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Disciples in Beijing: Thoughts on Discipleship Issues and Reentry Come and join in this much needed conversation about how we develop disciples of Jesus and its impact on their transition to the work force and/or back home. Lisa and Leiton will also share about their recent visits to Beijing and Singapore and times with returnees.
Some Things toConsider…
Over the last few years, overseas Chinese students have been returning to China at a faster rate than ever, according to officials of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS).
Chinese international graduates and returnees emerging as a strategic people group
Chinese students studied overseas and returned 1978 – 2013
> 3 million
> 1.4 million
Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online
Most returns happened in last 5 years
1978-2007 2008-20130
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
5
Number of returnees to China000
Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, People’s Daily
Three times as many graduates returned in the last 5 years than the preceding three
decades
We estimate that 21,760 returnee Christians were “lost” in the last 12 months (2013). Every year the number increases
Returning to China*
Report given by Dr. Bullington at Overseas Committee on Returnees April 2014, Birmingham, UK
Returning to China
We estimate that only 15-25% of these new believers will ever commit to a church or fellowship group in China (2013)
Person A– Our Beijing host, Elly, a Singaporean former international student (of many years ago) leads a small group where a few returnees attend. She was surprised that one Christian returnee did not know much about her faith. She was not even sure she really became a Christian.
Person B grew in her faith while away from home and continues to witness in her workplace upon return. She wants to serve other returnees in her country who are having a hard time transitioning. Her Australian experience through OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship) allowed her to lead and grow in ministry with others.
.
50th Anniversary of Overseas Christian Fellowship 2009 in Malaysia
C - Other Returnees we met briefly (Beijing)were plugged in churches and are finding their new home and place of service (reentry was a continuing discipleship). Others who were Christians (Singapore) prior to going oversees returned with jobs waiting for them and a home church to receive them.
Han-Tao, a former international student is on the staff of BICF and is focusing on serving returnees
The 3-self governmentapproved Church
Woman pastor of the English congregation of 1,000 people, many are returnees.
One of their pastors was a Fuller graduate
Person D - a very mature and older returnee who had a clear call and vision for a place of service back home. Served widely while away from home. (“Ideal” Returnee)
A B and C DQuestions:
1. What was missing?2. What can be donebefore returning home?
Questions:
1. What experiences, while away from home, helped in their discipleship and reentry?
2. What connection was made upon return?
Questions:
1. How long was the person away?
2. What kind of growth opportunities did the
person have?3. Where and how did he
develop a call and vision?
also cited the following reasons* why there is a very low rate of effective reentry for Chinese student who became a Christian overseas:
Dr. Bullington also cited the following reasons* why there is a very low rate of effective reentry for Chinese student who became a Christian overseas:
• Nearly all return alone• No training or preparation before returning• No introduction to Christians after arriving back home
• No help with reverse culture shock, workplace challenges, family opposition
• No understanding of how to live as Christians in the Chinese context
Discipleship, put simply, is a process that grows out of a commitment to be a life-long follower of Jesus, to grow in Christ-likeness through the power of the Holy Spirit, the study of His Word, involvement in Christian community/church, and engagement and service in the world.
Significant International Flow of Chinese Students and Graduates
25
> 400,000
> 300,000
Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online
Annual International Flow
Pace of Going Overseas and Returning Accelerating
1978-2010 2011-2013
1900
1150
26
1978-2010 2011-2013
632
813
Source: Unesco, China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online
Students who went overseas000
Students who returned000
More graduates returned in the last three years than the 3 decade before
Vertical Jump of Returnees since 2008
2007 2013
44
353
27
Source: China Statistical Yearbooks, China Educational Online
Number of Returnees per Year000
CAGR > 40%