In April 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Chinese Diaspora and Glocal Evangelism Consultation (also called the “华人散聚策进会议”), hosted by the Chinese Coordination Center of World Evangelism (CCCOWE) in Toronto. My supervisor encouraged me to participate, and as a young Chinese Christian woman serving in Canada, I found the experience both deeply encouraging and personally thought-provoking.
The consultation offered a panoramic view of how Chinese churches across the world are engaging with missions today. From personal testimonies to strategic reflections, each session deepened my understanding of the global Chinese church’s role in gospel outreach—especially in this era of migration and cultural convergence.
A young woman in the room
One of the first things I noticed, however, was the speaker lineup. Most of the featured speakers were middle-aged male pastors. This observation stirred in me a long-standing concern about the visibility of women in church leadership and on public platforms.
I’ve witnessed the tireless service of many women behind the scenes
In my own ministry experience, I’ve witnessed the tireless service of many women behind the scenes—discipling students, leading worship, organizing events—yet their voices are seldom heard in plenary sessions or strategic discussions. The few female speakers at the consultation stood out not just for their insights, but because their presence stressed how rare such representation still is.
As a young woman in full-time ministry, I felt both a sense of limitation and an invitation. I was reminded of how much still needs to change—and how essential it is that we encourage and equip more women to speak, lead, and shape the church’s public voice.
From the local to the global
Despite these challenges, the content of the consultation was profoundly inspiring. Leaders from across Asia, North America, and beyond shared how Chinese diaspora communities are becoming bridges for the gospel, reaching not only their own ethnic groups but also their multicultural neighbors. Topics such as second-generation faith formation, cross-cultural ministry, and the unreached peoples in our own cities were particularly relevant to me.
Young people are deeply shaped by postmodern culture yet spiritually hungry.
I serve with a student ministry focused on Chinese youth in Canada, particularly those from second-generation or Asian immigrant backgrounds. Our mission is to lead students—from junior high through university—to know Christ, grow as his disciples, and integrate their faith into everyday life. We believe these young people, deeply shaped by postmodern culture yet spiritually hungry, are a vital part of God’s work in this generation.
Most of our team is under 30 and has come through student fellowships themselves. Equipped during college and early careers, many have stepped into full-time service in response to God’s call. We see firsthand both the spiritual hunger and the cultural dissonance that shape the lives of second-generation Chinese youth.
And yet, we also witness something beautiful: young believers beginning to live out their faith intentionally, joining short-term missions, starting prayer groups, and even experimenting with cross-cultural outreach on their campuses.
Bridging the generational gap
Many second-generation Chinese Christians are quietly drifting away from the church.
Still, we face a sobering reality: many second-generation Chinese Christians are quietly drifting away from the church. Language barriers, cultural gaps, and unclear discipleship models often leave young people feeling disconnected from traditional Chinese congregations. Some move to English-speaking churches; others walk away entirely. This growing generational divide weighs heavily on the hearts of many older believers.
But amid this concern, I also see signs of hope.
Young Christians with bi-cultural experiences—especially those who’ve grown up in North America—are uniquely equipped to become cultural bridges. They navigate multiple worlds daily and are often open to engaging both local and global missions. If nurtured well, they could lead a new wave of gospel renewal both inside and outside the Chinese church.
Rethinking mission in a scattered world
Missions is not a straight line—it’s a web.
One speaker at the consultation said something that stayed with me: the biblical idea of “sending” (差传) doesn’t always mean going from “here to there.” It also includes movements like “from there to here” and “from there to elsewhere.” Missions is not a straight line—it’s a web. And in today’s globalized world, where people are constantly moving across borders and cultures, Chinese Christians have a unique part to play.
The global Chinese church, with its linguistic diversity, mobility, and cross-cultural experience, is strategically positioned for missions. Whether we’re in Hong Kong, Toronto, Auckland, or Kuala Lumpur, we are all part of a broader story God is writing—one in which the scattered are also the sent.
A call to faithful presence
God doesn’t measure our impact by numbers or budgets. What the Lord desires is obedience—a willingness to see the world through his eyes and respond with faith, whether that’s through overseas missions or quiet faithfulness in our local communities.
For me, this means continuing to walk with young Chinese students in Canada. Our fellowships are now forming their leadership teams for the next school year. I pray they will grow in wisdom, spiritual maturity, and unity as they step into new responsibilities.
The consultation reminded me that no matter where we are—on a distant mission field or on a university campus in Toronto—we are part of God’s mission to the world. May we, the global Chinese church, continue to serve as vessels of grace, faithfully sent into every corner of the world.
Originally published by ChinaSource. Republished with permission. It was originally submitted in Chinese and was translated into English by the ChinaSource team with the author’s permission.
Jessie Yang serves full-time with Ambassadors for Christ in Canada (AFC in Canada), ministering to Chinese youth and second-generation immigrants in Toronto. After working for a year following graduation, she responded to God’s call to student ministry. For over two years, Jessie has been discipling students at York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and other urban campuses, helping them integrate faith into their lives, engage in missions, and live as Christ’s witnesses in a postmodern world.
