AG Bollback Ministries

NEW LIFE FOR TIBETANS

For centuries, Tibet has been a country strongly resistant to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Until 1950, there were no known believers among them as Tibetans practice the strictest form of Buddhism led by the Dalai Lama who is worshipped as a god with absolute power. Severe punishment, and even death, has been meted out to anyone who deviated from their religious practices. Missionaries and Chinese believers have longed for many decades to reach Tibetans, but were always restricted to the border state of Gansu. They prayed that Tibetans who crossed over would hear the gospel and receive Christ as their Savior. With the Communist take over of China in 1950, Tibet was also swallowed up. One can only say, "God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform," because China outlawed Tibetan Buddhism as it did all religions. The Dalai Lama was forced to flee for his life to India and Nepal where he resides to this day. Eventually this opened the door for believers from neighboring countries to enter Tibet and begin to share their faith in Christ. Today, there is an increasing number of believers in Tibet.

A TIBETAN TESTIMONY

A Tibetan woman who received Christ in India shares her testimony. After completing her Buddhist studies in Tibet, she eventually made her way out of Tibet over the Himalayan Mountains into the free land of India. There she continued her studies in Buddhism. One day she saw a Bible on a shelf, but her guru warned her never to touch the book. Whenever possible she read that Bible and discovered for the first time the name of Jesus. One day she read His words that He is always with those who believe in Him and He would never leave them. She had never heard anything about a god who had made such a promise before. She sought out Tibetan believers in India who led her to faith in Jesus Christ. Today she is longing to return to her country and make known the riches she has discovered in Christ Jesus. Lift her up in prayer today.

CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICES

Alliance Services-China Link asks a very important question. How does the church reach out to approximately 80% of the population of China who live in rural communities? How does it gain credibility so that it is accepted by society? How does it reach into the lives of 56 minority groups living in China? The answer is simply "community projects." These workers assist disadvantaged students with scholarships for school, rice for drought stricken farmers to plant, goats to enhance the standard of living and teach the people tithing, and even bridges and roads to connect remote villages. There are a multitude of ways to help China and by so doing open the door for the people to hear the gospel. Every project is done through a local church which gives it standing in the community and with the government. One church in southern China has opened four new counties to the gospel and is reaping a rich harvest. A report just received minutes ago states that construction has begun on four churches. One church is the very first in the entire county! Praise the Lord for the gifts that have made this possible for this rural congregation. Scholarships have been provided for leaders to attend training sessions. Pray for Rev. Chen and Rev Gong as they give leadership to these classes. If you are interested in assisting in such ways, send your gift to me by check made out to First Alliance Church Orlando for tax-deductible purposes. Every penny will be transmitted to these contacts in the C&MA, and China will be blessed.

AIJI PRINTING PRESS

Praise God that a Christian publishing company that started in 1995 is growing and having a great impact on China. It was granted permission by the government to open its doors in the town of Jiading about one hour's drive from Shanghai. An empty floor of an old factory next to the church was converted into an improvised printing shop. Since its opening, one piece of equipment after another has been added each year. Today, there are 23 workers employed and it is considered one of the bigger and better companies of Jiading. Recently, it was awarded the Chinese government's award for "Wholehearted Service and Law-Abiding Management," an example of how one church is serving the country. This officially sanctioned press is in addition to Amity Press that prints Bibles for China. Both are organizations registered with the government. However, please remember that these two presses are not able to keep up with the demand for Christian literature. Pray that as conditions improve in China, the government will allow more presses to open. Of course, there are several house church printing outlets that operate in secret because they are not registered or approved by the government. The Word goes forth in many different ways. Pray for God's blessing on His Word and the release of people from the bondage of sin and darkness.

A 40-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE FOR TAIWAN

On October 12th, 400 Taiwan churches began a 40 day spiritual pilgrimage using Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life." This has the potential of profoundly affecting the lives of believers for Christ and transforming churches. This is an exciting report that will bear much fruit immediately and for years to come. You will receive this report while the "pilgrimage" is still underway. Pray that the pastors and elders will be mightily used of God to guide the church in this exciting study, and pray that hundreds will come to know Christ as the result of renewed commitment to Him on the part of believers. By the way, if you haven't read the book in the 40 day study style, please do so. It will change your life as well.

CARD-CARRYING COMMUNIST STUDENTS

It is reliably reported by universities in Tianjin that 100,000 NEW applications for joining the Communist Party have been received from students. Since the first of the year, approximately 700,000 college students have joined the Party. Nearly 8% of China's students belong to the Party. There is an all-out drive by the Party to enlist students while at the same time, the churches are concentrating on students as well. All over there is a high priority to reach China's intellectuals. Pray for the 800,000 students attending American universities, and reach out to touch them while they are here in America.

THE "ONE ONLY" CHILD POLICY

Nanjin announces that exceptions will be made to the "one only" child policy of the Chinese government for couples who have a handicapped child, or father's who are a disabled police officer or a soldier. More importantly to those of us who abhor this abortion practice of only one child per couple, a new ruling states that couples may first adopt a child and still have one other of their own. Let us pray that this will open the door for many Christian couples to adopt a child first and thus be able to have two children to raise for God's glory.

ENGLISH IS A HOT SUBJECT

China is spending billions of yuan (Chinese money) to teach English to her students. It is common knowledge among students today that if you can't speak English, you won't get a good job! In fact, China is spending more money on teaching English than on the huge Three Gorges Dam that will be the world's largest dam when completed! Consequently, for American Christians able to teach English. this is a great open door sanctioned by the government. Age is not important. Degrees in English are. If you qualify, contact the organizations that have arrangements with the government, and go to work making contacts and influencing lives.

GRACE HOME FOR CHILDREN CLOSED

On August 5, police raided Grace Home in a southwestern city and confiscated all materials in the home including their bank book and cash, Bibles and Christian magazines. The leader, Sister D was taken into custody and questioned for two days. A police officer stated that they appreciated the work of the orphanage but had to close it down because (1) they had Bibles and literature printed overseas which is forbidden, (2) they teach the Bible to children which is also forbidden to children 18 and under, and (3) it was not registered with the government. Unregistered churches or groups and ministries connected with them are all severely restricted by the government, and in many cases, cruel persecution of leaders follows arrest. Pray for better understanding by the government of these good Christian organizations that have a problem with registration. Pray for God to sustain those who are imprisoned and suffering, and pray that these very circumstances will bring glory to God.

The mailing list of China Clippings continues to increase month by month because many people forward it to interested prayer partners. Simply inform people to send me an e-mail to be added to the list. On the other hand, anyone wishing to be deleted from the mailing, may send me an e-mail requesting to be deleted.