Not long ago my wife Debra and I went to see the movie Sight and were thoroughly moved by the true story of Dr. Ming Wang, “a Chinese American ophthalmologist whose life story and work bridge the realms of science and faith.” Read more in the blog post, “Sight: More about Dr. Ming Wang, the Real Doctor behind the Film.”
The film is adapted from Ming Wang’s autobiography From Darkness to Sight, which focuses more on the path he walked to encounter and then follow Jesus Christ. Dr. Wang’s story is so compelling, and the movie is filled with a myriad of follow-up talking points.
Dr. Wang is an internationally acclaimed laser eye surgeon who came to America as a poor student with $50 in his pocket while hoping for an opportunity. He has gone on to develop a technology that restores or significantly improves sight for millions across the globe, including orphans from 55 countries to this point.
A Timely Opportunity
For twenty years, I was privileged to be a youth pastor in the local church both in the US and Hong Kong, and if Sight had come out back in the day, I would have made sure that all of the young people we were serving got the chance to see it. I am convinced that the ensuing discussions we would have had with junior high, senior high, and college young people would have been lively, riveting, and fruitful.
If you are in a place to see the movie (Sight is still in theatres in the US and should be streaming soon) and to bring along your family and friends, or youth group, I would encourage you to go for it. You won’t regret it, and it will open doors for significant reflection and conversation.
Conversing with the Spiritually Unconvinced
There have been questions about why the movie is being recommended when the Christian message in the film is not “clear and forceful” enough. Dr. Ming Wang explained that Sight is a pre-evangelism film aimed at unbelievers and skeptics saying, “The goal is not for Christians to feel self-satisfied, but to seek common ground with non-believers and initiate dialogue.” The mission of the church we attend is: “God’s grace compels us to lead spiritually convinced and unconvinced people to complete commitment to Jesus Christ.” The conversation and encounter between the spiritually convinced and unconvinced has to start somewhere, and Sight is a great introduction for those who are unconvinced.
Dr. Ming Wang was spiritually unconvinced before the paths to faith and science converged and he met Jesus. Dr. Wang is making his case to young people across the world that they do not have to choose between science or faith, but they can choose science and faith. His story is that faith and science work together.
Defying Stereotypes
Dr. Wang believes that Sight is a movie that defies many American stereotypes: “Asian Americans know much more than just kung fu. We have engineers, scientists, and business people, people who are successful in almost every field of life; but our stories are not told.”
Without spoiling the plot. I refer you to an outtake from the movie when a very young Ming Wang is seeking to take the MCAT exam and apply for entrance to medical school. The experience represented in the movie actually happened, but Dr. Wang provides a profound twist in the following outtake. Watch it on YouTube.
Racial bias and discrimination are only two of the many challenges Dr. Ming Wang has faced and overcome with his love for Jesus, for others, and especially, for the sightless orphans of the world, and, in producing Sight, he has given a lasting gift to us all.
Be sure to watch for the ChinaSource interview with Dr. Ming Wang coming soon!
Kerry Schottelkorb
President
Ways to Pray
- Praise the Lord for the life, ministry, and calling of Dr. Ming Wang who made the film Sight for the following reason: “The film is not just my story; it encourages more Chinese to tell their stories. For Christians, ultimately, we are to bear witness for Jesus.”
- Praise the Lord for the wide variety of ChinaSource content contributors from China and the diaspora who are pastors, teachers, students, business professionals, men and women alike, who are helping the global church better understand, pray, and serve in China’s New Era.
- Pray for our own Joann Pittman who is in the second month of her six-month sabbatical. Please pray that Joann will enjoy rich fellowship with family, and friends, and with our Triune God of Grace.
- Lift up the ChinaSource board of directors and staff who will be meeting for their annual in-person meetings the week of June 24–28. Please pray for a oneness in heart and calling, and that the Holy Spirit will guide us into plans that align with his will.
News and Notes
ChinaSource Team News
- On June 9, Kerry Schottelkorb preached at Home of Christ Church in Newark, CA.
- Brent Fulton’s post, “Who’s in Charge?” was featured on the Polycentric Leadership website on June 3.
- On May 19, Brent Fulton preached at Intersect, the English congregation of Mountain View Chinese Christian Church.
In Case You Missed It
A selection of recently published items:
- The Transformation of Overseas Chinese Churches: “Three Highs and One Low”, ChinaSource Blog, June 18.
- A Watershed Moment for Global Chinese Christianity, ChinaSource Blog, June 17.
- Sight: More about Dr. Ming Wang, the Real Doctor behind the Film, ChinaSource Blog, June 14.
- ZGBriefs, June 13.
- Homeward Bound: A Christian’s Return to China, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), June 12.
- The Hidden Love Behind Festival Foods, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), June 10.
- A Beijing Pastor Reflects on Running, Staying, and Returning, ChinaSource Blog, June 7.
- ZGBriefs, June 6.
- Faith Across Continents, ChinaSource Blog, June 5.
- The Light of the Bible, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), June 4.
- A Chinese Model of Theological Education?, ChinaSource Blog, June 3.
- The Long History of Government Oversight and China’s Church, ChinaSource Blog, May 31.
- ZGBriefs, May 30.
- A Social Scientific Study of the Chinese Christian Community in Britain (3), ChinaSource Blog, May 29.
- The Next Decade of the Church in China, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), May 28.
- Who’s in Charge?, ChinaSource Blog, May 27.
- Diaspora Missions Today, ChinaSource Blog, May 24.
- ZGBriefs, May 23.
- Crossing Cultures: The Promise and the Blessing, ChinaSource Blog, May 22.
- God’s Way Is Higher than Our Way, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), May 21.
- Dragons and Devotion: Bridging Cultural Heritage with Christian Faith, ChinaSource Blog, May 20.
- How I Learned to Love the CUV, ChinaSource Blog, May 17.
- ZGBriefs, May 16.
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