Dr Wong Wing Sze
CGST Toronto Director of Centre for Global Chinese Church Research
Assistant Professor (Practical Studies), CGST

The history of Chinese churches in Western countries (e.g., Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and Australia) is closely linked to waves of Chinese migration in the 19th and 20th centuries. Early Chinese immigrants encountered Christianity through local English-speaking churches and Christian organizations, which supported their integration by offering practical, emotional, and social aid. As conversions increased, Chinese churches began forming. Unlike other ethnic churches founded by Christian migrants themselves, early Chinese churches were often mission-driven, established by first-generation church planters seeking to serve and connect with fellow Chinese immigrants. Over time, these churches, by God’s grace, have grown into multigenerational communities, offering services in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English to meet the needs of both immigrant and Western-born Chinese. Today, Chinese churches remain essential to the spiritual and social lives of Chinese diaspora communities across the West.

Chinese Christianity in the West reflects the intersection of traditional Chinese culture and the sociocultural dynamics of Western host nations. The development of Chinese churches is deeply tied to the broader societal context, influenced by factors like immigration policies, economic trends, and global events. Additionally, the changing religious landscape of the West has significantly shaped both Chinese churches and the faith practices of Chinese Christians abroad. Once seen as strongly Christian, Western countries have experienced a steady decline in Christian infl uence since the 1960s and 1970s. As these nations transition into post-Christian societies, Chinese churches face pressing questions: What do they look like in this new context? What opportunities and threats define their future? In an increasingly secular culture, are these churches adapting and thriving, or struggling to maintain direction? These questions are central to understanding the role and resilience of Chinese Christianity in the early 21st century.

As part of CGST Toronto, the Centre for Global Chinese Church Research (CGCCR) is committed to deepening understanding of contemporary culture and the shifting socio-political landscapes that shape global Chinese churches. Through contextual ecclesiological research, we integrate biblical and theological studies with social science methods to address the complex challenges facing the Chinese Church in the 21st century. Such context-relevant research is essential to revitalizing the global Chinese Church by grounding theology, ministry, leadership, and evangelism in the real-life experiences and struggles of Chinese communities worldwide. In today’s post-Christian West—where the Church is increasingly marginalized and biblical authority questioned—Christians wrestle with how to live faithfully in a post-truth world. Insights from the study of congregational cultures and subcultures can help church leaders better engage with these unique sociocultural challenges and communicate the gospel more effectively in secular contexts that are often skeptical of its relevance.

Contextual ecclesiological research is vital for Chinese churches as it helps them navigate the unique challenges of serving Chinese Christians in globalized, secular societies. Issues like identity, migration, and integration demand that churches adapt their message and practices to refl ect the cultural and historical realities of Chinese immigrants. Younger generations in the diaspora often struggle with ethnic identity and secular influences. Practice-led, contextual research offers valuable insights into congregational life and socio-cultural dynamics, providing empirical data to shape effective ministry strategies. This enables pastors and leaders to address acculturation, affi rm the gospel’s relevance in identity formation, and develop culturally meaningful ministry approaches—especially for youth navigating complex cultural intersections in their adopted homelands.

As a dynamic hub for advancing the study of the global Chinese Church, CGCCR is committed to building a collaborative research community. Contextual ecclesiological research cannot thrive in isolation—it requires the collective wisdom, experience, and insight of church practitioners, denominational leaders, scholars, graduate students, and all who care deeply about the future of the Chinese Church. By working together, we can better understand and respond to the unique challenges facing Chinese churches in an increasingly globalized and secularized world. We are excited to launch the pilot study of our first research project soon—stay connected through our website for updates. To shape this work meaningfully, we need your voice. Share your insights on the research and ministry gaps you see in the Chinese Church. Join us in this shared mission to strengthen and support the global Chinese Church for the generations to come.