Being overseas Chinese intellectuals, we have some earnest concerns deep in our hearts. We are concerned about our personal academic future, the well being of our children, and the struggles of our fellow overseas Chinese. Most of all, we are concerned about the pulse of our motherland. All these concerns indicate that we all have a sense of mission and responsibility, and we are seeking the answers of three basic questions: Where am I from? Where am I now? Where am I going?

Where Am I From ?

We are from China. We have witnessed the various movements, ideological "isms", systems and teachings. No matter which generation you belong to, your personal experiences closely relate to the ups and downs of our country. All of us have tasted the bitterness of seeking and hoping, being disappointed and agitated. However, we believe that fortitude comes from afflictions, and enlightenment from wondering. Only through these crucibles will we become men and women of great prospects. With this genuine hope, we are a people carved with the scars of our history.

Where Am I ?

We live abroad. We reside in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. We are the few lucky ones among 1.2 billion Chinese. We can soar high in the sky of freedom and dive deep into an ocean of knowledge. We have witnessed with our own eyes the advance of technology and democracy based on the Christian faith. However, we are also witnessing the malfunction of a post-modern society that is turning away from God and Christian values. We are a group of Chinese in need of keen discretion to ponder these things deeply and wisely.

On the other hand, we are also strangers struggling in a new world. We have all experienced difficulties in school, in job hunting, and in just surviving. Some of us have failed; others have succeeded; Some wandered off, others found a home for the soul. We are a group of travelers who need to strive together.

Where Am I Going ?

We are marching into the world. The world has embraced China; we have become a member of the "Global Village"; and we have close interaction with every nation and race. While the world is re-establishing a new order in economy, environment and values, we understand that there is yet another, more important pursuit laid before China. In her drive toward modernization she should not neglect the renewing of the soul and heart. History has proven that man can never lift himself off the ground by pulling his own hair. The rebirth of the Chinese culture and nationality may only be realized when men's limited rationality and conscience are united with the infinite wisdom of God, through His revelation as the Creator. Only then can we enter into a new world of love and strength.

We hope that the true light of God will shine through our hearts, and re-establish the relationship between man and the Creator. Only when the relationship between Chinese and God is correctly restored will the natural order of man and self, man and man, man and nature be rebuilt. We are a group of builders who need to follow the truth.

Based upon this understanding, we publish this magazine "Overseas Campus", which belongs to all overseas Chinese students and scholars. We are Christian intellectuals from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other parts of the world. We all have made the most important choice of our lives in search for the truth: to re-focus ourselves. We, who were once self-centered, now acknowledge the sovereignty of God. Ever since that moment, God is no longer merely a "concept" to be studied, but rather a "substance" with which man can have a relationship. The joy of enlightenment, the change of life and the certainty of faith have become our new experience. Therefore, we publish this magazine with a shared confidence that the Good News that brings forth faith, hope and love is the only hope for today's Chinese. The renewed life is the foundation of all modernization. We hope that by the grace of God and the teaching of the Bible, this magazine can introduce you to biblical values and views on life, morality, marriage, and technology, while teaching us to apply all these concepts to our daily lives. We also hope that through this magazine, we can dialogue, in the "Forum of Faith" section, with our friends who are thirsty for the Truth. Moreover, we are more than willing to share our personal testimonies in the "Journey of the Heart" section, about our own spiritual journeys.

We welcome all readers and writers with a sense of mission to participate in our magazine. We are looking forward to receiving articles with solid and honest content. We also need straight-forward opinions and advice. We need all your good-natured support. By publishing this magazine, we hope to gather widely from the wisdom of Chinese intellectuals, and become a mouth-piece of conscience and a testimony to the truth.

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Rev. Edwin Su is Director and Chief Editor of Overseas Campus Magazine.