Undergrads from China growing on US Campuses

December 9, 2009 // 5 Comments »

Posted in Asian-American, Chinese, Church, News, Trends

Photo by Jacob Hannah for USA TODAY

For years we have seen mostly graduate students pour in from China but we’re witnessing a surge in undergrad enrollment as USAToday confirms. Campus/Student ministries in Chinese churches are fairly new developments. It’s wonderful to see these missional efforts from the Chinese church side and I see that they’re getting a taste of what English speaking ministries experience in a Chinese church context. Leaders of these ministries are much more contextual and intentional in their ministry approach. They have to deal with turnover more frequently than traditional Chinese pastors. How will Chinese churches respond to the surge in undergrads? Generally grad students are older and may be single or married. It’s a different stage of life. Undergrad attitudes and outlook will be different.

Is this a moment of opportunity for English-speaking ministries and not just Chinese congregations? Perhaps this development can provide a bridging ministry between the Chinese and English speaking ministries of Chinese churches.