China has plunged into cultural and moral confusion in its ongoing transformation to post-communism. The successive demise of Confucianism, Communism, and Secular Democracy as cultural ideals has spawned a profoundly materialistic and opportunistic society without a moral compass.

Chinese intellectuals traditionally have been the ones to articulate the defining principles of their culture. Today, they grope for answers in a world littered with shattered dreams.

The Enlightenment’s secular humanism that captured their hearts and minds one hundred years ago - in both communist and capitalist forms - has inflicted unexpected carnage and corruption.

Nothing has arisen to take its place…
...except Christianity.

For the first time in Chinese history, multitudes of educated Chinese probe the Scriptures to find meaning for their personal and national existence. For many, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is providing hope, transformation, and light for their path.

Many of them seek nothing less than the construction of a new culture, modern but yet Chinese, for the world's most populous nation…a daunting undertaking. 

They must re-think their deepest cultural roots, recover their own Christian heritage, and somehow connect with the massive rural church. Although only they can formulate a truly Chinese Christianity, they need - and often welcome - the help of believers from other lands.

Christians in the West draw upon a rich and sustained tradition of Christian reflection and practice. As long as we receive this heritage critically, we can pass on its finer lessons to our friends in China, and help them re-enter the universal family of God.

This task must engage the entire church, especially the Chinese overseas in Asia and the West. No single group possesses the resources to reach, disciple, and equip Chinese intellectuals for their awesome and momentous undertaking.

The stakes are enormous: With China emerging as the dominant power of Asia and perhaps eventually the world, the nature of its leading moral and social philosophy will greatly influence the impact it has upon other nations.

Under the sovereignty of God,
that pre-eminent faith could become…
…the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

China Institute desires to serve as a bridge between the best of Western Christianity and Chinese who seek to know and share the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

OUR STORY

Charlottesville

China Institute has been registered as a non-profit organization since the fall of 1989. Beginning as a Bible study with Wright and one Chinese man, in 1990, China Institute has grown into a small but vibrant ministry to Chinese in five countries on three continents.

That initial Bible study became a group that met on Fridays for a dozen years, until God led us to cease in 2012.

Meanwhile, we started International Christian Fellowship, which for ten years held worship services in English on Sundays for Chinese living in Charlottesville.

Through these two groups, more than fifty people trusted in Christ and received baptism.

In 1993, some Chinese students at the University of Virginia decided to study the Bible together. Soon, they asked Wright to serve as their adviser. From then until 2015, when the Doyles moved to Texas, this group, which at its peak numbered almost 100 students, served as a loving fellowship for ethnic Chinese students. Wright spoke almost weekly, while Dori provided hospitality. Kevin Sawyer mostly took Wright’s place in 2013.

The Doyles began a sermon discussion group in Mandarin for Chinese attending Trinity Presbyterian Church in the early 1990s. That became a regular feature of the church’s outreach to Chinese.

Adding new partners and helpers

Over the past thirty years, our team has grown from two people – Wright and Dori Doyle –  to more than a dozen partners and assistants.

Currently, our partners live in the United States (Virginia, Texas);  Cambridge, England; British Columbia, Canada; Taichung, Taiwan; and East Asia.

Most of us engage in direct ministry to Chinese through personal friendship, Bible studies, preaching, and teaching.

Wright Doyle also spends much of his time writing articles, book reviews, prayer letters, and books. You may see a list of his books on the Books page of this site.

For more about our people, see Our Team.