August and September 2003
 
TURMOIL AMIDST BLESSING
 
For millions of Christians in China today, they are enjoying great blessings in some places while in other places there is turmoil and suffering. Reports indicate that new church buildings are being erected, baptisms and church membership is increasing dramatically all over the country, and Taiwan is appealing for 3,000 English teachers. At the same time, in many places there is expanding coercion for unregistered churches to register, and imprisonment of many leaders who refuse.
 
LET'S BEGIN WITH THE JOY OF CHURCH CONSTRUCTION
 
A worker who visits China regularly reports that he and his wife participated in the dedication of two churches in Gansu: the Wenfeng and Weiyang churches. They report that 7 other church dedications are being planned for the next weeks and 8 new church construction projects are underway. Church buildings are an important development in China these days as they bring legality, credibility and religious freedom to the Church of China. American and Canadian churches and individuals are helping our Chinese brothers and sisters in these construction projects, and some are sending representatives to China to witness the dedications of these buildings. The pastor of the newly dedicated Chenzhou church is conducting seeker classes for 80 professionals. On August 3rd, he held a baptismal service at which time 60 people were baptized! In September, training classes for church leaders in the Wenfeng church will begin. There is a tremendous shortage all over the country for trained leaders who can lead churches and small groups. Some of these groups number as many as 200 but have no trained leader.  
 
PLEASE NOTE: Anyone interested in helping with church construction may send a gift marked FIRST ALLIANCE CHURCH ORLANDO and mail it to me at 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746. One hundred percent of these gifts are sent to China, and all gifts are tax deductible.
 
LET'S CONTINUE WITH EVANGELISM EXPLOSION (EE) IN MONGOLIA
 
As this report is being written, an EE Clinic is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia where 32 trainees are in training. Sixteen of the people are from Ulaantaatar and 16 others from countryside church groups. Twenty-four churches are represented with men and women ranging in age from 18-68. Of this group, 15 are pastors who are committed to training their people to be witnesses for Christ. Throughout the country of Mongolia, there are 200 churches actively using EE for spreading the Good News!
 
LET'S THINK ABOUT TAIWAN
 
From Mission To Unreached Peoples comes the challenge report that the Education Department of Taiwan recently opened up 3,000 teaching positions for Americans to teach in their public schools. Not only that, but they offer each teacher a salary that ranges from US$1,400 to $2,000 a month plus a bonus and other benefits. Here is an open door for anyone to serve the Lord through English and to develop contacts with students that will have eternal benefits. Not long after this offer was made, the Mormon Church offered 60 teachers to the program without charge to the government. The Taiwan government has already signed a contract with them. Taiwan churches are concerned about an influx of these teachers in elementary and high schools of the nation. This is an urgent call to the church to rise up and take advantage of this opportunity to affect thousands of lives for future generations. For further information, contact me or Mission to Unreached Peoples, Box 30947, Seattle, WA 98103 or by phone at 206-781-3151.
 
NOW THE BAD NEWS
 
Last month I urged readers to contact the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC to ask for the release of Pastor Gong. This report comes from Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association, who talked with the pastor's sister recently. As the result of media coverage of his imprisonment and bad treatment, his brother and sister were permitted to visit him in the Jinghou prison. A heavy glass separated them and they reported that he looked very fragile and pale. He did not speak at all but simply nodded his head to their questions. It appeared that his mouth was badly bruised from beatings. No medical treatment was offered when he was taken to a doctor. Pastor Gong was moved to Hong Shan prison in Wuchang, Wuhan for better security as a result of leaks to the media in the USA. He is in complete isolation at last report. Pastor Gong is the pastor of a flourishing house church that refuses to register with the government. 
 
NOTE: Some people have reported that they were able to talk with someone in the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC about this pastor's imprisonment, but most of the time, you can only leave a message on the answering machine. You can also write a polite letter appealing for humane treatment and release by addressing your letter to Ambassador Yang Jiechi, Embassy of the People's Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. Telephone # 202-328-2500.
 
OTHER INCIDENTS IN CHINA
 
Officers of the Public Security Bureau raided a 4 a.m. prayer meeting in Shan City, Zhejiang Province and assaulted the believers present. Three leaders were arrested  including the 80 year old founder of the church. The three men are being held in an unknown location, but their families have no idea where they are. One man on the "most wanted" list escaped out of a window. He is the author of tracts urging people to accept Christ. This church is connected with the Little Flock, founded by Watchman Nee.
 
In Heng Peng Village, 300 police raided the church during services on July 6 and then demolished the building. The people now worship in several homes in the area.
 
According to a report in the Wusi Daily, by the end of June more than 200 illegal temples (Buddhist) and more than 100 churches were either closed or demolished.
 
Six leaders in Shoayang, Hunan were detained and sentenced to prison. 80 other people were also detained while attending a funeral service. 
 
Three house church leaders in Sichuan Province were sentenced in July to "re-education" through hard labor.  All of the people detained here and above were accused of "organizing evil cultic activities," a popular accusation pinned on church leaders.
 
GOOD NEWS ABOUT MY LATEST BOOK
 
Red Runs The River is the name of my newest book that tells the tragic, yet victorious story in fiction form, of the severe persecution the church in China has endured for more than 50 years under Communist rule. It has been sent to several publishers for review. Pray that one will decide to publish it or that I will be given direction as to how to proceed. My other books, To China and Back, Giants Walked Among Us, and The Jack and Jenny Mystery Series are all available. These books will encourage prayer for China and will add a lot to your own or church library. Contact me for prices or check them out on http://www.bollback.com
 
Anyone wishing to be deleted from this list, simply indicate that by return e-mail and your request will be honored immediately. On the other hand, I hope you will pass this on to your friends and churches and inform them that they can be added to the list by sending their e-mail address.

Yours through the all-powerful Name of Jesus,

Anthony Bollback