THE GOSPEL ADVANCES UNDER PRESSURE       

 

Unprecedented opportunities continue to open up in China as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ reach out to neighbors and friends as well as unreached areas of the country. A reliable report from Mongolia indicates that a team of believers braved strong winds and snow to share the gospel in a remote mountainous area of the country. Traveling over 3,000 miles by car, they witnessed many people coming to Christ. On one occasion when they had battery trouble, three men prayed to receive Christ before the trouble was fixed- a divine appointment for those three men! In another village, a family of four prayed, and in another an elderly couple were baptized. In still another village, eight teenage boys were baptized. Lift up these young believers in prayer and pray for the gospel to keep on spreading throughout the country.

 

NEW WORKERS FOR MONGOLIA

 

New workers continue to make their way to Mongolia where they will be engaged in various kinds of work to help the people and the country. Some will be engaged in relief work while others will concentrate on education as their tentmaking projects. In order to protect their identities and their work, no names will be issued here, but they need your support in prayer as they work in difficult areas of the country under sometimes hostile government restrictions. Anyone interested in further information may request it by e-mail.

 

EE IN CHINA FACING UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

 

Evangelism Explosion has been at work in all parts of China for a number of years. They have successfully translated materials for use by the believers and outstanding results have been experienced. As can be expected, opposition has arisen, but from a very unexpected source- a group within the church! Some disgruntled people have reported leaders of Clinics to government authorities who then have raided the premises of some church groups and confiscated their teaching materials and equipment. This has caused a great breach to develop between the two factions. Pray for EE leadership in China during October as they attempt to bring unity back to the ministry. In spite of the difficulties, Clinics (training sessions) continue with outstanding results. Hundreds of people are praying to receive Jesus Christ into their lives in many parts of the country. One Chinese leader, not associated with EE, told me personally that everywhere he went on a recent trip, no Chinese refused to accept Christ. There is a spiritual hunger unprecedented in the history of China. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fan the flame into a roaring blaze that will bring glory to God. In Hong Kong, EE will celebrate its 25th anniversary on November 23rd while in Korea they will celebrate their 20th anniversary on November 24th.

 

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE AMAZING LAND OF CHINA

 

Internet users have increased by 15% during the past six months to 68 million people! Interestingly, 40% of the users fall within the age bracket of 18-24 indicating an explosion of interest in contacting the outside world by China's young people. Web surfers spend an average of 13 hours a week on line, but unfortunately, 10 of those hours are spent in playing games. Pray that these millions will come across Christian web sites and discover the truth of God's Word. Here is a challenge to reach a vast number of people who will influence China for decades to come.

 

By the year 2010, the Chinese government estimates that 40% of the population will own a mobile phone! China is leaping into the 21st century with all of its blessings and woes. In Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen near Hong Kong, ownership has already reached nearly 80%. Mobile phones are connecting the entire country, opening unlimited possibilities for believers and churches to spread the gospel as they stay in touch with one another. Pray for this explosion of technology to be used of God in bringing many to Christ.

 

Government sources say that China is becoming more superstitious again. Some 40% of the people believe in fortune tellers which is legal in the country. People are seeking spiritual guidance as well as advice about marriage, business and other personal matters from this source. It is symptomatic of the spiritual thirst of the people. Pray that the church inside China as well as outside can fill this vacuum and meet the needs of the people.

 

China reports that the 6th China Special Olympic Games took place in Nanjing. According to government statistics, there are an estimated 60 million handicapped people in the country including blind, deaf, and mentally retarded individuals. Pray that appropriate ministries will target these people with the Good News that Jesus cares.   

 

Before the middle of October, China is expected to be the third country with a man in space!  The launch date is set for one week from now. As the country prepares for the 2008 Olympics and these outstanding technological advances, the country is riding on a high wave of optimism. However, the country is also facing some very severe financial problems as it thrusts itself forward with reform. Pray for the leadership and President Hu Jintao that the impact of Christianity in the country will touch their lives and policies.

 

PERSECUTION PREVAILS IN MANY PLACES

 

In Henan Province, three more people were arrested for their connections with the unregistered church as persecution of this huge group of believers continues unabated. One of the men who spent three years in a "reeducation through labor camp" from 1994-97, has been arrested again and charged with providing "spiritual aid" to an independent labor group. He is connected with the group of believers associated with Pastor Gong Shengliang who is imprisoned in the Hong Sang Prison in Wuchang, Hubei Province. Prayer has been requested for this pastor and many have written to the Chinese Embassy asking for his release. The wife of the church leader mentioned above was a theological teacher at Beijing Theological Seminary. When it was discovered that they were associated with the unregistered church, she was dismissed from the faculty. No word has been received as to the place of detention for these believers. Pray that they will be strong under pressure and bring glory to God. Believers in prison are always asking for prayers that they will bring glory to God and use their imprisonment to win others to Christ.

 

You are urged to write to the Chinese government and request release of these prisoners who are imprisoned for their faith.  Address your letter to Ambassador Yang Jiechi, Embassy of the People's Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008.  You are also urged to use their e-mail address: Chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn   Hundreds of e-mails would have a great impact on China. Don't let another day pass without a letter or e-mail.

 

BACK TO JERUSALEM

 

Take note! There is a very strong grass root movement among house church leaders in China to train 100,000 Chinese missionaries to take the gospel back along the ancient Silk Road to Jerusalem. The gospel reached China in the early centuries from Jerusalem, and now our Chinese brethren have caught the vision of planting churches from China to Jerusalem. It will not be easy since this passes through the 10/40 window and the largest stronghold of Buddhism and Islam. Young people are being trained to live their lives in these lands and if necessary to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel. This is not a quick trip to Jerusalem as some have supposed, but a purposeful planting of churches in the heart of the most neglected region of the world. Conferences are being held in many parts of the world now to solicit prayer and financial support for this ambitious project. Your part for the present should be to surround this project with your prayers for strength and courage to accomplish this mighty task.    

 

NEW BOOK OFFER FOR CHRISTMAS

 

Through a special arrangement with the publisher of my children's books, The Jack and Jenny Mysteries, they are now available at a price that is 33% less than normal. They are now available at $5.00 per book plus postage. These books already have a very wide circulation but there is a great possibility that they will be repackaged especially for Christian schools where the demand is growing. This special offer will only last until this present edition is exhausted and the way cleared for the reprints. With Christmas coming, here is an excellent gift for your children, grandchildren or your church library. Postage and handling rates are: 1-2 books - $2.50; 3-5 books - $3.00; 6 -10 books - $4.00. These books were especially written for children 9-14 and are packed with excitement and good Christian instruction in an exciting Hong Kong atmosphere. Place your order as soon as possible by sending your check for the full amount including postage. Mail to 1622 Calvin Circle, Kissimmee, FL 34746.

 

ADD OR DELETE TO MAILING LIST

 

CHINA CLIPPINGS goes to a very wide audience usually by request only. Pass this report along to people interested in China and the persecuted church. My pledge is to remove anyone from the mailing list who wishes to be deleted. 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.

 

Anthony Bollback, Editor