| This study has identified conceptual issues for the development of receptor-oriented communication strategies among young, educated, urban Hui (YEU-Hui) Muslims in a China's northwestern cities in order to achieve culturally relevant churches in those areas.;The first part of this study addresses the cultural background of the Hui people and sociological characteristics YEU-Hui. The impact of modernization upon the YEU-Hui is specially analyzed as part of a church-planting feasibility study. As a result of this impact study, the field research found that the YEU-Hui are highly receptive to outside information, have a high probability for being new innovators, and a strategic class that may be able to bring change to the rest of the Hui. YEU-Hui cultural themes and related biblical messages are discussed for the purpose of culturally appropriate church planting.;The second part of this study addresses communication principles and strategies for planting churches among the YEU-Hui. The group's media preferences are investigated in field research by using theoretical studies in communication, media, and strategy. In addition to this, further field research suggested that a Christian virtual community approach through Internet is an effective strategy to planting offline churches in creative access areas, like Chinese Muslim situations. The methods that used to conduct the field research are qualitative and quantitative.;This writing missiologically impacts the theories of receptor-oriented mission strategy. A new approach is revealed---virtual community mission for planting offline churches---that integrates the use of local church-driven Internet community, traditional media, and offline task teams from a multi-ethnic local church. While the research focuses on the Chinese Muslim context, the identification of the young, urban, and educated as a strategic group for mission can be applied in other Muslim and non-Muslim contexts. This research is useful to cross-cultural communicators, church planters, and all those interested in interpersonal relationships.;The study includes a multi-disciplinary approach by reviewing precedent studies on culture, Muslim evangelism, urban sociology, biblical exegesis, contextual church planting, communication, and mission strategy. |
