過去十年內，華人教會中越來越多土生華裔長大成人，漸漸成為教會新一代，備受注目的一群，其中许多是第二代，或第三代，甚至第四代華僑後裔，他們有自己的文化，他們大多數擁有良好教育背景，充滿活力，富冒險精神，熱心事奉，獨立有主見，是屬靈的一群。然而，如果我們不挑戰及動員他們對宣教投身，他們可能會改變成為被動，冷漠教會事工及宣教行動。
司徒德說得很好：「基督教是搶救的宗教。」是的，我們都是屬靈的消防員，如果我們可以動員美國土生的青年，或者是已經「美國化」的青年人，甚至是較年長美國化的華人，組成一大隊拯救隊，投入救人靈魂任務，在本地或全球宣教，這實在是華人教會的福氣。
土生華裔參與宣教事工，有甚麼益處和祝福呢？有好幾方面的益處：
1. 榮耀神 當我們對神尊敬的時候，「在列邦中述說祂的榮耀，在萬民中述說祂的奇事」(詩九十三3)，神便受了尊崇，得了榮耀。
2. 教育性 參與宣教，使人了解宣教，從現實看宣教，而不是幻覺及憑想像去了解宣教。這樣，宣教理論再不是理論，而是活生生的原則，刪除了那些有關宣教的神秘性。
3. 激勵性 參加宣教行列，幫助我們看見眾多的實際需要，刺激我們去滿足這些需要，又幫助我們用永恆之眼光去看人性的有限及需要，以及對事物和生活有適當的看法。
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4. 滿足性 在這個神奇時代，全球性動感的世界，釵h青少年刻不容緩的要出去看看世界，看看神如何在工作，又希望為神做些有用的工作，當他們觀察歸來的時候，往往會因自己能把時間和才幹用在建立神的國度事工而感到滿足和自豪。同時，教會也會因見到這些土生華裔青年對普世傳福音事工所作出的貢獻而大大得到鼓舞。
5. 啟動性 一個參加宣教的人，都會有機會嘗試參加和經歷不同的事工，從而知道自己的長處和短處，幫助發掘一些潛在的恩賜，更有效的服事主。
6. 堅立性 如參加夏令營一樣，參加宣教，特別是參加短期宣教，可以大大增強我們與神的關係，增強我們與教會關係，堅強我們柔弱的信心，維繫我們屬靈生命。
7. 加速性 可以加速普世宣教事工，當我們動員教會每一年紀的組別，特別是動員年青的一代，他們有動力，有時間，有恩賜，有財物可以奉獻，我們可以為神完成更多的事工。
如何動員土生華裔參與宣教事工？
欲要動員土生華裔致力宣教事工，基本上有四方面要處理。簡述如下：
資訊（提示）
我們要掃除無知，抹去神秘色彩，傳達知識，推廣宣教意識，以求土生華裔完全明白宣教觀念。
激發（喚醒）
我們需要驅除自我滿足境界，引起興趣動機，注入活力，使他們回應宣教呼聲。
教導（訓練）
我們要裝備他們去事奉，因此他們會發掘自己的恩賜，加強自己的技能，提升他們事奉基督的心志，投入宣教事工。
參與（差遣）
我們需要提供機會，給他們參與宣教，啟動他們的屬靈恩賜，幫助他們成為執行大使命的基督徒。
土生華裔可以參與那些事工?
「然而人未曾信他、怎能求他呢？未曾聽見他、怎能信他呢？沒有傳道的、怎能聽見呢？沒有奉差遣、怎能傳道呢？」（羅馬書十 13-15） 教會及宣教機構在土生華裔接受四至六星期的宣教訓練後，可以提供不同宣教機會給他們，甚至是十多歲的少年，在熱衷學習和事奉的時期，也可以在他們教會以外的範疇去事奉主，因為他們持有不同價值觀，有不同的外型，所以我們要盡可能提供一些適合他們參與的事工，或者我們可以設計一些事工，舉辦特別運動，或活動，去配合他們的文化，屬靈情況，語言能力，教育背景，興趣，恩賜，及呼召。
約翰衛斯理這樣宣告：「世界是我的牧區」。使徒行傳一章8節命令我們去推動外展事工，是全面的事工，包括本地，全國，及普世的事工。
以下是土生華裔可以參與的事工：
本地層面：為有需要的學生補習，免費懦憚A務，城市貧民事工，沙灘佈道，體育佈道，祈禱行，假期聖經學校，藉友誼佈道，福音性查經，向華人，美人，及其他國藉人仕傳福音，（包括學生及工人階級），也可以認領有需要孩子，特別照顧一個家庭等。
全國層面：參與由教會及宣教機構舉辦的暑期及假期事工，如城內貧民區事工，沙灘佈道，夏令營，退修會，國家公園佈道等事工。
普世層面：在學校或青年營裡教不同程度英語和其他科目課程，或教電腦技巧，舉辦體育營，修補教堂或其他房屋，探訪醫院病人，探望康復院病人及孤兒院兒童，與其他文化人士或其他宗教人士傾談，舉辦一些創意性的音樂或戲劇工作坊，舉辦佈道會，音樂會，見證會等，也可以舉行社區祈禱行等。
總結：
土生華裔不單是華人教會的祝福，更是全世界的祝福，他們會有许多的貢獻，不單增加事工方面的人力資源，也加強屬靈的戰鬥力。華人教會要盡所能的舉辦迎合他們需要的活動，我們也要不斷的培育他們，盡量促使他們對宣教的興趣，裝備他們投入地方教會，委身於傳福音的事工，成為遵從大使命，為我們的主，救主耶穌基督而摆上的基督徒。
本文為譯稿，英文原稿如下：
MOBILISING THE AMERICAN BORN CHINESE FOR MISSION MINISTRIES
Peter Tow
In the last decade or so, an increasing number of local born Chinese in Chinese churches have grown up to be young adults. This emerging and large significant people group is comprised mainly of second-generation offspring. Some are third and even fourth generation Chinese. This people group with its own subculture is by and large, well-educated, energetic, adventurous, enthusiastic, independent and spiritual. But these potential missionaries, if not adequately challenged and mobilized for missions, can turn passive and apathetic towards the work of the Church and missions.
