Readers’ Choice: Most-Read Posts of 2024
What were your favorite posts from the last year? We’ve rounded up our most-read articles for a look back at the best of 2024.
Ministry
Latest
A Year of Unity and Anticipation
This past year has been extraordinary for ChinaSource—a season marked by remarkable kingdom partnerships and unity that point directly to God’s faithfulness. Reflecting on the milestones of 2024, one phrase captures the essence of this journey: “unprecedented territory.”
Ministering Cross-Culturally: A 150 Percent Person
We can work toward becoming what Sherwood Lingenfelter described as a 150 percent person, a person who retains 75 percent of their birth culture and adopts 75 percent of their new culture. Such a person becomes more than they used to, able to minister cross-culturally with greater empathy and impact.
Returnee Ministry: Reflecting on Developments
The opportunities remain significant for the church and international student ministries to reach and disciple Chinese students and scholars, the majority of whom (about 80 percent) will go back to China.
From “Run” to Return
We long to see returnees not just survive their transition home, but return well, engage with and get involved in the local church, and be ambassadors for Christ to their families, friends, colleagues, and the world.
The Challenges and Strategies of Returnee Ministry in the New Era
Returnee ministry is clearly for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) and stands as a God-given opportunity in this generation. We thank the Lord that we can have a part in witnessing his marvelous work.
From Beersheba Back to Haran
Jesus Christ is the true hope of Christian returnees who have experienced loneliness, who have struggled to save themselves, and who have faced disappointments and despair.
Onesimus, Philemon, and Paul
Onesimus went back to Colossae as a powerful agent of change, demonstrating the gospel’s power to redeem and break down barriers. May those returning to China from around the world also be used powerfully for God’s kingdom.
Back to the Fold
In truth, it is always easier to run away than to face challenges but fleeing from difficulties is not God's will. I thank the Lord for protecting and keeping me in my work and in helping me find a church, and for giving me confidence and joy to rebuild my life.
Chinese Christian Returnees in Late Qing Dynasty and Early Republic
It is important for returnee Christians to ask God for wisdom as they follow Peter’s admonition to early Christians who were struggling: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Preparing Returnees to Go Home Well
We know that our love for God, for his kingdom in China, and for returning Chinese Christians demands that we equip our returnees with all that they need to remain faithful to Jesus.
![A young Chinese man reads the Bible sitting outside. May we welcome [Chinese international students], love them, teach them about Jesus, and disciple those who believe. May we prepare them well to return and may the churches in China prepare well to receive them.](https://media.chinasource.org/uploads/2024/12/QAR-2024-04-CSP-9-ChinaSource-Chinese-Christianity-Returnees-International-Students-Sino-US-Relations-300x150.jpg)
Returning from a Sojourn
May we welcome [Chinese international students], love them, teach them about Jesus, and disciple those who believe. May we prepare them well to return and may the churches in China prepare well to receive them.