Finding a spiritual home in a new land is often a long and complex journey, and Rev Chiu understands this deeply. It’s our privilege to speak with him as he shares his passion for creating a spiritual home for newly arrived Hong Kongers, his vision for equipping diaspora churches to embrace intercultural ministry and the challenges his congregation has faced along the way.
For Rev Chiu, the journey is not simply about survival, but about learning how to thrive together and build a new community rooted in faith. Join us as we explore how churches can bridge cultural divides, foster unity and become places where people from different backgrounds truly belong.
With the rapid growth of BNO migrants, many diaspora churches see the need to be a ‘safe harbour’ for Hong Kongers and therefore prioritise pastoral care over cross-cultural mission. Yet you have chosen to do both. How has launching the Exploring Jesus ministry brought spiritual energy and vitality to the wider church?
I do not believe that we have to choose between serving the poor and pastoring the congregation. Exploring Jesus is not something new for us; from the beginning, we have not been a church that only serves one cultural group or only reaches out to Hong Kong people and then starts doing mission. Mission is not an optional activity of the church – it is a necessity. It may take different forms and be expressed on different scales, but it should always be part of who we are. Therefore, it is not a question of which comes first; both can and should coexist.
At the same time, many of the new arrivals from Hong Kong are also seeking God’s will for their lives. They may be asking why God has brought them to the UK and whether there is a particular calling or purpose in this new season. Mission is a vital part of Christian life, but some of them may not have had much opportunity to engage with cross-cultural ministry in Hong Kong, which is largely monocultural. In contrast, Manchester is a very multicultural city. Here, the church can become a platform where they are able to explore, experience and learn about cross-cultural mission, and to discover how God might be calling them to serve in this wider context.
The ‘Homogeneous Unit Principle’ suggests churches grow fastest when people stay within their own culture, which can feel natural for first-generation immigrants. Have you faced resistance from those who feel resources should prioritise ‘our own people’? And how do you theologically address that enclave mentality in your preaching?
At Manchester Alliance Church, we have always had both English and Mandarin as well as large numbers of Cantonese speakers in the congregation. However, when it comes to new church plants, naturally their natural focus is on serving newly arrived Hong Kong people, rather than those who have been in the UK for some time. Over time, however, we have seen churches such as the Cheadle Hulme church-plant gradually grow and begin to welcome more local British-Chinese people into their congregation and community events.
It is certainly more straightforward when people share the same language, and it can be challenging to expect new church plants to engage in cross-cultural mission from the very beginning. Such ministry often requires people who have a specific calling and burden for cross-cultural work, as well as time for teaching and nurturing. This can be developed through preaching and gently helping people to unlearn rigid or limited ways of thinking. This may be done through mission-themed sermons, the sharing of testimonies and practical examples.
As I often say, mission can be very close to home. We can live out God’s mission in our own neighbourhoods. This is quite different from cross-cultural mission in Hong Kong, because here in the UK, and in Manchester especially, we are already in a cross-cultural setting the moment we step outside our front door.
We often talk about how difficult it is to retain second-generation BBCs in the church. Does their faith and sense of purpose grow when they see the church involved in local, cross-cultural mission? Is the real key to keeping our young people not better programmes, but a bolder vision?
Many BBC young people wrestle with identity, uncertainty about calling and the dynamics of being third-culture individuals. The challenge of retaining the next generation in our church doesn’t necessarily connect directly with cross-cultural mission, however if mentors are able to lead by example – serving alongside them in mission and journeying with them – then it is possible that seeds may be planted in their hearts. Through shared experience, relationship and modelling a missional life, God may use this to shape their faith and sense of purpose over time.
God has brought the Chinese church to the UK ‘for such a time as this.’ What unique gifts do you believe the Chinese diaspora carries that the wider British society is hungry for right now?
Traditionally, Chinese churches have placed a strong emphasis on evangelism and personal piety, with a deep focus on biblical teaching and the faithful preaching of God’s truth. This heritage of upholding Scripture, proclaiming the gospel, and nurturing spiritual growth has meant that many believers in Chinese churches are well grounded theologically. A significant number have also received formal ministry training and have accumulated valuable experience in serving within the church. These gifts and experiences can enrich churches in the UK and contribute to the wider body of Christ.
Many Chinese church leaders feel overwhelmed by the needs of their own congregation. What words of encouragement would you offer to a pastor who hears the call to cross-cultural mission but is afraid they lack the resources or language skills? How have you seen God provide when you stepped out in faith?
In terms of encouragement, I would say that a church should not feel pressured to develop a large or highly structured intercultural ministry with many programmes. Mission should not be something we only engage in when we have spare time or extra resources. Just as we do not give offerings only from what is left over, mission should not be treated as an optional activity. Rather, it should be regarded as an essential part of church life.
For example, even a newly established church-plant from the Chinese Alliance Churches Union such as Milton Keynes Alliance Church has already begun to engage in mission by organising mission events, setting aside offerings for mission, and inviting missionaries to share. Although resources may be limited, they have intentionally placed a vision for mission before the congregation, helping people to broaden their horizons and to support missionaries in nearby areas.
It is true that church leaders can easily feel overwhelmed by the immediate needs of their own congregation. However, by integrating mission into the life of the church in smaller but consistent ways, such as monthly or quarterly mission prayer gatherings, a more realistic approach can be found.
Mission lies at the very heart of the church. It is not simply one ministry among many, to be considered only when there is sufficient time, money, or manpower. Rather, mission is the driving force that gives direction and purpose to all other ministries.
Rev Wai Chor Chiu
President of Chinese Alliance Churches Union
Minister-in-charge of Manchester Alliance Church
1BNO: British National (Overseas) visa
2BBC: British-born Chinese
