In 2021, the UK government offered a new visa for British Nationals (Overseas) residing in the former colony of Hong Kong. This, along with an ever-tightening political environment in Hong Kong, opened the door to an influx of people from the territory moving to Great Britain.
The arrival of so many new immigrants in a short period of time has presented both local and Chinese churches in the UK with some unique opportunities and challenges. Zipporah, a student at Singapore Bible College, conducted research into this situation for a class on mission research.
The purpose of the study was to “explore the role of UK churches during the acculturation of Hong Kong immigrants into the United Kingdom.” The study explored the following two questions:
- What observations did the UK churches have regarding new Hong Kong immigrants adjusting to UK culture?
- What was the experience of the churches of the acculturation of new Hong Kong immigrants adjusting to UK culture?
Through personal interviews with immigrants and local churches working with immigrants, she was able to identify some recurring themes, including the following:
- The immigrants have real life, practical needs that churches can help with, such as finding housing and schooling and navigating a new social system.
- Many have mental health needs due to traumatic experiences prior to immigration.
- Many are looking for churches, but often have unrealistic expectations that churches in the UK will be similar to churches in Hong Kong.
- There is a need for partnership between British churches and Chinese churches to help these newcomers.
At the end of her study, Zipporah discusses the importance of continuing this research. The BNO visa route is only two years old, so it’s very likely that more immigrants from Hong Kong will continue to come to the UK. She emphasizes that churches can continue to investigate ways to integrate the Hong Kong immigrants into the church community, as well as ways to better help them acclimate to the culture of Great Britain.
As Pastor Michael Wan said in his article on migrants to Southern California, the key for churches is to serve with genuine love, to give good teaching, and to find ways to encourage the leaders among the newcomers. No matter where you are in the world, it’s worth contemplating how your church can “welcome the newcomers” in your community.
Click here to find the PDF of “The Role of the UK Churches During the Acculturation of Hong Kong Immigrants in the United Kingdom” to download, print, and read.
Image credit: Catgirlmutant via UnSplash.
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