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March 2001 |
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EXCITING BLESSING AND SOBERING PERSECUTION As I have stated many times before, China is experiencing one of the greatest revivals known in history while at the same time, there is extreme persecution in many places. That seems to be a strange paradox, but it is true. These monthly reports bring you some authentic and thrilling reports of what is happening in the Church of China, both in the registered church as well as the unregistered churches. Usually in each edition, I also report on the severe troubles house churches are suffering. Do not be confused by these reports that seem to contradict each other. Both are true, and only as one understands both sides, will the true picture emerge of the unusual things taking place in this vast land. Let’s start with the blessings. EE INTERNATIONAL IN ASIA Evangelism Explosion (EE) reports that in the 20 EE clinics held in Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong last year, 799 clinicians were trained and they were able to lead more than 1,300 to a profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Clinics are being planned for Mongolia in August as well as China. EE has been especially blessed of God as it provides people and Chinese people, in particular, an effective means of sharing their faith with others. Pray for these clinics as they have the potential of touching millions of lives. RELIGION ON CHINESE UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES A reliable report comes from a recent survey done at 12 major Chinese universities where 45% of the faculty and student body indicated they believed in religion. The report did not indicate any particular religion, but it is an astounding figure revealing the intense spiritual hunger of the Chinese people in China. The report also indicates that there are almost 1 billion three hundred million Chinese people in China and it is estimated that upwards of 120 million are Christians. The intense difficulties Chinese people have encountered in years past, the profound effect of Christian radio broadcasts to China, and the dedication of pastors and leaders, both within the registered church and the house church movement, and of course, the mighty movement of the Holy Spirit, accounts for this explosive growth. CHRISTIAN RADIO PENETRATES THE WHOLE LAND Short wave radios have penetrated the most remote areas of the vast country of China, and as a result, Christian radio has been able to penetrate these remote regions where workers are few in number. The Alliance Radio ministry in Hong Kong has been careful to produce programs by Chinese for Chinese in China. They carefully study the cultural changes affecting society today, and they produce relevant programs to meet the people’s need. No program is translated, but all are original Chinese productions and messages by dedicated and committed people with a burden to reach their people. Thousands of dollars are contributed monthly by Chinese to evangelize by radio. Pray that every need will be met and millions touched with the gospel. THE WUHAN CHURCH BUILDING PROJECT It has been exciting to receive many, many gifts for the Wuhan Church elevator project. However, as generous as the gifts have been, we have only reached one third of the estimated cost of $8,000. Please send your gift to me as soon as possible. Make your check out to First Alliance Church Orlando for a tax-deductible receipt. On Easter Sunday, it is reported that the cornerstone will be laid in a celebration of praise and thanksgiving. The elevator is urgently needed because occupancy will not be granted unless it is installed. Think of the joy of making it possible for this church to reach out to this great industrial complex of Central China. Mail your gift to me at 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746 for transfer to China. When the old C&MA Mission headquarters building was razed to make way for this 1,000 seat, eight story church that we saw with our own eyes, I told you about the old cornerstone from the house. Carved in stone are three Chinese characters that constitute the name of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Chinese. Those three characters are well-known throughout China and the world because of the wide circulation of the Bible Magazine which most pastors and Christian workers read. The first of the three characters means "to proclaim" or announce. The second means "blessing" which carries the thought of something abundant and unusual. The third means an organization. Thus, a literal translation for the C&MA in Chinese is simply "The proclaim the abundant blessing organization or society." It is a name well-known throughout the Chinese Christian world because of the profound effect of the Bible Magazine Wilson Wang and Paul Bartel once edited. Word has just reached me that the old cornerstone, with those three characters, will be set in place as the new cornerstone for the church in Wuhan. Rising eight stories high with an additional prayer tower and 12 foot cross on top, it will be a spectacular light shining in the darkness. MISSIONARY FROM KOWLOON TONG INTERNATIONAL CONGREGATION Lulu Wong met Jesus Christ in the Kowloon Tong International English Congregation after returning from France where she had studied French for two years. Having spent four years in the banking and