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November 2000 |
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Dear Friends: A few days ago we returned from Hong Kong and China, and a fabulous experience. It seemed like we were walking in the Book of Acts. We have never seen anything like this before. Whatever you have heard about the revival blessings flowing in China, multiply it a thousand times and you might get a little idea of what God is doing. NORTH POINT ALLIANCE CHURCH Nothing has changed in Hong Kong since it was returned to China! Churches are flourishing and bookstores are full of Christian books. Best of all the churches are growing and flourishing. We especially enjoyed visiting the North Point Alliance Church where we once served in the early days. When we started there, attendance had reached 5-600 in the Chinese service and 100 in the English service. Today, in a new location where the church has purchased the entire mezzanine floor of a huge skyscraper, almost 4,000 people attend church there every Sunday. It is beyond imagination. A beautiful sanctuary seats at least 1,000 people, and with multiple services they reach this great mass of people. There is a good bookstore in connection with the church just inside the lobby doors and easily accessible to the thousands of people who pass by every day. Their missionary vision puts many North American churches to shame as they give thousands of dollars for missionary work and outreach. THE INTERNATIONAL CONGREGATION OF THE KOWLOON TONG CHURCH Our son, Jim, pastors the International Congregation of the Kowloon Tong Church, and along with his wife, Alice, they are having a great ministry of outreach through Bible Study groups and mentoring of believers. At a special quarterly meeting of Filipino domestic maids where I spoke, 13 received Christ as Savior. Almost 300 people of many nationalities attend the weekly service on Sunday morning at the International church. A full program with AWANA, Sunday School, youth and College and Career is attracting many families into this thriving church. THE ALLIANCE PRESS IN HONG KONG After more than 50 years of ministry in China, the Alliance Press has once again opened a bookstore in Canton, China. It is located in a beautiful eight story church building which stands as a great land mark in the city. The store is much like the most modern Christian bookstores of America and includes a reading room with more than 100 regular registered readers. There are now five stores in Hong Kong, several in the USA and Canada, and this first one in China. Plans call for expansion as funds are available and permission is granted. NO LONGER A MYSTERY For far too long, people in America have heard the stores of persecution and suffering which does exist in some places in China. However, it is evident from what we have seen and heard from people in Hong Kong that isolated incidents are blown far out of proportion. Great liberty for registered churches exists, and many of these registered churches have dozens of house churches connected with them. They carry on their work of reaching great numbers of people without interference because they are associated with the registered Mother Church. It is a fact that pastors do not need to submit preaching material to authorities. Bibles are being printed in China by Amity Press at the rate of one every second, 8 to 10 hours a day. That means 3,600 Bibles and hour are pouring off the press. They are sold for about .15 and when people cannot purchase them, they are given away. There is much goodwill developing between church workers and government officials because the Christians are proving that they are good citizens of China, working hard to beautify the country and cities, and at all times, registered church people make it a point to obey all the laws of the country. That is bringing them great benefits as it should since that is what Jesus asked of His disciples. OUR FORMER HOME HAS BEEN RAZED The home we formerly lived in for several years in China was returned by the government to the church several years ago. Last year, the home was razed and in it’s place, an eight story reinforced concrete building is taking shape. I climbed to the eighth floor on hazardous steps without railings to reach the top and see the prayer chapel being prepared in the church tower. The first floor is the location of the sanctuary which will seat 800 people and the balcony on the next level will add an additional 2-300 people. Above that are several floors for classrooms and dorm space to house 120 short term Bible School students from outlying regions. One level will also be used as a home for the elderly. On top of the tower, a 12 foot wooden cross was being prepared. When we asked why they were using wood, they replied that this was only a test. If the 12 foot cross cannot be seen over most of the city, they will build it larger. This building rises in a mass of low 2-3 story buildings to become a landmark seen over a very wide area. The bridge crossing the Yangtze River is nearby, and every day, thousands of cars and buses cross the river. No one will be able to miss this church and the brightly painted cross. Praise God for courageous people of God who work with true vision in making Christ known. AN URGENT NEED The government has instructed the church that an elevator must be installed according to the new building code. Reluctantly, the shaft has been prepared and is in place, but they have no more funds for the elevator. More than half a million dollars has been contributed by Alliance churches in Hong Kong and the USA with government approval. The estimated cost of the elevator will be US $8,000! Would you like to have a part in installing the elevator so that the occupation permit can be granted by Easter? Here’s how you can help to make this possible. 1. Ask God how much He would have you give to this project. 2. Write a check to First Alliance Church Orlando for a special account they have opened for this project. One lump sum will be sent to the Hong Kong Field office designated for this project. 3. Mail the check to me: Anthony Bollback, 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746. 4. I will do the paper work of receipting for the church and will give them the checks. 5. Every couple of months the accumulated funds will be sent to the church. I believe God would be pleased to have American Christians make these funds available for the opening of this church. These gifts are all tax-deductible. THE CENTRAL CHINA SEMINARY In the same city, the pastor of the church and his wife, lead the seminary of over 200 students who are preparing for ministry. These are vibrant Christians who are working under difficult conditions to prepare people for ministry. Your prayer support for Rev. And Mrs. W will be greatly appreciated. Stand by them today, and one day, there will be a rich harvest of precious souls. GOOD NEWS ABOUT MY BOOKS The Alliance Press in Hong Kong has agreed to stock my "Jack and Jenny Mystery" books for children and to circulate them in Hong Kong. The Christian Literature Crusade has also agreed to circulate these books at their book tables and schools. Thank you for praying about this matter and for this new open door. One Chinese family purchased all five books and completed the reading of them within one week! Now they want more, so I will need to stay home and write. The problem is that God keeps opening new doors of ministry to us. November 5th, I became the interim pastor of the Daytona Alliance Church and will serve them for several months. Please pray for this congregation and us as we attempt to help them through a difficult period. Address all mail to our home address as usual. PASS THIS REPORT ON, PLEASE There has been so many negative reports about China, it is about time we passed along good, positive, true reports of what God is doing. Pray for Evelyn and myself as we are speaking in churches about the true conditions in China today. Please send this report to several people on your mailing list and let them also rejoice with us in the great things God is doing. Pray that the blessing will spill over to our land and our churches, and there will be the same hunger after God as is evident among our Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ. Anyone may request this e-mail letter by sending me an e-mail address.
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