Strategic Mission Approach for the Unreached People Group along the

“Ancient Tea-Horse Trail”

‘茶馬古道’ 의 미전도 종족을 위한 선교 접근 전략

1.      The purpose and need for research

World mission in the 21^st century is being carried out with the strategic focus on the unreached people groups. However, in the remote regions around the world, there are many who are still waiting to hear the good news.

It is in this region that one finds the old trade route, still quite hidden from the rest of the world, known as the “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail” Recently, China is undergoing a massive change through the application of the “West Great Development Policy” which aims to unite the various ethnic groups to create a stronger communist nation. This not only enabled the hidden people of this region to be known to the outside world, but also opened possibilities of mission activities to begin.

Unfortunately, information regarding the “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail” and its people is scarce. Hence this thesis proposes to serve as the catalyst of the exploration of this hidden treasure with a mission perspective.

  

2.      The method and content of research

The historical background of the “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail” as well as the characteristics and trade route of the Yunnan Puer Tea has been thoroughly studied. Relevant information concerning culture, language, history, religion and current standing of Christianity among each ethnic group has been recollected. People and their culture along the regions of Puer tea production, Yunnan-Tibet route, Sichuan-Tibet route and borderlands of the “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail” were put together respectively. Special attention has been given to analyzing important policies regarding religion, ethnic minorities and development of the west of the Chinese government to better understand the strategic approach toward the unreached people in these regions.

 

 

3.      Strategies of mission

How are we to better manage our effort in approaching such people with the gospel?

Five key factors were identified and are as follows;

 

Firstly, efforts in the research of relevant regions need to be strengthened.

China is a great nation of vast land and extensive history. Since the establishment of the socialist foundation in 1982, accelerated reforms and economic developments enabled China to begin exercise global influence in the 21^st century. Hence accurate understanding of China and its people amongst its fast changes and cultural variety is a difficult task.

 

Secondly, models of community development ministry need to be presented.

Modern Christian mission has been using ways of doing community service such as social welfare, medical and education in approaching such areas with the gospel. The “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail” in particular, is under close surveillance of the Chinese government to control any foreign interruption, thus community development program is essential. People of this region have long been devoted to Lama-Buddhism which acts as another difficult barrier. Three significant methods of community development are suggested as follows;

 

1)      Children Care Ministry

One of the most deprived areas in terms of the education system is selected as a model. The target schools of ministry are one middle school, three primary schools and fifteen half-primary schools (usually grade one to three). The ultimate aim of children care ministry is not only in helping the finance situation of schools but to offer holistic care to future leaders of society. Hence improved parenting, international support and local government effort are together weaved through to bring out maximum result.

 

2)      Welfare Ministry for the disabled

Reasons for the high ratio of the disabled in ethnic group regions are incest, poor hygiene, frequent earthquakes and not enough salt. Disabled people in such poverty stricken regions live in unimaginable environments. “Goat raising program” is a welfare project selected to provide self-sufficient living to these people. Individual care relationship is built through visitations and connecting families with any outside support.

 

3)      Experimental organic farm Ministry

Organic techniques of agriculture refer to traditional ways of farming without the use of any modern chemicals. By using only the cycle of natural ecosystem, it works in a way to restore the order of creation. Through several years of experimentation and research, this technique is now being trialed in a selected region along the “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail.” Farming community in itself is an important tool in creating a faith community in an unreached field. It is also a creative way to contribute to the improvement of the Chinese agriculture which is always welcomed by the government.

Thirdly, mobilization and training of specialized workers is necessary.

The focal point of twenty first century mission is the breakthrough of the unreached people groups. Thus a new paradigm of ministry led by specialized workers is needed. Well-trained and devoted people such as silver missionaries, women workers, skilled workers, medical persons, businessmen can allocate the ministry and collaborate together in producing effective ministry. The Korean Diaspora can be a huge driving force of future ministry.

 

Fourthly, teamwork need to be empowered for focused ministry.

In regions where evangelism is limited, team ministry enables effective work to be administered. Company management, hospital and school ministry and welfare cannot be handled by an individual. Together creating successful hardware and operating within a team system can bring synergy to the ministry.

 

Lastly, global network must be utilized

Massive distribution of information and globalized communication system must be utilized to create global networking which enables unified collaboration of ministry. An example is the regular meeting of international mission organizations and field workers of the Tibetan region which is held in ChiangMai, Thailand. Young Korean missionaries are also annually getting together in Bangkok to discuss the future plan of Korean world mission. Recently, East Asia ethnic minority pioneering team is in cooperative work with the Myanmar churches of the Li tribe in producing the new translation of the Lisu bible. As well as helping them to reach out to other people groups in the region.

 

4.      Conclusion

There are still thousands of tribes and tongues in the world who have not heard the gospel, many of whom live along the “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail” These people have long carried their own unique culture and ways of living and remain as an unreached people of hidden places. The Korean church is called to participate in the evangelizing of the west. They are encouraged to pray for the mission work along the “Ancient Tea-Horse Trail” Also they are expected to be involved in the sending of more specialized workers into fields where mission work is prohibited. Above all, Korean churches need to focus more on global networking.

I sincerely pray that this humble thesis will provide as a stepping stone to further researches to come and together serve for the extension of the kingdom of God.