CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT

Cultural Engagement

"Demonstrating an appreciation for the many dimensions of ongoing public-square and global conversations related to social, cultural, religious, biblical, and theological concerns and develops a biblical Christian perspective that results in knowledgeable, compassionate dialogue with appropriate evangelistic engagement"

Goal

I will serve in an international Chinese student environment
I will lead a STM team to Xi'an China

Strategies

I will attend the Chinese service at DCBC once per month during my internship
I will help teach classes at Chang'an University in Xi'an China
I will read my pingyin NT bible and be able to memorize verses in Chinese

Resources

I will engage in conversation with the Chinese International students at our church
I will study material on the Chinese diaspora from my mission organization

Measures

In a journal, I will reflect on my attendance service (June 7, 2017)
I will provide a report on my China STM to the Mission department and my ministry mentor (July 1, 2017)
I will recite my Chinese memory verse to my ministry mentor (every Friday at 1pm during internship starting in Jan. 2017)

Overall Reflection Statement

For my competence in cultural engagement, I am submitting pictures from my Xi'an, China short-term mission trip which I lead. This demonstrates that we are there on campus building relationships with students and all those we came in contact with. It also show my teammates at work, leading worship or teaching.

Artifacts

This was a former Muslim, Helen, who converted to Christianity, whom we met while strolling through the Muslim quarters in Xi'an. Her father was a calligraphy artist and Helen picked up the craft only after her father passing. She chose to continue operating her family's shop in the Muslim quarters despite the occasional hardship she experience because of her faith in Jesus. This really reminded me of Dr. Larry Water's daughter, who use her gift as an artist to praise and worship God.

One day, while strolling around the market, I decided to stretch myself a bit and share with someone. I picked a security guard. Praise God, the guy turned out to be a brother in Christ!

Another more daring move on our and some of our local brothers and sisters' part was to worship openly on campus.

We taught about various aspects of American culture during the day and spent time sharing with the students in the evening.

Learning Reflection

As I developed and demonstrated cultural engagement, I learned that being a Christian here in the States, we take many things for granted. The effort for some of them in going to church caused me to wonder why many here find it hard to make it to service on time. I am impressed by their boldness in sharing the gospel. They know the potential dangers in sharing with people they come across but yet the local believers have so much love of God and a trust in His divine appointment that they step out in faith and very boldly proclaim His name.

With all the difficulties and potential difficulties they face, it really force me to question whether I have that level of boldness. Maybe I am being dramatic is saying the local believers stared danger in the face and they continued on, but will I do the same if the same challenge present itself? The only danger I face in China is perhaps being asked to leave the country, yet for our brothers and sisters there, who knows what. If the good news is so good, why keep it locked up?

Lifelong Development Statement

As a result of the experiences documented by these artifacts, I will continue to develop in cultural engagement by utilizing my time with people, especially those whom I come in contact with ,much wisely. This 2 week trip is too short for me to engage all those students who wanted to talk. I see how interested the students were in our lives. I wished we had more time to share with them.