John Stott has well said, “The Christian religion is a rescue religion.” Yes we are all spiritual firemen and what a great blessing to our Church and to our world if we would be able to mobilize and deploy a large number of our American born, or “Americanized” youth, young adults, and even older ones to do the work of soul-saving, the work of missions-both local and global.
WHAT ARE THE MANY BENEFITS AND BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM THE ABC’S PARTICIPATION IN MISSION WORK?
Just to name a few. It is beneficial because it:
1. Glorifies. God is honored and glorified when we dutifully “declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:3)
2. Educates. Doing hands-on mission work helps one to see things from a real and not imaginary perspective. Mission theories come alive and help us eradicate the myths one may have concerning the work of missions.
3. Stimulates. Doing mission work helps us to see the multitudinous real needs that are out there and sensitize us to meet these needs. It also helps us to see our very own humanness and needs in the light of eternity. It helps us put things and our lives in proper perspective.
4. Gratifies. In this age of curiosity and global mobility, many youth and young adults cannot wait to go out and see the world, see God at work as well as do something useful for the Lord. These young people return feeling good about themselves for they invest their time and talents to the building of God’s kingdom. Moreover, the Church is also encouraged to see these Americanized members, contributing towards the work of global evangelization.
5. Activates. When one participates in mission work, one often has the opportunity to engage or experience with different ministries. Participating in different type ministries helps us to discover our strengths and weaknesses and helps to uncover and use latent gifts which we may have.
6. Solidifies. Like attending a Bible camp, doing mission work, especially going on a short-term missions, can greatly help solidify our relationship with God and with the Church. It can help jump start our weak faith and sustain our spiritual life.
7. Expedites. It hastens the work of global missions. When we mobilize every age group in our Church to do mission work, especially the younger generation which has much energy, time, talent and treasure to offer, we can accomplish a lot more for God.
HOW TO MOBILIZE THE ABC’S TO DO MSS WORK?
Basically a four faceted approach is needed to mobilize the ABC’s to missions. They are:
Information (Tell)
We need to dispel ignorance, eradicate myths, disseminate facts and promote mission awareness so that they will have a sound understanding of missions.
Inspiration (Arouse)
We need to agitate complacency, generate interest, and motivate and rejuvenate them so that they will respond to the call to missions.
Instruction (Train)
We need to equip them for service so that they will discover their gifts, strengthen their skills and enhance their commitment to Christ and missions.
Involvement (Deploy)
We need to provide opportunities for mission involvement thus activating their spiritual gifts and help them to be Great Commission Christians.
WHERE CAN ABC ‘S SERVE?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:13-15) With ABCs in mind, churches and mission organizations should create a variety of different mission opportunities where they could be sent after they receive 4-6 weeks of missions training. Even teen-agers, who are eager to learn and serve, should be given the opportunity to serve our Lord outside the boundary of their local church. Because of the differences in values and outlooks, as much as possible, we should strive to find ministries and methods of ministries that are appropriate for them. We must design ministries (projects and activities) to match their culture, spirituality, linguistic ability, educational background, interest, gifts and calling.
John Wesley proclaimed, “The world is my parish.” In Acts 1:8, we are commanded to engage in outreach ministries that encompass the whole world (Local, National and Global.)
The following are some ministries which the ABC’s could do:
Local: Tutor needy students, soup kitchen ministries, inner city ministries, sports evangelism, beach evangelism, prayer walks, Vacation Bible School, outreach to Chinese, Americans and other nationals, (both students and the working class), through regular friendship evangelism, and evangelistic Bible studies, adopt a needy child/family etc.
National: Minister at summer and holiday projects organized by churches and mission organizations such as inner city evangelism, beach evangelism, camps, retreats, national parks evangelism etc.
Global: Teach English and other courses at different levels, teach computer skills in schools or youth camps, run sports camp, repair church and other buildings, visit and minister to the sick and needy in hospitals, convalescent and orphanages, dialog with locals on culture and religion, do creative arts like music and drama workshops, evangelism, music, testimonies, prayer walks etc.
Conclusion:
ABC’s are not only a blessing to our Chinese churches, but they are also a blessing to our world. They have much to offer not only in the work force, but also in the spiritual realm. In our churches, we have to do all we can to tailor our programs that will meet their needs. We also need to nurture them on a continual basis and keep enlivening their interest in missions so that they would become responsible members of the local church and be Great Commission Christians for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
本文引自《華傳路》第63期
