祈求和感謝
2004 年 7 月

福音傳華民   恩澤遍萬邦
江錦培牧師，總幹事

王永信牧師於1961年以「福音傳華民•恩澤遍萬邦」為使命宣言，創辦了中國信徒佈道會。但是福音傳華民只是一個開始，恩澤遍萬邦還在等著呢！在海外生活華人的第一代，一向只專注於向華人傳福音。我們差派的宣教士亦主要以華人為對象。我們何時才會承擔向萬邦傳福音的大使命呢？我們又應如何著手開始呢？我深信最有效率和效果的策略，就是由第二代或第三代華人去實踐這使命，就是那些在海外出生和成長的土生華裔。為甚麼呢？因為──

他們精通雙語或三語
語言一直是宣教工作上的一大障礙。宣教士需要花上多年時間，才能通曉異國語言。英語是現今世界上最流通的語言之一。生於北美的華裔既能操流利英語，亦善於英文書寫，因此他們在大部份國家傳福音和宣揚真理，都能夠勝任自如。
他們擁有雙元或多元文化
他們在外國出生和成長，不但承襲了中國文化，亦受到出生地的文化所薰陶。他們一直浸沉在多元文化的社會中：小時候在校園和遊樂場中與不同種族文化的孩子玩耍，長大了在多種族的環境中工作，有些亦與不同族裔的人士結婚。因此，他們已具備與不同文化的人士交往接觸的技巧和能力。
他們擁有高教育水平和專業能力
承擔廿一世紀宣教使命的，並不只是傳道人或宣教士。如果單憑傳統形式的宣教事工或宣教士，我們仍未能打開許多國家的福音之門。在某些國家中，教育水平高的專業人士就能貢獻所長，回應福音的召命。他們可以運用智慧和技巧在這些國家中為基督作見證，是現時極為需要的事奉隊工。
他們顧慮較少而又勇於踏上
中國移民的第一代為了在異鄉落地生根，把時間、精神全部放在工作謀生和建立家庭之上。對於他們來說，海外宣教是一項不小的付出甚至?牲。相反地，他們的下一代則生活比較穩定和安逸。作為後現代的群體，他們喜歡轉變和挑戰，對教育、事業、家庭、婚姻和財富等，擁有與上一代截然不同的觀念。他們較少受傳統責任的束縛，他們的獨立自主，令他們更能回應主的呼召──「去！」

因此，我希望在此向所有海外華人教會作出呼籲，請你們投放更多資源和心力栽培和召集新一代的英語華裔，為跨文化宣教工作注入新動力。當然，向華人傳福音的工作總會需要更多人力物力，但我們亦不可忽略對普世福音使命的承擔。請你們向英語堂的會眾教導和宣講更多有關宣教的真理，鼓勵及支持弟兄姊妹參與短宣，亦為他們宣教使命的選擇而禱告和作出引導。這樣，我相信不久就可以培養一班華人宣教士的新力軍，他們會為基督在世界各地作見證，正如中信的使命一樣，叫恩澤遍及萬邦，遵行主基督所吩咐的大使命。

Reaching the Chinese to Reach the World
Rev. Edwin Kong, Executive Director

When Dr. Thomas Wang founded the Chinese Christian Mission in 1961, he set the following as its mission statement: "Reaching the Chinese to reach the world." Reaching the Chinese, however, is simply the beginning. What about the world? The first generation of overseas Chinese has tended to focus on reaching the Chinese alone. We sent missionaries mostly to reach the Chinese. But when and how will we begin to share the responsibility for reaching the world with the gospel of Christ? I am convinced that an effective and efficient strategy will be to do so through the second or third generation of English-speaking Chinese who are born and raised overseas. Why? Because-

They are bi-lingual or tri-lingual
Language continues to be one of the greatest barriers in missions. Missionaries commonly study many years before being able to master the language of a foreign land. Yet English is one of the most commonly used languages in the world. Overseas-born Chinese in North America speak and write fluently in English and, therefore, can easily communicate the Gospel and Christian values in many parts of the world.
They are bi-cultural or multi-cultural
Born and raised in countries outside of China, they not only inherit the Chinese culture, but also adopt the cultures of their birthplaces. They are nurtured in multi-cultural societies. They are raised with other ethnic children in schools and playgrounds. They often work in multi-ethnic environments. Some marry inter-racially. Relating to others from different cultures becomes a natural skill for them.
They are well educated and skilled
21st century missions calls for more than preachers and evangelists. The doors to many countries remain closed to traditional missions and missionaries. Highly educated professionals can contribute significantly to the countries where they are called to serve. By witnessing Christ with prudence and discernment in these countries, they will be welcomed with open arms.
They tend to be more carefree and adventurous
The first generation of Chinese immigrants come to establish itself and to put down roots. They work hard to build homes and families. It is no small sacrifice for them to relinquish themselves moreover for overseas missions. On the other hand, their children are raised in stability and security. As a postmodern generation, they welcome change and challenge. They have different perspectives on the traditional values of education, career, home, marriage and financial sufficiency. They are less entangled by responsibility and more ready and free to respond to the call of the Lord "to go".

I appeal to all overseas Chinese churches, therefore, to put more emphasis on raising and recruiting English-speaking Chinese for cross-cultural missions. There will never be enough workers to reach all the Chinese, but we must share the responsibility for reaching all nations. Teach and preach missions in your English congregations. Encourage and support your members to join short-term missions trips. Pray for and guide their decision-making in relation to career missions. In so doing, it will not be long before we see a new breed of Chinese missionaries who will bear witness of Christ and reach all parts of the world to fulfill our mission statement and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.