tourism business, she was ideally prepared to become the church secretary for three years. During that time, she heard God calling her into missionary service. After a short-term trip to Cote d’Ivoire around 1998, she returned and offered herself for missionary work to WEC International (the mission started by C. T. Studd). On February 4, 2001, the elders of the Kowloon Tong Church commissioned her for cross-cultural service in Guinea. She is presently engaged in the study of a tribal language. Her pastor, Rev. James Bollback (my son), reports that she is the first missionary sent out from the English congregation although the Chinese church has many other missionaries on the field. NOW THE OTHER SIDE In a recent article published in WORLD Magazine, Mindy Belz reports a very disturbing situation at China’s most prestigious seminary in Nanjing. Beginning three years ago, Bishop Ting, well-known leader and spokesman of the seminary, adopted a new slogan for the seminary, "Construct Chinese Theology." He called for "theological adaptation to socialism." According to the report, Professor Ji Tai protested and used every opportunity to preach on the subjects of original sin, the second coming, and justification by faith. He refused to support the "process theology" to conform Christian teaching to socialist and Marxist philosophy. He has been dismissed from his teaching position. Another professor, Wang Weifan, was officially retired because he is 78 years old, but he told WORLD that Bishop Ting who is 84, pushed him out because of his evangelical position. Many students are protesting the dismissals, but in turn they have been put out, some just before graduation. Sweeping conservatives from the seminary and attempting to force Communist philosophy on students and churches is predicted to meet much opposition from many pastors and leaders throughout the country. There are godly leaders in all of the seminaries and Bible Schools who continue to maintain spiritual purity. They work under severe conditions at times, but they are willing to stand for the truth. A growing movement among evangelicals is called the Third Wave. A spokesman says, "We would like to have a middle way between the Three Self and house churches. Third Wave or independent churches would fulfill government requirements for registration but would not adhere to state-sanctioned religion." They admit that this may be an impossible hope. One thing seems clear. Evangelical pastors and leaders will not tolerate the dilution of the gospel, and as they were willing in the past to suffer for Christ, so they will again. UNIVERSITY TEACHER STABBED TO DEATH Recently in the city of Wuhan, an American teacher, Bruce Morrison, was stabbed to death by a man he had previously counseled. When the man asked to speak with him privately at a meetings of believers, Bruce took him to another room where the man stabbed him to death. Bruce had been in China at the university for 10 years and leaves his wife and six young children. At the funeral service, Chinese authorities were amazed and dumbfounded that Mrs. Morrison played the piano and testified of her forgiveness for the man who killed her husband. Pray for her as she has some very difficult decisions to make as she cares for her family. This sad incident has nothing to do with politics, but was the act of a deranged man. It points out the fact that we must constantly surround Christian workers with our prayers, and trust God that in such incidents that He will be glorified. ON A HAPPIER CONCLUSION One thing is very evident. God is working in China and among Chinese around the world. In Panama, Michael and Mei-Chu Liang have completed language study and have taken over the Chinese church in the city. They replace my dear friends Rev. Andrew and Ruth Leung who will now devote themselves to ministry at the Chinese Bible School for Central and South America. Dozens and dozens of Chinese churches are springing up all over South and Central America. The Leungs, who spent many years at the Alliance Bible Seminary in Hong Kong, are ideally equipped for this important ministry. SECOND MONGOLIAN CHURCH IN DARKHAN The believers in Darkhan, Mongolia have divided their church to form a second one to reach their city and country. Their hope is that during this year, they will each divide again to form a new church bringing their total to four! Some very unusual things are happening in Mongolia. Pray for the rapid spread of the gospel. THE PAUL BARTEL BIOGRAPHY Many of you have been asking about the progress of Paul and Ina Bartel’s biography that I have been working on. At the beginning of February, it was received by Christian Publications, Inc in Harrisburg, publishers of the Jaffray Series. Pray that the editors will look with favor on it and send word that it has been accepted. In the meantime, I just have to wait and hope. It will be published by some publishing house, but I am hopeful that it will make its way into the Jaffray Series. AN INVITATION Many have forwarded these reports on to praying friends. Please continue to do so, and invite them to request a subscription to this monthly report. The main purpose is to stir up prayer interest for this great land of China and her people scattered around the world. Likewise, if at any time, anyone wishes to be removed from the mailing list, please do not hesitate to make that request.
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