Chinese diaspora churches look beyond their own communities

China (MNN) — The Chinese diaspora needs to be equipped just as much as the Church inside China.

Approximately 56 million Chinese people live outside the country, creating both a need and an opportunity for ministry among Chinese communities worldwide.

Erik Burklin of China Partner says the ministry has been considering how it can better serve these believers.

“We have been for years thinking about and also been encouraged to possibly doing more ministry amongst the Chinese diaspora outside of China,” he says.

Representative photo of Spanish architecture, Ourense (photo courtesy of Manuel via Pexels)

Chinese churches are appearing throughout the West. In Italy alone, Burklin says there are around 70. However, the growth of churches does not always correspond with the growth of trained Christian leaders.

“There’s a huge lack of leaders, pastors who are equipped, who have been educated, theologically trained,” he explains.

During a visit to Spain, Burklin met a pastor who shared his vision for strengthening the Chinese Church in his region: “His dream is to eventually start a Bible institute for Chinese-speaking leaders.”

But the vision goes beyond equipping Chinese believers to minister within their own communities. Chinese Christians also see an opportunity to reach people around them with the Gospel.

“They’re looking at this as a mission opportunity for the Chinese to reach out and to share the Gospel to those people who they’re neighbors to,” adds Burklin.

At a time when Christianity is declining in parts of Europe, equipped Chinese believers could help strengthen local churches and bring the Gospel to communities around them.

Yet as China Partner explores opportunities among the diaspora, Burklin says the ministry remains committed to believers on the mainland: “We don’t want to forget about the church in China.”

Pray for more Chinese pastors and Christian leaders to receive sound biblical and theological training. Ask God to equip Chinese believers, both in China and abroad, to be a blessing and a light to the communities around them.

Visit China Partner to learn more about the Chinese Church and its needs as it fulfills the Great Commission.

Header photo: Representative photo of friends talking (photo courtesy of George Pak via Pexels)