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May 2001 |
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GOD AT WORK If ever there was an hour when China needed prayer it is now. Leaving behind old ideas and breaking with former religious thought, China has emerged into the 21st century as a nation to be reckoned with by the other great powers of the world. The recent incident of the American reconnaissance plane clearly shows something of China's future intentions. It is a nation to be taken seriously in the political realm, but more importantly, it is a nation that demands the utmost attention and prayers of Christians. This report will show how urgent is the matter of prayer for this nation of spiritually hungry people. THE WUHAN CHURCH ELEVATOR PROJECT It is with a heart full of praise that I can report to you that $3,050.00 has been sent to Hong Kong for the Wuhan Church in Central China. These funds will be transmitted to them by our people in Hong Kong who make frequent trips to work with the church and teach in the seminary. There is great rejoicing for every dollar received. Please look at the April issue on my web site for several recent pictures of the progress on the building. On Easter Sunday, the cornerstone was laid and all scaffolding on this eight-story structure had been removed. Work continues on the interior with hopes that soon the sanctuary will be completed and services begun. Thank you, everyone, who contributed funds for this project and for the many hundreds who are praying for this church. It is worthy of our earnest intercession. Contributions may continue to be added at any time by making a check to First Alliance Church Orlando and sending it to me at 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746. CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE WIDOW OF BRUCE MORRISON From all reports of the triumphant funeral service and the expressed forgiveness of Mrs. Morrison for the mentally disturbed young man who stabbed her husband to death, government authorities are amazed and people are witnessing the great joy of the Christian in the hope of the resurrection. Prayer is urgently requested for Mrs. Morrison and her six daughters who will remain in Wuhan to continue the work God called her to do. CHINA OUTREACH MINISTRIES With thousands of China's best students studying in American universities, China Outreach Ministries is making a very special effort to reach as many as possible. They are the future leaders of China. What they learn about Christ today in the USA could affect the entire nation in the future. Richard and Joanna Fullner of COM serve at the University of Washington. They report completing a 6 hour course on Basic Christianity. Twenty-two students registered in advance, but 29 showed up the first night. The second week, the number increased to 32. Pray for these students who have been exposed to Christianity by these dedicated staff people, and pray that the seed planted will bear much fruit. COLLEGE STUDENTS HEAD FOR CHINA THIS SUMMER Dozens of committed young people from our colleges will be heading for China this summer to teach English classes in many parts of China. One of the urgent needs of the nation is to learn English. That provides Christian students a marvelous opportunity to make contact with thousands of students, and to point them to Jesus. The great mystery is that Chinese authorities are fully aware of the purpose of these college students, yet they continue to invite them to come to China to teach. Of course, these students must use wisdom in their contacts. Pray that God will endow them with the special gift of discernment and make them a powerful witness at universities and colleges all across China AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST David Chow, the Executive Director of Ambassadors for Christ states in the brochure announcing the Chinese Mission 2001 Conference to be held in Philadelphia December 26-30, 2001 "that China, the most populous nation in the world, is a vast mission field. Yet the future leaders of this vast nation live next door to us here in America- in our colleges and universities! The vision of Ambassadors for Christ is to evangelize and disciple Chinese university students and professionals". Since its beginning in 1983, Chinese Mission conferences have been attended by well over 7,000 Chinese and non-Chinese people of all ages. Outstanding speakers have been engaged to teach on a great variety of subjects vital to the growing needs of the Chinese church. Pray for this conference, and interest your Chinese friends to attend. THE SUFFERING CHURCH MOVES FORWARD Remember that throughout China there are many churches preaching the pure, unadulterated Word of God. Do not assume that if a church is registered with the government that it is liberal and parroting the party line. There are thousands of churches open today that unashamedly and fearlessly preach the Word of God. At the same time, there are many groups and individuals that are suffering intensely