from China.
Andy and Sandy's life-altering journey began with adopting a baby girl from China. Unbeknownst to them, this moment would shape their family's identity, guiding them on a path of cultural exploration. Over time, they welcomed more children into their family, each with a unique bond to Chinese culture. Through deliberate efforts, they cultivated a profound Chinese American identity. Today, as their children have matured, they reflect on how memories, experiences, relationships, and values have molded their identity.
If you are looking for a tidy answer to the question of how many Christians there are in China… then you will be disappointed. That’s because this is the first time Pew has (sort of) come out and admitted that they don’t really know and that it’s almost impossible to really know.
Language is culture. Our mother tongue keeps our cultural heritage alive. The mother tongue helps us stay connected to our traditional, cultural values and our roots.
We are all members of the body of Christ. And while there are appropriate times to leave a particular ministry or church to find another, when the reason for leaving is related to conflict triggered by differences, please pause, and first consider taking biblical peacemaking steps.
Please join us in praying for this burgeoning missions movement from Asia and for the many conference participants who made commitments to give their lives for the kingdom.
[A group of believers] later distributed supplies and meals to the people who were being relocated. [One sister] shared, "As we engage in rebuilding our hometown after the flood, we aspire to provide assistance according to our capabilities for whatever is required."
What is your inner geography and how is the Spirit of God moving in your life? Spiritual companionship may provide a way forward for transformation from the inside out, leading to a lifegiving path upon which all of us are invited to walk.
I conferred with others …about the idea of creating a free website designed to help translators of theological materials have a common resource from which to determine the best translation of theological terms and names. Ten years later, Shenxuecihui.com came online.
For the fifth and last session of summer school, we’re following Chinese cross-cultural workers as they seek to fulfill the great commission. We’re also sitting at the feet of several missiologists as they discuss and debate the challenges facing the Chinese church as it sends its people out.
Thankfully, God loves us with actions and in truth whether we are at odds with him or not. Investing in a relationship with someone we are at odds with, assuming it is not an abusive relationship, can reflect that same type of love and have significant impact.
Join us in Alhambra, CA on Thursday, August 31 for a ChinaSource Connect event for fellowship, worship, and an update on God's incredible work with his church in China.
Chinese Christians have been active in evangelizing their neighbors and fellow citizens, including ethnic minorities, for decades. In this fourth session of ChinaSource Summer School, we have rounded up a collection of articles, including case studies, theological meditations, and missiological analysis.
We are awakened and attuned with the universe that resonates with the sound, fragrance, and power of God’s creativity. Then our hearts may be in sync with the heartbeat of God, and we are able to receive the outpouring of divine love and creativity through creation.
One old-timer (a Bible-smuggler…) told me... “There is a lot possible when we function within the law. We can still head in all kinds of directions. There are always open doors in every country no matter how ‘closed’ they are. We just have to find them.”
Gaining a true view of ourselves from God is humbling and freeing and can spur us on to apologize for our contributions to conflict.