Teaching in the United States is often called a “ministry” or a “labor of love.” The profession is important in grooming society’s next leaders, yet the hours are long and the pay is low compared to many occupations that require the same amount of education.
But an opportunity to teach abroad in a culture that reveres educators awaits those who are willing to be themselves, be open to new relationships, and to simply talk.
Mennonite Partners in China is seeking individuals who want to make a difference in the world by engaging in English conversations about differences in their own culture and faith. Based in Harrisonburg, Va., MPC carries out exchange programs in multiple ways. It facilitates visits of Chinese students and professors at Mennonite colleges, and sends North American teachers to the Far East nation.
MPC’s director, Myrrl Byler, said his phone and e-mail inbox have been busy with requests from Chinese universities for English teachers.
“We view language teaching in China as primarily a ministry of peace building and mission,” Byler said. “Chinese university students have had little, if any, opportunity to interact with a non-Chinese person, to have a perspective of the world that is not completely Chinese. The vast majority of these students have no knowledge of the Christian faith—not even of the most well-known Bible stories.”
Teachers are often prompted by students asking questions like, “Why do you go to church?” or “What do you say when you pray?”
“Through encountering language teachers who are Christian, they [Chinese students] are confronted with ways of thinking and believing that raise questions and begin to expand their worlds,” Byler said.
The expansion grows both ways. Todd Hanson of Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan, who has been teaching in China since 1991, said that he’s learned that being able to say, “This doesn’t make sense” or “I don’t understand” is actually the beginning of wisdom. For Hanson, while initially confident of his ministry calling, learning from the Chinese has led him to sometimes question and refine his calling. He is more willing to “go with the flow and follow God’s leading.”
“My desire to do things ‘with’ people rather than ‘to’ people has grown stronger,” wrote Hanson via e-mail. “There’s a Chinese saying about ‘teachers and students learning together,’ and I have been very blessed by Chinese students and Chinese Christians who have taught me so much.”
Jeni Hiett Umble and her husband, Art, of Broomfield, Colo., served from 1987 to 1989 at the Sichuan Institute of Technology outside of Chengdu, Sichuan, in the community of Pixian.
“I found teaching to be a valuable form of ministry,” she wrote. “While I did not have opportunities to directly share the gospel, whenever asked, I answered that my belief in Jesus Christ was the reason that I could leave home and live in another country and learn from another people.”
Over the years, requests for teachers have remained high, but the number of participants has dipped, Byler said. From the 1980s to early 2000s, MPC, which is a partnership among Eastern Mennonite Missions, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Church Canada Witness, and Mennonite Mission Network, was sending 35 to 40 teachers annually. MPC has 15 teachers in China now and expects to send up to 12 this fall.
MPC provides fund-raising support and four weeks of orientation for all teachers, which includes language and cultural immersion and teacher training. Three-year commitment is encouraged, although MPC will consider one-year assignments in some cases. While universities provide free housing and a stipend, participants work with their sending agency to ensure full funding support.
“We try to pull out some of the most important things about the culture, especially as it relates to teaching. Things like what’s important to do or not do,” Byler said. “For example, we’ll spend an hour going through what you do at a banquet. There’s a lot of protocol on where you sit and toasting and what you say or who goes into the room first.”
The world’s most populous nation at 1.3 billion people, China is estimated at having nearly 100 million people who are fluent in English. While Mandarin is still the national language, the government aims to dramatically increase the number of English speakers, mainly among citizens who live in urban areas.
“We’re there to supplement,” Byler said. “They want the students to have the opportunity to hear a native speaker and interact with a native speaker.”
This creates an excellent opportunity for Americans, and particularly Christians, to positively influence the nation’s younger leaders by increasing cultural understanding through conversations, he said.
Applicants can contact MPC or apply through one of the partner agencies. A Bachelor’s degree is required, but it doesn’t have to be in English, Byler said. The curriculum that’s provided focuses more on understanding cultures and using conversational English rather than grammar.
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For immediate release.
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact Andrew Clouse at andrewc@mmnworld.net, 574-523-3024 or 866-866-2872, ext. 23024.
