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July 2005 |
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THE ENEMY NEVER RESTS
With the arrival of July, summer vacations are in full swing despite the high cost of gasoline. That reminds me that the enemy of the Church never takes a vacation. Satan is always on hand to oppose, disrupt, cause havoc and, whenever possible, cause God’s people to fall into a state of despair and discouragement. If you are experiencing any of these tricks, resort immediately to the Word of God. 1 John 4:4 says, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” That’s God’s promise. Stand upon it and claim the victory. CHINA CLIPPINGS readers will rejoice that our Chinese brothers and sisters are doing just that in spite of the multitude of difficulties they face every day. As a result, there is some exciting news to report this month of victory in spite of circumstances.
THE ADVANCING ARMY
The Chinese Church has a vision of sending out a great army of missionary messengers westward through the 10/40 window. This vision has been burning in the hearts of many leaders for decades, but due to the Communist takeover in 1949, it was temporarily set aside. Today, the flame has once again been ignited in the church that is experiencing the greatest movement of the Holy Spirit in its history.
China Clippings is going to provide updates each month on this “Advancing Army” through a very reliable source that will provide dependable information readers can pray about. There are some amazing things happening today in this mysterious land with one fourth of the world’s population. For one thing, God is at work in a tremendous way. Reports of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are regularly reported in these pages, which challenge us to seek the Holy Spirit’s power for our own lives and churches.
But while there is blessing in so many places, there is also continued harassment and persecution in other places. House church leaders are continuing to suffer the brunt of this persecution, with many arrested in June alone. It may be difficult to understand how there can be such great freedom in the registered or open churches while at the same time there is such severe persecution in the house churches. The answer is simple. The house churches generally refuse to register and come under the authority of the Religious Affairs Bureau of the government fearing that they would compromise their faith and be subject to government control.
To complicate matters even more, it is reliably reported that Beijing (the capitol of China) is planning to build several exceptionally large churches in time for the 2008 Olympics to be held in China. Undoubtedly these will be shown off with great pride to indicate the extent of the freedom enjoyed by the registered church. At the same time that these plans are underway, severe crackdowns are taking place in many areas of the country and leaders are being imprisoned and some sentenced to long prison terms for “reeducation” simply because they feel they cannot, in good conscience, be registered.
Another amazing thing is taking place in the midst of this paradox. The house churches in particular, are relentlessly pushing forward with their plans to reach out through the 10/40 window with a great army of messengers who will migrate through these lands planting churches as they go. In many cases, these immigrants will never return to China. As they move westward, heading toward Jerusalem, they will establish house churches after the pattern that has proven so successful in China. Someone likened this great army of witnesses to termites who will silently and without fanfare, infiltrate the countries of this greatly neglected region. The Chinese house churches have had decades of experience in planting these “hidden” churches until suddenly a full grown church emerges.
In 1949 there were less than one million believers in China- an insignificant number in the eyes of the Communist government that supposed it could easily wipe out every vestige of Christianity from the land. Then suddenly in the 80’s when the door to China reluctantly creaked open, an amazing thing was discovered. To the consternation of the government, there were no longer one million believers, but an estimated 80 million! Through the darkest days of the Communist revolution, the church had not only survived, it had blossomed into a mighty, vibrant army of believers that will set the spiritual pace for years to come. It is out of this vast number of believers that the Chinese church envisions a great missionary army to emerge. In the next decade, Chinese Christians will intentionally move out of China, as witnesses, much like the Book of Acts, and they will go everywhere preaching the gospel.
From month to month, you will be hearing right here about the preparation of these messengers, and you will be invited to share in prayer and support for them. This will undoubtedly be the greatest training period for Chinese messengers in the history of the church in China. It has already begun, both in China and outside of China. Expect to witness some amazing things happening as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers His beloved flock in China.
JUNE ARRESTS INSIDE CHINA
According to the latest reports from Voice of the Martyrs and Bob Fu of China Aid Association, approximately 100 pastors were arrested on June 24 at the home of Pastor Chen Dongming in Hezhai Village in Henan Province, where they were meeting for leadership training. It was reported that more than fifty security officers surrounded the village before bursting into the building. Personal property, including cash, books, blankets, rice and household effects were confiscated. All those arrested were released by the end of the day except for nine leaders including Pastor Chen. They are still in jail.
