In the wake of a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar’s Sagaing Division on March 28, 2025, a group of Chinese missionaries based in Thailand quickly mobilized to respond. Within just over two weeks, they organized a fundraising campaign that raised over US$30,000 for relief efforts.
This initiative was historically significant—it marked the first time Chinese missionaries in Thailand had come together for a public, team-based ministry effort. For a community often characterized by fragmentation and invisibility, the Myanmar Disaster Relief campaign revealed both the possibilities and the growing pains of collaborative mission work.
The purpose of the reflection was to explore: What did this relief effort reveal about the current state and future potential of Chinese missionary collaboration abroad?
Drawing from personal involvement and internal discussions, the reflection identified key themes:
- Missional Unity: Missionaries were motivated by the Great Commission, compassion for victims, and a sense of global church solidarity.
- Practical Challenges: Issues arose related to legal fundraising restrictions, safety concerns, cross-border logistics, and team trust.
- Cultural Dynamics: Loyalty, face, and informal structures shaped participation and decision-making, both positively and negatively.
- Breakthrough and Tension: While the campaign was fruitful, internal miscommunications and breakdowns in the process also exposed the need for growth in team accountability and shared leadership.
The author links this moment to the broader shift toward polycentric missions—a theme emphasized in the Lausanne Movement—where Chinese missionaries are emerging not as imitators of Western models, but as authentic agents in God’s global work.
Though imperfect, the campaign was a meaningful step forward in public, cross-cultural engagement by Chinese Christians. As the reflection concludes, more such “windows” into the life and witness of Chinese missions abroad are sure to follow.
