Part 1: Anabaptists in the 604: The Chinese Canadian MB Story

Ever wondered how a 16th-century Russian renewal movement ended up thriving in the dim sum hubs of Metro Vancouver? In this episode of The Pearl Dive, our host Daniel plunges into the fascinating history of Chinese Canadian Mennonite Brethren (MB) churches with the “Jacques Cousteau of ethno-religious research,” Rev. Dr. Matthew Todd. From his early days as a 17-year-old volunteer to his deep-dive doctoral work on the “Silent Exodus,” Dr. Todd shares how God has been weaving a bicultural tapestry across the Pacific Rim.We’re breaking down the “happy headaches” of rapid church growth and why the MB theology—with its focus on community, high view of Scripture, and “right living”—works so well with Chinese cultural values. Whether you’re curious about how Hong Kong’s 1997 handover fueled a church planting boom or why an association of 20+ churches is the secret sauce to linguistic and cultural advocacy in denominations in Canada, this episode is a literal treasure chest. Grab your snorkel; it’s time to find some pearls!The Glossary: Talk Like a Pearl DiverIf some of the “academe-speak” went over your head, don’t worry—we’ve got the map. Here are the key terms you need to navigate this episode like a pro:* Anabaptist: A Protestant tradition originating in the 16th century emphasizing adult baptism and “radical” discipleship.* Silent Exodus: A term used to describe the phenomenon of second-generation Asian Americans/Canadians leaving the immigrant churches of their parents.* MB: sometimes jokingly referred to as Mostly Baptist, but really Mennonite Brethren,.* Mennocostal: A cheeky portmanteau for someone who blends Mennonite peace-loving, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount theology with Pentecostal fire!* GDR: No, not the former East Germany—in this context, it refers to the German, Dutch, and Russian roots of the early Mennonite Brethren.* MBCCA: Mennonite Brethren Chinese Churches Association. The “Avengers” of Chinese MB church planting and support.Small Group Discussion Questions* The “Pearl Diving” Metaphor: Dr. Todd and Daniel discuss “diving into history” to find heavenly treasures. How does knowing your specific community’s history (ethnic, denominational, or local) change the way you view your current spiritual walk?* Cultural Synergy: Dr. Todd mentions that Chinese cultural values (collectivism, respect for texts, ethical conduct) often align with Mennonite Brethren theological distinctives. Where else do you see “cultural bridges” between your own heritage and your faith tradition?* Faith, Family, and Identity: How do your cultural background and family expectations shape your experience of church and faith today?Connect with Pearl Dive & AACHIPearl Dive shares stories from the history of Asian American Christianity. New episodes explore the faith, courage, and contributions of Asian American Christians throughout history.“Someday everyone will know our stories.”Please like, comment, and share this episode — and keep searching and sharing pearls from our Asian American Christian history! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fulleraachi.substack.com