The Role of English-Speaking Chinese in Reaching the
Rev. Edwin Kong

When Dr. Thomas Wang founded the Chinese Christian Mission in 1961, he set the following as its mission statement: ?Reaching the Chinese to reach the world.? Reaching the Chinese, however, is simply the beginning. What about the world? The first generation of overseas Chinese has tended to focus on reaching the Chinese alone. We sent missionaries mostly to reach the Chinese. But when and how will we begin to share the responsibility for reaching the world with the gospel of Christ? I am convinced that an effective and efficient strategy will be to do so through the second or third generation of English-speaking Chinese who are born and raised overseas. Why? Because?

They are bi-lingual or tri-lingual
Language continues to be one of the greatest barriers in missions. Missionaries commonly study many years before being able to master the language of a foreign land. Yet English is one of the most commonly used languages in the world. Overseas-born Chinese in North America speak and write fluently in English and, therefore, can easily communicate the Gospel and Christian values in many parts of the world.

They are bi-cultural or multi-cultural
Born and raised in countries outside of China, they not only inherit the Chinese culture, but also adopt the cultures of their birthplaces. They are nurtured in multi-cultural societies. They are raised with other ethnic children in schools and playgrounds. They often work in multi-ethnic environments. Some marry inter-racially. Relating to others from different cultures becomes a natural skill for them.

They are well educated and skilled
21st century missions calls for more than preachers and evangelists. The doors to many countries remain closed to traditional missions and missionaries. Highly educated professionals can contribute significantly to the countries where they are called to serve. By witnessing Christ with prudence and discernment in these countries, they will be welcomed with open arms.

They tend to be more carefree and adventurous
The first generation of Chinese immigrants come to establish itself and to put down roots. They work hard to build homes and families. It is no small sacrifice for them to relinquish themselves moreover for overseas missions. On the other hand, their children are raised in stability and security. As a postmodern generation, they welcome change and challenge. They have different perspectives on the traditional values of education, career, home, marriage and financial sufficiency. They are less entangled by responsibility and more ready and free to respond to the call of the Lord ?to go?.

I appeal to all overseas Chinese churches, therefore, to put more emphasis on raising and recruiting English-speaking Chinese for cross-cultural missions. There will never be enough workers to reach all the Chinese, but we must share the responsibility for reaching all nations. Teach and preach missions in your English congregations. Encourage and support your members to join short-term missions trips. Pray for and guide their decision-making in relation to career missions. In so doing, it will not be long before we see a new breed of Chinese missionaries who will bear witness of Christ and reach all parts of the world to fulfill our mission statement and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Edwin Kong, Former Executive Director of CCM Canada. He has been leading teams of Canadian Born Chinese (CBC) to reach the British Born Chinese (BBC).