What is it about?
The flow of overseas Chinese presents an opportunity for churches and mission organizations to evangelize the Chinese. It also presents an opportunity for Chinese Christians to evangelize their new neighbors as they settle abroad. However, most of the diaspora Chinese have not heard of the gospel in the foreign hands. This paper explains the barriers that affect churches’ missional outreach to Chinese immigrants and also identifies several bridges that may facilitate outreach among these Chinese.
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Why is it important?
While language and cultural distance cause barriers between missionaries and diaspora Chinese in Africa, they can bridge the distance with some extra cultural knowledge and the help of mediators. With more exposure to cross-cultural strategies and issues related to contextualizing Christianity within Chinese culture, the Chinese in Africa can be effectively evangelized and discipled, and they may even disciple the locals in the same way.
Perspectives
I was grateful to interview the local Africa pastors who were my theological students and write this article with my co-author Dr. Nehrbass who has had a long-term friendship with me. This study was a great experience of partnership in missions.
Dr. Wenhui Gong
Chinese Diaspora Mission
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Reaching out to diaspora Chinese in East Africa: Barriers and Bridges, Missiology An International Review, June 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0091829617706981.
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