THIRTY-FOUR MISSIONARIES WITH PAKISTANI PASSPORTS ARRESTED
The same report cites the arrest of 34 Christians at a customs office in Kashi in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on June 3rd. All held Pakistani passports and visas and were arrested when one revealed that they were Christian missionaries. After being held for fifteen days, they were warned and released. They are now in hiding, fearing further repercussions from the authorities. Read the article about persecution with addresses of Chinese embassies in the USA. Write a letter requesting the release of the many religious detainees in China’s labor camps.
GANSU, INC REPORT #2, June 19-26
Not all the news is depressing. GANSU, INC is made up of a group of doctors, nurses and other technicians who devote a week or two during the summer to working in Gansu Province bringing physical help to hundreds suffering with various eye diseases. The latest report gives a brief profile of Team #2 that reveals the interesting makeup of the team. The Team leader, Dr. Enoch Tsai, was born in China and trained in the USA at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He has been on the Board of Directors for Gansu, Inc for the past three years. Hildegard Moir was born in Germany and served with her father in Brazil for almost 30 years. This is her first trip to China where her parents once served. Chi Ching Chen was born in China and educated in the USA in structural engineering. He and his wife, Juliet, have served as translators for the Team since 2000. Donna Carmen is the only US born team member. She was born in Minnesota where she also trained as a nurse. Michelle Ring was born in India of missionary parents. He and his wife have served at the Kodaikanal International School in India. This is his first trip to China. Each Team is made up of highly committed professional people who give their time to relieve the pain and suffering of Chinese people along the Gansu/Tibetan border. Pray for all the Team members as they serve this summer.
NEWS FROM CALVIN LAI IN GERMANY
Calvin and Pearl Lai are planting a Chinese church in Berlin. They report that many contacts have been made with students who have begun attending church. Last week, a brother and sister prayed to receive Christ. Pastor Lai reports that last Sunday they tried using a German interpreter for the purpose of attracting Chinese students who want to improve their German language skills. They also want to reach the spouses of some of the students. The initial reaction was very positive. PRAY for this new outreach.
A MESSENGER VISITS MINORITY PEOPLE IN CHINA
Did you know that there are over one million people in 56 official nationalities in China divided into over 450 distinct minorities? They comprise about 6% of China’s 1,150,000,000 people. An American messenger has been visiting several different communities of minority people known as the Miao or in some other countries as Hmong. He was able to meet with the Miao seminary students in Sichuan Province and attend the annual Miao festival in northwest Guizhou Province. While there, he delivered scholarship funds to these needy students. He also visited the large population of minority people in Yunnan Province. In July and August, he will attend the 100th anniversary celebration of the Miao Church and the dedication of the Guizhou Bible School where there are more than 80 minority students, mostly of Miao background. God is moving among these minorities, many of which do not have a single convert. PRAY for God’s protection on this worker and these ministries.
TAIWAN WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT
A report from Elder Chuang in Taiwan who heads up the EE ministry there to regional director Buddy Gaines, an OMS missionary working with EE International, states that the 73rd EE Clinic in Taiwan was held in May that included several church leaders. During three nights of witnessing, 22 people heard the gospel presentation and 15 of them prayed to receive Christ. The 4th Kids EE Clinic was conducted in Kaohsiung just a few days ago. The Kids Clinics are becoming very popular and enabling children to lead their friends to Christ. PRAY for strength, wisdom and funds for all of these ministries.
EXILES OF HOPE TO BE RELEASED THIS MONTH
After several unforeseen delays, EXILES OF HOPE- The Story of China's Persecuted Church, VOL. 2 ,will be released this month! This is a continuation of the authentic and moving story of Anching and Meiling, two committed Chinese young people who stand true for Jesus Christ in the midst of the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution of the 50’s and 60’s. Separated for 24 years by civil war, they determine to find each other again. Read this account and weep for the persecuted church, but rejoice also that millions of Chinese would rather die than give up their faith in Jesus. Many, many people have been asking if these two finally find each other again. You'll be surprised and shocked by this story that many people are saying is a page-turner for sure. The only thing I can suggest is that you order your copy now. It will be mailed to you as soon as it is released. Here’s a special offer that puts the book within everyone’s grasp.
Order one book at $12.97 plus $3.50 postage and handling for a total of $16.47 Order both volumes at $12.97 each plus $3.50 p&h – a total of $29.44- a saving of $3.50 off two single copies. Order 5 copies to the same address of either book at $65.00 postage paid- a savings of $17.35 off a single copy Order 10 copies in any combination to the same address for $120.00 postage paid- a savings of $44.70 off a single copy..
My goal is to make these books available to every family and church for life-changing results. Order yours today. Send order and check to address below.
Anthony Bollback |