Brent Fulton

Brent Fulton

Brent Fulton is the founder of ChinaSource.

Dr. Fulton served as the first president of ChinaSource until 2019. Prior to his service with ChinaSource, he served from 1995 to 2000 as the managing director of the Institute for Chinese Studies at Wheaton College. From 1987 to 1995 he served as founding US director of China Ministries International, and from 1985 to 1986 as the English publications editor for the Chinese Church Research Center in Hong Kong.

Dr. Fulton holds MA and PhD degrees in political science from the University of Southern California and a BA in radio-TV-film from Messiah College.

An avid China watcher, Dr. Fulton has written and taught extensively on the church in China and on Chinese social and political phenomena. He is the author of China's Urban Christians: A Light That Cannot Be Hidden and co-authored China's Next Generation: New China, New Church, New World with Luis Bush.

Dr. Fulton and his wife, Jasmine, previously lived in Hong Kong from 2006 to 2017. They currently reside in northern California.

He is currently facilitating a network of member care professionals serving missionaries sent out from China. He also consults with other organizations on the impact of China's religious policy.

Blog Entries

Unpacking the Shifting Narrative of Christianity in China

Sinicization, Chinafication, or Zhongguohua?

Sinicization, Chinafication, or Zhongguohua? Defining the term in question goes to the heart of understanding China’s current policy and its effect upon religious believers.

Blog Entries

How Not to End Persecution

Research and advocacy organizations who have kept the world informed of rights violations in China and other countries are now laying off staff, resulting in decreased visibility into the lives of those who suffer for their faith.

Blog Entries

More than Conquerors

Open Doors has released its latest World Watch List, the annual roster of countries where persecution of Christians is most extreme. China moved up in the rankings, from 19th to 15th place among the 50 nations profiled.

Blog Entries

A Story Well Lived

Rudolf was all of these—a dear brother in Christ who left an indelible impression on those with whom he served. His vision and unstoppable determination to seek the expansion of Christ’s kingdom in China were instrumental in shaping ChinaSource into the organization it is today.

Blog Entries

Pursued by Goodness

A Giving Tuesday Message from Founder Brent Fulton

As we close out 2024, I am filled with gratitude—for God’s goodness that has pursued us, for faithful partners like you, and for the lives being transformed through his love. Today on this Giving Tuesday, I invite you to join us. Your partnership helps us connect people, ideas, and resources to advance God’s work in China and beyond.

Blog Entries

Anticipating Hope

In just a few weeks we will celebrate Messiah’s birth, remembering the day when hope entered the world, forever changing the course of human history. Many of our China stories have a similar anticipatory quality. Whatever our stories may promise, our hope for China is more than looking forward to an ideal future.

Blog Entries

Who’s at the Table?

Rather than assuming their long experience, carefully honed strategies, and ready resources will carry the day, leaders from traditional sending nations need to learn to listen to others at the table whose ideas may seem foreign, perhaps even misdirected, and whose available resources pale in comparison to the perceived task at hand.

ChinaSource Perspective

A Shared Hope

May the recurring message of hope amidst difficulty conveyed in these articles spark the imaginations and encourage the hearts of all who seek to stand faithfully with their brothers and sisters in China.

Blog Entries

Closing the Gaps

Much of the program at last week’s Fourth Lausanne Congress was structured around 25 issue areas, or gaps. Yet some have pointed out that this granular approach to the overall mission effort ignores the context of each of the gaps, as well as the ways in which they interrelate.

Blog Entries

China’s Banned Bestseller

The availability of the Bible in China has long been a contentious topic. Whether it’s China “rewriting the Bible,” scripture apps disappearing from the Internet, or crackdowns on unofficial publishing, what we hear about the Good News in China is often anything but good news. A new book by Cynthia Oh suggests a different narrative. […]