An Analysis of the urban health ministry in the Adventist church in the Hang-Ning Area, China : a multiple case study

Abstract

This study addressed the missiological challenge arising from the limited strategy of Chinese Adventists in responding to the Chinese interest in a healthy lifestyle. It involved an extensive review of literature on the significance of a healthy lifestyle in Chinese culture and the Adventist Church, the current Adventist responses to this interest, and the development of guidelines for a holistic urban health mission strategy. The study employed a qualitative multiple case study design, focusing on the Hang-Ning urban area of southeast China. The findings revealed a growing demand for healthy lifestyle services among the Chinese with sub-health conditions and chronic diseases, and the government’s efforts to address this issue. These factors create a strategic opportunity for the Chinese Adventist Church to advance its urban health mission. Also, notable similarities exist between the ideology of traditional Chinese medicine and the Adventist health principles of nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, temperance, air, rest, and trust in God (NEWSTART), or guidelines of choices, exercise, liquid, environment, belief, rest, air, temperance, integrity, optimism, nutrition, and social support (CELEBRATIONS). Research shows that many Chinese Adventists undervalue health mission work. Those actively involved often neglect the cultural relevance of gospel communication and the role of culture in shaping faith and outreach. The findings highlight the need for guidelines to inform a holistic urban health mission strategy in the Chinese Adventist Church. The analysis of data revealed five significant challenges faced by Chinese Adventists in urban health mission work: limited involvement, lack of an official health mission agenda, absence of a specific health mission workplace, shortage of professional teams, and inadequate evangelism strategies. This study proposed five strategic guidelines: enhancing Adventist involvement in urban health mission, establishing an official health mission agenda, building a dedicated health center, forming multidisciplinary mission teams, and developing contextualized gospel communication methods. These guidelines are grounded in biblical and missiological principles such as ensuring cultural relevance, identifying shared values, building gospel bridges, preventing syncretism, and demonstrating the advantages of Adventist health philosophy. All these principles are interconnected and form a holistic urban health mission strategy. The study concluded with practical recommendations for mission strategies, leadership development, discipleship development, and further research, providing a foundational framework for advancing the Adventist Church’s urban health mission in the Chinese cultural context.