Introduction / History

The first Chinese arrived in the United States in the 1850s because of the California Gold Rush in 1949. Few found gold, but they became a source of cheap labor, especially in the railroad industry. Within a generation, Chinese men had their wives and children join them in the U.S. By that time there was a large Chinese population so in 1882 the Americans passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. There were more restrictions with the 1924 Immigration Act, which barred Chinese from citizenship among other things. By that time, some Chinese families were well-established in America. The restrictions loosened in 1965 when the U.S. could not restrict immigration by country.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The foreign-born Chinese in the United States commonly come as students, merchants or small businessmen. The less fortunate among them have snuck across the Mexican border in the early 2020s. They often settle in New York City and have little contact with the wealthier Chinese in that city. About half of the foreign-born Chinese are not proficient in English, which opens the possibility of reaching them through English lessons.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Because of the communist atheistic training in the PRC and the secularized environment of the United States, most foreign-born Chinese in America are non-religious. They believe that they must make it on their own without the help or guidance of a loving God. However, there are also strong Christians among them who can reach the others for the savior.

What Are Their Needs?

Secularized thinking and a non-stop work schedule make many Mandarin Chinese unable to deal with their spiritual needs. Those who have made Christ their Lord can be used by him to expand God’s kingdom to the lost in their adopted country.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to use vibrant Mandarin Chinese Christ followers to disciple those who need Christ’s touch in the United States.
Pray for Chinese Christian believers to fill the bowls of incense with prayer for the lost in America.
Pray for the Mandarin Chinese to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find Jesus Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Chinese, general in United States.

References

https://www.ameredia.com/resources/demographics/chinese.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7TNP2OTY2g
https://search.brave.com/search?q=why+did+chinese+immigrants+come+to+america+in+the+1900s&source=relatedQueries&summary=1&conversation=7bd65ec55ada8dc2b90009
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Chinese_Americans