Xiaodan began serving with CBM in Germany as part of the Chinese Ministries Team in 2011. She partners with the local organization Forum für Mission unter Chinesen in Deutschland (FMCD), introducing the gospel message to the many Chinese students studying in German universities, many of whom return home upon graduation.

Xiaodan was born in East Asia and grew up in an atheist family, first hearing about and accepting Christ while studying in Switzerland. She was baptized at the International Church of Basel in 2003. While participating in her church’s city outreach, she felt the call to mission, and in 2005 she entered full-time ministry. While studying at St. Chrischona Theological Seminary in Basel in 2007, she served through preaching, teaching Sunday School, and leading youth fellowship at Basel Chinese Christian Church. She also served as an intern at Hamburg Chinese Christian Church, where she saw the need within student ministry and has committed herself to minister to Chinese students ever since.

Philipp was born in Germany and began to believe in Christ at the age of 15. In 2009 he was baptized in a free church. Reading the biography of a German missionary led him to decide in 2013 to begin studies in Theology and Culture at the Intercultural Theological Academy in Bad Liebenzell. During and after his studies, he did a church internship and served as a youth pastor.

Xiaodan and Philipp were married in 2021. Through Xiaodan, Philipp learned about the ministry with Chinese students in Germany and decided to join her in Marburg. He finished his Master of Arts in Theology and Culture at AWM Korntal.