from persecution and arrest. It was reported on October 16, 2000, that twenty-one year old Liu Haitao, from Heinan province, died as the result of a severe beating by local police. A kidney ailment was listed as the cause of death, but there is no question that his death was the result of his witness for Christ. Christian martyrs are not as frequent as in past years, but still thousands are persecuted in various forms for their faith. The Central government officials have expanded the powers given to local police to stop, search and interrogate suspects, which could mean more difficulties for believers. However, the church continues its miraculous growth, and believers continue to be bold in their faith. The result, though, is that new life continues to spring up and the church flourishes. SPIRITUAL GROUPS SIMILAR TO FALUN GONG UNDER PRESSURE China has launched attacks against other groups similar to the Falun Gong for fear they will grow to challenge the government. Chinese authorities have declared Shenchang Human Body Science group as an "evil cult." They teach people how to obtain physical and spiritual well being through Buddhist-based beliefs and martial arts-based exercises. Other similar groups have come under scrutiny and some leaders have been arrested. Prayer is urgently needed for house church leaders, as well as pastors of registered churches, to be truly led by the Spirit and given unusual wisdom in dealing the government. Several pastors told us personally when we were in China last year that they try to do everything according to the law of the land without compromising their faith. Pray for them in these difficult situations. CHRISTIAN RADIO FACED WITH GREAT CHALLENGES Alliance Radio in Hong Kong reports great blessing and many responses from China to their broadcasts. Pray that the needed funds of US $400,000 will be supplied for this year's budget. A listener recently wrote: "My church is a remote one and we do not have a pastor, so we must depend on those who can read to lead us in Bible study. Since there is no pastor to conduct baptisms, it has been over two years since anyone was baptized. There are many people who would like to be baptized but there is no opportunity! Pray that this group of people in this isolated place will be led by the Spirit and kept free from the spreading cults throughout the country. BUDDHIST MONK SAVED From ADVANCE comes a report that a Buddhist monk in Asia, who has lived at the temple since he was 9 years old, became curious about other faiths while studying world religions at a university. He began to read the Bible in secret, and eventually came to the place of salvation. For two years he continued wearing his Buddhist robes but eventually realized that he had to leave the temple. He suffered rejection by his family, and dire circumstances for five years. Today he is a pastor and regularly visits the Buddhist temples to meet with and pray for other monks. Pray that God's Word will open many lives to Jesus Christ. AN UNUSUAL CONTACT WITH AN ISLAMIC TEACHER IN SAUDI ARABIA The Lord has given me a very unusual contact in Saudi Arabia. A friend received a message from Abdulah in Saudi Arabia seeking to convert her to Islam. She turned the letter over to me. God laid it on my heart to respond with my testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ. Abdulah received my response and now we have exchanged letters three times. He quotes the Koran to me, and I quote the all-powerful Word of God to him. I wrote to him today and told him that many people have begun to pray that he would come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior. Would you pray for Abdulah? What a wonderful opportunity to correspond with someone in Saudi Arabia where it is forbidden to share the gospel with Arabs. Pray that God will give me the right Scriptures and words to share with him. Remember also, that in China there are many Muslims in the northwest especially. They are especially resistant to the Gospel, but God's Word is like a rock and opens hard hearts. PRAY FOR MY BOOK MINISTRY Last month, the Nazarene Publishing House released my first book with them. It is called "JAPAN: Land of Great Surprises." It is a very interesting true story of our first year in Japan with our two oldest children. The book is for the Nazarene Church Sunday School curriculum and children ages 9-12. Excellent reports are reaching us of the impact on children and families. I have a supply of the books on hand for anyone interested. Write for information on how to receive it. DO ME A FAVOR PLEASE Send me the name and e-mail address of at least one other person in your church or among your acquaintances who would like to receive this report personally. If everyone sent me one more name, that would increase the prayer support tremendously. This report is now being sent monthly to more than 1,000 prayer partners for China. Help me reach twice as many and watch God at work through our concerted prayers.
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