Engaging Chinese Students in the UK

The Annual Wave: A New Journey Begins

Every September, there’s a new wave of young Chinese students crossing the ocean to study in the UK, forming a unique bridge between two cultures and opening a window to God’s work in China. Despite the pandemic and other challenges of recent years, the number of Chinese students applying to the UK has risen by 55% over the last five years (2019–2023). This September, I joined this journey, arriving in London to participate in Oasis Church, a missional community planted by the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission (COCM) and dedicated to serving Chinese students.

When I first arrived, a friend who hosted me shared, “When you’re abroad, you might find friends you wouldn’t often connect with back home.” A former international student herself, she’s been working and living in London for several years. At first, I didn’t fully grasp what she meant, but my experience over these two months has proven her words true. In a foreign country, especially a large city like London, there’s a shared desire among many to find genuine friends and a sense of belonging, making it easier to connect and fellowship in ways that might not happen back home. This open door is also an opportunity for evangelism. With the freedom to explore diverse cultures and beliefs, many Chinese students are more open-minded about Christianity, seeing it as a part of “Western” culture, and this often marks the beginning of true spiritual transformation.

Building Community: Welcoming Events Showing God’s Love

From mid-September to October, Oasis held various orientation activities to help new arrivals settle into life in London, find a sense of belonging, and, more importantly, find the one true Lord of their life. Events included mooncake-making for Mid-Autumn Festival, British afternoon teas in local homes, badminton games, and welcoming parties. These activities brought together hundreds of Chinese students, with a highlight being the mooncake-making during the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

In China, this holiday usually involves family gatherings and sharing mooncakes, but as the tradition becomes more commercialized, many young people in big cities rarely experience its deeper meaning of connection and togetherness. Here in the UK, away from the familiar culture, the festival takes on a unique significance, fostering an unparalleled sense of closeness. The gathering allowed students to form new friendships, engage in faith-based activities, and experience Christian fellowship. Preparing for this event was a big undertaking—we wrapped hundreds of sandwiches, prepared fruit, kneaded mooncake dough, filled welcome bags, handed out leaflets, and promoted the event on social media—but every effort was worthwhile.

Witnessing God’s Work Amid Challenges

Yet, it’s not without challenges. The UK, though steeped in Christian history, is now largely secularized. Many churches here have become historical sites or places for occasional ceremonies rather than thriving faith communities, leaving limited resources for evangelical work. For Chinese students, the UK is often a temporary stop—most stay for just one to three years before returning home, with few managing to secure work visas due to tightening immigration policies. This limited timeframe underscores the urgency of our mission: to reach out quickly, offering friendship, practical support, and spiritual guidance before students establish stable routines. September and October, when new arrivals are most open and unsettled, become critical. By offering assistance with cultural adaptation and building genuine friendships, we can help students connect with God and local Chinese churches. After one or several years of fellowship and discipleship, they’re better prepared to bring their faith back to China. One ongoing challenge for the ministry, however, is the annual cycle of farewells and new arrivals. Just as seeds begin to sprout, the ground needs to be replanted again, making the work feel like Sisyphus endlessly pushing a rock up a hill.

Despite these challenges, God is constantly at work, even if unseen at times. We simply need to observe, participate faithfully, and trust in his timing. When I first arrived, I witnessed the baptism of a recent graduate preparing to return to China. She had come for study in the UK, connected with our church through friends, and, drawn by the community, found faith in Christ. Now, as she heads home, she faces the challenge of adapting her faith to a different cultural context and the pressures of finding a job in an unpromising market. This underscores another question: how can we support returning students to remain rooted in faith as they transition into professional life? There’s much to explore in bridging overseas ministry with support networks in China.

Observations on Connecting with Chinese Gen Z Students

In connecting with this new generation of Chinese students, I’m discovering that shared interests and experiences can open meaningful doors for ministry. Here are a few quick observations I’ve gathered so far:

MBTI: Many Gen Z students we connect with are greatly interested in the MBTI personality test, which categorizes people into 16 types. Often used as an icebreaker, it frequently sparks discussion in social settings. In today’s fast-paced, information-rich world, there’s a noticeable desire among these students to look inward, exploring their identities and beliefs. MBTI provides a natural entry point for deeper conversations around values and spirituality, enabling us to introduce faith and discipleship in a way that resonates personally with each young heart.

Board Games: Before our Sunday services, we have a happy hour with board games and homemade treats, offering students a relaxing break from their studies. This space is crucial for building relationships and, eventually, leading into spiritual conversations.

Second-Generation Believers: Many of the students we meet are “second-generation believers” raised in Christian households in China. Studying abroad provides them a chance to explore faith independently, often leading to a re-evaluation of their family’s beliefs. Peer fellowship and relatable pastoral care are key in helping them turn “family faith” into a personal relationship with God.

God’s truth remains constant across generations. He speaks to each one in unique ways while sharing the same message of salvation. What is he saying to the 150,000 Chinese students in the UK today? How can we meet their needs and invite them into God’s kingdom? These are my reflections after just a short time in this harvest field, and I am confident that God will continue to work, inviting us to join him in his mission.

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