Working with Chinese
China, with more than 1.2 billion people, is the most populous nation in the world. And many Chinese live in many nations outside China. It is becoming more and more obvious that where there are people, there are Chinese. The first wave of Chinese came to America as laborers, helping to build the nation’s railroads. When gold was discovered in California, many Chinese laborers joined the gold rush to pursue the golden dream. The golden dream transformed part of San Francisco into a Chinatown. New York City followed San Francisco in Chinese residents and also developed a Chinatown. These two cities became magnets for successive waves of Chinese immigrants. The second wave of Chinese immigrants arrived after World War II, when America opened its doors to those refugees who did not want to live under communist rule in China. Though the first wave of Chinese immigrants helped build North America with their sweat and labor, the second wave brought with them technologies, business acumen, work ethics, and family values. Chinese people have become part of the mosaic family of nations of North America. Today, Chinese-Americans continue to evolve as social and economic changes take place in the United States and Canada. Many of the younger generation are professionals in commerce, industry, the arts, and sciences. They have adopted North American values and traditions. You can help them in their quest for true meaning in life by introducing them to Jesus Christ, that they may have everlasting life in Him.
Chinese in North America: In Brief
Population Distribution
More than 3 million Chinese reside in North America. They came from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Europe, Central and South America, Oceania, literally from every corner of the world. The Chinese in North America are divided into two groups: those born overseas and those born on this continent. Changing patterns of immigration since 1965 have introduced greater diversity into the Chinese population. Many live in Chinatowns; others live in suburban areas. Many reside in western states, such as California, Washington, Arizona, and Hawaii, and also Canada.
Language/Cultural Distinctives
Before 1965, most Chinese immigrants spoke the Cantonese–or Yue–dialect, native to Guangdong and other parts of China. Today, many Chinese immigrants speak other dialects, such as Mandarin or Taiwanese. First-generation Chinese may speak several dialects of Chinese, while American born generations may have little or no fluency in Chinese.
Church Planting Challenges
Currently, Southern Baptists have ministries in Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, and English. The North American Mission Board and its church planting partners have a strategic goal to reach out to all Chinese groups in North America. There is a need for church planting work among the Indonesian-speaking Chinese in North America. The work among the Chinese in North America is ripe unto harvest. You can help: first, pray that our Lord will call and send out His laborers into His harvest fields; second, give to support North American missions; and third, become involved in Chinese ministries and missions in North America.
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