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Global
Missions
Chinese Ministry in Fargo
[Letter from
Dorcas Wang 12-05]
For almost 12 years First Lutheran has been involved in very successful missionary work right here in our own backyard. Chinese International Christian Ministry (CICM) ministers to the 300-500 Chinese students, scholars and their families that live in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Whether these students and their families eventually return to China or accept the US as their new home, they may be the best opportunity we have to touch this culture with our message of the Good News.
The idea for CICM was planted in 1993 when it was discovered that Chinese people in the FM area were far more open than any other international group to learn more about the Christian faith. This call to ministry was taken up and truly took off when Dorcas Wang accepted a three-year call to work with the Chinese in our community in 1999. Since Dorcas' departure in May 2001, the CICM has been under the leadership of Jan Hoffman.
The ways in which the CICM reaches out to the Chinese in our community are diverse. Monthly potluck meals are held in which a program is given on a Christian theme. Free English classes are offered in which Biblical stories are discussed. The Chinese families can attend Bible studies as well as classes in cooking and auto maintenance. Newly arriving Chinese are provided with assistance and American families are encouraged to host Chinese in their homes.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Chinese ministry is
the "All Chinese Retreat" at Mt. Carmel Retreat Center in
Alexandria, MN held each year over Labor Day weekend. To get
an idea of the success this retreat has achieved in the
Chinese community, one only has to look at the statistics.
Although Mt. Carmel can only house 180 people, 240 attendees
from the Twin Cities, Duluth and Fargo attended the retreat.
CICM would welcome your help! Ways you can contribute to this ministry include:
· Praying for continued success of the Chinese ministry
· Attending the monthly Friendship Meal (potluck) at the NDSU Lutheran Student Center
· Teaching an English or Bible study class
· Teaching a class in cooking, auto maintenance, etc.
· Disseminating information on CICM
· Inviting a Chinese family to your home for a meal (Easy since they speak English.)
CICM depends solely on local donations to continue operation. Although several groups supported this ministry in the past, recently it has only received monthly donation from the First Lutheran Global Missions committee. For more information on how to contribute to this ministry, contact the interim director [at the address listed below]:
Jan Hoffman, Interim Director
Chinese International Christian Ministry
University Lutheran Center
1201 13th Ave. N
Fargo, ND 58102
701-232-2587 or 282-5323
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