PRAISE GOD

The new church in Wuhan so many have prayed for and contributed to over the past months has been granted permission to open and use the facility! After several delays and other obstacles, the doors to this wonderful training center are finally open. There has been great rejoicing that God has overcome every obstacle and provided the means by which hundreds will be trained for ministry during this next year.

This eight story structure will make possible an auditorium seating 1,000 people and dormitory rooms for about 120 short term students who will be trained for periods of 3 to 6 months. The nearby seminary prepares pastors. This short term Bible School prepares leaders who often do the work of pastors in smaller communities and new church plants.

CHINA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY COSPONSORS MEETINGS

Seventy-five cross-cultural ministries workers attended a retreat sponsored by the China Graduate School of Theology at Dorset Campus recently. Studies involved raising the concern of workers in ministering to the poor. In November, they will cosponsor a follow-up conference of Amsterdam 2000 in cooperation with the Billy Graham Association to develop and encourage the vision of Chinese evangelists and to call the Chinese church to make evangelism their priority.

There are 1.2 billion Chinese in China and over 70 million Chinese overseas. For every five people or three non-believers in the world, there is one Chinese! The Chinese church is rising to the challenge to reach their own people and see a strong, vibrant, evangelistic church developed. 

SHANGHAI TODAY

Shanghai is one of the world’s largest cities with 16 million people residing within its borders. It has always been an important door to China, and it is rapidly becoming one of the most challenging opportunities open in China today. An amazing fact is that there are 70,000 plus foreign nationals residing within the city and working for foreign companies. A shopping tour will testify that many, many products are made in China. Work is now being done among these foreign nationals who also need Jesus Christ. Many already are believers which opens an incredible outreach to their employees. Pray for the distribution of DVD’s of the Jesus Film that are gladly received.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN LIKE IN CHINA?

In Theology, News and Notes, Jonathan Chao answers this question. It is especially important for western believers to take note of what is involved. He says: "Essentially, the Christian life, whether in China or America is the same insofar as the nature of that Christian life is concerned, namely the outflow of the life of Christ. However, the context of Christian life in China and America differs. The chief difference is one of persecution and hardship for Christians in China to live out their Christian faith and life.  In China it is costly to be a Christian and to live a consistent  life, and it is almost inevitable for a believer  to enter into situations of conflict, suffer physical beatings and often imprisonment for the sake of Christ. .... This produces in the believer a sense of the reality of their faith. In the process they grow in their understanding of the meaning of suffering together with Christ, dying with Christ, and thus experience His resurrection power.” That is something for American Christians to think about in terms of their own commitment, and to earnestly pray for their Chinese brothers and sisters who are suffering in so many ways.

THE CHINA GOAT PROJECT KEEPS ROLLING ALONG

This project has caught the attention of many people who have a heart for expanding Christ’s work in China. We are now up to 19 pairs of goats that will produce good revenue for poor farmers and open up neglected communities to the gospel. Please continue to pray for this work to prosper and hundreds of people to find Christ.

“GIANTS WALKED AMONG US”

The story of Paul and Ina Bartel will be off the press in March of next year.  Christian Publications, Inc. has just informed me that it will be in circulation within a few months. As I wrote this inspiring story, I thought of the many people who will read it, and I prayed that literally thousands would make a new commitment to Christ as the result. It is inspiring, challenging, and possible for each of us to live our lives like this couple for the glory of God.

WWW.BOLLBACK.COM

Our new web site address makes it easy to log on and find out lots of news about China, our Senior ministry, and our books. We are pleased with the response and ask that you pray that many people seeking information about China will find the site and be helped.

PASS ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE

People are constantly asking to be included on the mailing list because someone forwarded this report to them or their church. Thanks for your help in increasing the circulation of this report. Anyone may simply request to be added to the list. Likewise, anyone may request to be dropped from the list at any time. This report is for those who are interested in praying for China and reaching one fourth of the world’s population.

RETURNING TO FLORIDA SOON

For the past several months we have been serving as interim pastor of Kapahulu Bible Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. On January 2^nd we complete the interim and return to Kissimmee. Thanks for your prayer support and patience with less than prompt responses due to the technical difficulties we have encountered.