Editor’s note: This article is a response to “Back to the Fold” from the Winter 2024 issue of ChinaSource Quarterly. We encourage you to read it before diving into this piece. We are grateful for the ways our content resonates with readers and sparks meaningful reflections. If you have thoughts or insights you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. See our Submissions page for guidelines and topics of interest.
I read the article “Back to the Fold” with great admiration and deep reflection. The author’s insights into the complex journey of returning to China after experiencing spiritual growth abroad resonated with me profoundly. I deeply appreciate the author’s honesty about the challenges faced and the decision to embrace God’s will rather than running away from adversity. I wholeheartedly agree with the notion that, as Christians, our calling is not to escape the world but to engage with it, sharing the light of Christ wherever we are placed.
The author’s message strikes me as highly relevant, particularly in the context of today’s world. The notion that faith is most practically lived out in our daily interactions and in our work environment is something that I strongly support. In the workplace, we encounter people who may not share our beliefs, and it is precisely in this space that we can be salt and light to those around us. The workplace is often a mission field in disguise—filled with people who have not yet encountered Christ—and it presents abundant opportunities to share the gospel and build meaningful relationships. It is not just a place to work, but a unique opportunity to represent the love and grace of God in practical ways.
One of the most compelling aspects of the author’s experience is the realization that being a Christian is not about withdrawing from society but about engaging with it. Jesus himself came to seek and save the lost—not because he needed saving, but because those in the world without him were in desperate need. In the same way, our mission as Christians is not to isolate ourselves from the secular world but to be part of it, bringing the hope and healing of the gospel into the places where it is needed most. By building relationships with people who do not yet know Christ, we gain insight into their perspectives, concerns, and struggles, which in turn allows us to engage with them in a more meaningful and empathetic way.
Moreover, this process of being part of the world allows us to understand the world better, not just intellectually but emotionally and relationally. When we build genuine friendships with non-believers, we gain a deeper understanding of their lives, their challenges, and their hopes. This understanding enables us to relate to them on a human level, which is often the key to sharing the gospel effectively. We do not evangelize from a place of superiority but from a place of compassion, having walked alongside them, listened to their stories, and shared in their joys and sorrows.
The article also made me reflect on my own journey. Having studied in a seminary and learned much about the Word of God, I too am not in a rush to enter full-time ministry immediately. After spending over ten years outside of China, I feel the need to reconnect with the current generation and the realities of the workplace in China. The world has changed significantly during my absence, and I believe it is essential to understand the current cultural and societal context before deciding on my next steps. I plan to spend some time working in the marketplace, engaging with people in their everyday lives, and learning from them. It is only after gaining this deeper understanding that I will consider a transition into full-time ministry.
I truly believe that understanding the needs and experiences of people, especially in the workplace, will better equip me to serve them in ministry. The workplace provides not only opportunities for personal growth but also for kingdom work. It is a place where we can be authentic witnesses, living out the values of the kingdom of God in a world that is often far removed from them. Through our work, we can demonstrate integrity, humility, and love, becoming beacons of light in a dark world.
In this sense, I fully support the author’s perspective on returning to China and engaging with society as a Christian. It is easy to become disillusioned or discouraged by the challenges of living out our faith in a secular environment, but it is precisely through these challenges that we grow in character and faith. Just as the author found strength and purpose in returning to China and embracing the complexities of life there, I too find a deep sense of calling in the idea of returning to the workplace before pursuing full-time ministry.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly agree with the author’s approach to returning to the fold. It is a reminder that the work of the gospel is not just about church programs or formal ministry roles but about how we live our lives day by day, engaging with the world around us in meaningful ways. As Christians, we are called to be present in the world, not to escape from it. Our work, relationships, and interactions are all opportunities to reflect Christ’s love and grace to a world in need. I believe this is the path that will ultimately lead to deeper spiritual growth and greater impact on the kingdom of God.
Image credit: CHUTTERSNAP via Unsplash
Rex Chen
Rex Chen is an independent evangelist in mainland China, who is a graduate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and The Master’s University. He is also a professional equity & forex trader.View Full Bio
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