LET THE WHOLE EARTH BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY OF GOD

A staff member of Trans World Radio (TWR) in Hong Kong reports that he sat spellbound as he listened to church leaders from China making bold preparations for the Olympics 2008 to be held in Beijing. He writes: "After attending the meetings I came to the conclusion that the world will soon receive the benefits of years of sowing and training in the Gospel to China. He further reports a statement of the Chinese Christian leadership for the Olympics 2008. "We firmly believe in the vision of going "Back To Jerusalem," but we have something even more important to get ready for- the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Who would have thought that God had opened the door for the Gospel here? It is right at our doorstep- Beijing and Shanghai. It is our opportunity to show and assist the overseas churches and workers in bringing the Gospel to all the visitors who will come. This task is entirely too large for us. We will all need to work together. We already started 16 months ago!" PRAY that these two events, though years away yet, will be used of God to touch thousands of lives. Pray that Satan will not be able to disrupt the vision and passion of the Chinese church at this time.

BE AWARE THAT PERSECUTION HAS NOT CEASED

This same person continues to report. "I also sat with official church leaders from different provinces who poured out their hearts with many tears because the Public Security Bureau, the police, decided to blast out a local church building in a certain location. Incongruent policies, personalities and situations continue to exist in many parts of China." PRAY that the believers will be strengthened in their faith and given boldness in spite of persecution to continue making Christ known with many miracles, signs and wonders. Voice of the Martyrs magazine, January 2004 estimates that 1200 Chinese come to Christ every hour! PRAY that the blood of the martyrs will be the seed of the church.

STOP THE PRESS! Just received today (2/13/04) is the report that Deborah Xu, a leading house church female worker, was awaken from sleep and arrested in Nanyang, Henan Province on January 25 and has not been heard from since. PRAYER has been requested for her to be strengthened by the Lord in this time of need, and during her trial be able to give good testimony for the Lord.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS          

VOM states that because of China's "strike hard" policy against the unregistered churches, more Christians are in prison than in any other country of the world. One group under heavy attack is the South China Church. Its founder, Gong Shengliang, was sentenced to death, but that was later changed to life in prison. Since 2000, more than 500 of their top leaders have been arrested. Many have been released but the crack down continues, and so does the growth of this body of believers. PRAY that Pastor Gong will be kept by the power of God while in prison and that he will be used to lead many to Christ. His first request is not for release but for power to endure for the glory of God.

ALLIANCE RADIO FACES MANY DIFFICULTIES

From the December issue of Alliance Radio we have the following. "China continues to have a great need for people to hear the truth about Jesus Christ. There are so many who are unable to worship God because they have never had the opportunity to hear the gospel. Alliance Radio is one vehicle  through which the truth of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed in China. PRAY that replacements will be found for two seniors who retired from this ministry. PRAY that the urgent need for funds will be met as there was a large deficit at the end of 2003. PRAISE God that seven old secondhand computers were replaced with new ones and the work moves forward better than ever.  

PRAISE GOD, 'RED RUNS THE RIVER" WENT TO PRESS THIS WEEK 

For almost two years I have been working on the writing of this book that tells the tragic but triumphant story of China's persecuted church in a dramatic and unforgettable way. This week it went to press and should be available in about one month. PRAY that this story of committed Chinese believers who endure unbelievable persecution for Christ will stir churches and people in the western world to seek revival for their churches as well as raising up an army of prayer partners to pray for China. 

PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER

Until March 15th, RED RUNS THE RIVER is being offered at a pre-publication price of $13.50 plus $2.50 postage or a total of $16.00. This is a 240 page book that will normally retail at $17.00 plus in bookstores and Amazon.com. Order your copy today by just sending me a check with your name and address clearly printed and you will receive your book in about 5-6 weeks or as soon as they are available to me. Look in on the newly designed web site created by my son, Jonathan, for a full review of this book.  http://www.bollback.com  

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TRIP

On February 9th, my wife Evelyn and I returned from two weeks in the Dominican Republic where I was the speaker for The Christian and Missionary Alliance Field Forum of Alliance missionaries. God did a wonderful work in all of our hearts and gave new strength for great challenges for enlarged church planting ministries. 

MAKE A HABIT OF FORWARDING CHINA CLIPPINGS 

After last month's issue went out, more people requested to be added to the mailing list. The mailing list continues to grow and that means more and more people will be praying for China, the world's most populous nation. Simply inform people to send me an e-mail with a request to be added to the list. On the other hand, anyone wishing to be deleted from the mailing for any reason, may also send me an e-mail requesting to be deleted.

Anthony Bollback, Editor