--- title: Where do you find belonging in a land far from home? date: 2026-10-22T11:15:00+01:00 author: Reuben Grace canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/where-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home" section: Articles --- Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Where%20do%20you%20find%20belonging%20in%20a%20land%20far%20from%20home%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home) [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/send?app_id=1769260916495219&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home&display=popup) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home) Copy link to this article Share this article Where do you find belonging in a land far from home? 4 min read Contents Share [ ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1769260916495219&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home) [ ](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=Where%20do%20you%20find%20belonging%20in%20a%20land%20far%20from%20home%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home) [ ](mailto:?subject=Shared%20from%20Evangelical%20Alliance&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eauk.org%2Fnews-and-views%2Fwhere-do-you-find-belonging-in-a-land-far-from-home) Copy link to this article Share this article Back to top In this article #### Every lunchtime, the dining hall at the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission’s centre in Milton Keynes fills with the aroma of freshly cooked spring rolls and Wonton soup and conversations in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. Alongside light-hearted chats, lively theological debates often arise as our younger staff seek to learn and grow. Gathering over a meal is far more than just a COCM tradition. It is a staple of most of the 200-or-so Chinese churches and fellowships around the UK that we help equip to reach Chinese people in the UK and across Europe. COCM has been part of this work since 1950, but in the last few years that mission field has shifted significantly. The 2020 Census showed there were more than half a million ethnic Chinese people in the UK. Since then, the influx of people coming from Hong Kong through the BN(O) visa route means that figure today likely exceeds 750,000 residents and students. While some of those coming from Hong Kong are committed Christians, many of the ethnic Chinese people in the UK do not know Jesus yet. Sponsored[](#) [ ![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](https://oakhill.short.gy/ea-web-oct) Eating together offers a space for Chinese people to honour shared traditions in their familiar heart languages, providing a comfort that is vital for first-generation immigrants and an indispensable part of the overseas Chinese Christian church experience. Within this warm, familiar environment, the diaspora community builds close-knit relationships. Naturally, this home-like setting also creates an inviting atmosphere for sharing the gospel with fellow Chinese people. Cultural celebrations like Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) and Mid-Autumn Festival bring Chinese communities together. Recently, Canterbury Chinese Christian Church celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival with an evangelistic gathering, where I had the privilege of sharing a message. It was an ideal opportunity to share the good news of Jesus, guiding those who feel displaced towards an eternal, heavenly home. Psalm 90 reminds us that the Lord has been our dwelling place throughout all generations. This message resonates deeply with Chinese immigrants, whether they are recent arrivals from Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia, or next-generation British-born Chinese people raised here. While our earthly cultural affinities serve as valuable reminders of our desire to belong, our true identity and ultimate ​‘home’ are found in Jesus Christ. ![COCM Centre lunch gathering](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27675%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![COCM Centre lunch gathering](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) The table ready for lunch at the COCM centre #### The next generation The majority of Chinese churches in the UK are led by first-generation immigrants, worshipping in Mandarin or Cantonese, offering a comforting ​‘home away from home’ for new arrivals. However, only a fraction of Chinese churches offer services in English for the next generation. For many British-born Chinese, they are culturally Chinese, but they mainly speak English. This is a unique group that is at risk of not fitting into either Chinese churches or the wider British church. “I find it easier to connect with people when there is extra time after a service to gather for fellowship over food,” shares Vivian, a COCM worker who was born in the USA and now ministers to British-born Chinese youth in the UK. ​“We do this after every service and during our Bible studies.” > This is a unique group that is at risk of not fitting into either Chinese churches or the wider British church.” Perhaps reaching the second generation is an opportunity for the wider UK church to come alongside and support Chinese churches. Could other churches support Chinese churches with running English-language children’s and youth work, for example? Or by offering meeting spaces to Chinese churches or fellowships that are often looking for space for additional congregations, events or Bible studies. Please pray with us for the mission field that is the Chinese population in the UK, and especially for the second generation growing up between cultures, that many would come to know Christ. Chinese diaspora congregations are just as much part of the church landscape in the UK as any local British church. They bring with them a rich cultural heritage, a deep sense of community, and a unique opportunity to welcome those who are far from home. As the church in the UK continues to grow in its cultural diversity, may we recognise and value the different expressions of the body of Christ, learn from one another, and work together so that more people can find not only a home within the church, but their true home in Jesus Christ. [ ![One People Commission](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Opc Card](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/opc-card.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/networks/one-people-commission) [#### One People Commission ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/networks/one-people-commission) Uniting the ethnically and culturally diverse church, in all its vibrant expressions [ Find out more ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/networks/one-people-commission) [](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/networks/one-people-commission) [ ![Chinese Overseas Christian Mission](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Usha holding hands](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Usha-holding-hands.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/organisations/chinese-overseas-christian-mission) [#### Chinese Overseas Christian Mission ](https://www.eauk.org/organisations/chinese-overseas-christian-mission) [ Find out more ](https://www.eauk.org/organisations/chinese-overseas-christian-mission) [](https://www.eauk.org/organisations/chinese-overseas-christian-mission) Your reading Count on · turn off 0 You’ve read 0 articles in the last year. Behind what you’re reading is a movement of churches, organisations and individuals standing together. Join us and add your voice to the church being heard where it matters most. [Become a member](/membership/become-a-member/individuals/join-us) Privacy settings *›* Your article count is off. Nothing is being recorded on this device. Turn it back on --- ### About Henry Lu ![]()Henry Lu was born in Xian, China. His spiritual journey began with a simple prayer at a young age. He then went through many years of growth spanning three continents. After a teaching career where he engaged with university students and served in local Chinese churches in the USA as a lay leader, Henry and his family moved to the UK in 2007 to join Chinese Overseas Christian Mission (COCM) as missionary. Since then, Henry and the COCM team have been focusing on reaching out to the Chinese diaspora with the gospel, equipping them, and further encouraging the Chinese Christians to be a blessing to the local communities and beyond. He has a MA in mission leadership from All Nations and is currently COCM general director. 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