In Chinese the word for “sea turtle” sounds the same as to “return home from overseas” so in everyday life those who have been overseas and then return to China are called “sea turtles.”
Every year thousands of Chinese come to Australia for study, and every year thousands also return home after a life changing experience of studying abroad. Some of them have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and will return home with a new faith. Sadly, experience shows that within a year of returning, 50-80% of them will leave this new faith behind.
Thriving Turtles is a ministry dedicated to seeing these new “Christian sea turtles” successfully transition back to China, to thrive in their faith and be a blessing to China.