Dir Zhao Dayong and David Bandurski, China, 2009. Documentary, 77 minutes. English and Mandarin w/ English subtitles. For more information, visit dgeneratefilms.com My Fathers House provides a rare glimpse inside the immigrant African community in Guangzhou by following the turbulent story of an underground church founded by Nigerian missionaries. In Nigeria Pastor Daniel Michael Enyeribe has a revelation to bring the word of God to China. He joins a booming community of African merchants who have settled in the southern city of Guangzhou and established the Royal Victory Church for both Africans and Chinese to worship. After being raided by police enforcing strict laws regulating religious practice, Pastor Daniel flees to Hong Kong, where he uses video conferencing to lead his congregation from afar. Pastor Ignatius assumes daily management of the church, while struggling to support his Chinese wife and their young child. My Fathers House offers a rich perspective on religious freedom and immigrant life, two facets of life in contemporary China largely ignored by the mainstream media. The church functions as the spiritual center for the ever-growing African community in Guangzhou. Traders arrive to China looking for opportunity, but struggle with cultural, personal and financial challenges. Overwhelmingly male and largely single, they form a support network to stay out of trouble through sports and fellowship, deal with Chinese authorities, and seek Christian converts …
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