October 2005
 

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SURPRISED BY GOD?

 

Some astounding things are happening in China these days. Some of the things boggle our minds because only God could make them happen.

 
  • Take for example the fact that there are more evangelical, born again Christians in China than in the United States! Now that surprised even me!  We are accustomed to hearing reports of persecution and arrests of house church leaders, and recently of a businessman beaten so severely by the police that he died. We hear of house churches being shut down and believers forced to hide. But it is estimated that 20,000 people a day are turning to Christ! Amazing! Give God all the glory that the Holy Spirit can never be expelled or driven out or imprisoned.
  • Another example that may surprise you. In a certain community in Central China, government engineers have completed the survey for a road in a remote rural area that leads to a Christian leprosarium. Construction has begun on this road that was paid for by contributions from Christians in the USA! Give God all the glory for changing attitudes that permitted this to happen and which will eventually make the leprosarium more accessible to those needy in body and soul.
  • A couple of years ago, a misguided cult proclaimed that Jesus was returning soon. The leader urged people to sell everything and join him in the mountains to wait for His coming. As local officials dealt with the social problems in the aftermath, they realized that the local Christians were grounded in sound doctrine. Now they are encouraging the building of a central church and training center for the 20,000 believers of their county as that will create stability and peace! Give God all the glory for such an astounding opportunity.

 

THE RESISTANT 10/40 BELT

 

For centuries the 50 countries of the 10/40 Window with a total population of 2.5 billion people has steadfastly resisted the inroads of Christianity. Today there is a glimmer of hope for these multitudes as the Chinese house church believers are convinced that God has prepared them through decades of persecution to infiltrate these lands with the Gospel. Many committed believers have already migrated westward out of China in pursuit of the God-given goal of sending a mighty army of missionaries through these lands to establish a powerful witness for Christ where few missionaries have been able to go. Give God all the glory for preparing the Chinese church through years of suffering and persecution to become evangels of light in these dark lands.

 

A REPORT FROM A MOST RELIABLE SOURCE

 

A well established, reliable and trustworthy group of Chinese workers and coworkers are at this very moment training some of that army of missionaries in Asia.

 

Surprise #1 - The first graduating class will be sent out to the field in the middle of next year for full-time language study and cultural immersion! This vision was born in the hearts of stalwart Chinese pastors over the years as they languished in miserable prisons and in the most disheartening circumstances. Many did not survive the rigors of those years to see this great day, but their prayers and their tears are beginning to bear a great harvest. This graduating class needs your prayers that their call will be affirmed, that they will be able to adapt to a foreign culture and the necessary vocational training that will enable them to survive in this inhospitable climate.

 

Surprise #2 – A second class began their basic theological studies this past June! Called by God to become cross-cultural missionaries and chosen by dedicated Chinese leaders for their faithful testimony and willingness to give their lives for Christ, this second class is hard at work studying the Bible- that powerful sword of the Spirit that unlocks stony hearts and sets people free. Pray that they will be Spirit-taught and Spirit-filled disciples who will challenge the gates of hell.

 

Surprise #3 – It is no surprise that a great host of prayer partners are needed to move this army forward. What is surprising is that I cannot reveal the names of leaders or locations where this training is taking place. That would place the lives of students and teachers in jeopardy, but the fact is students and teachers will not succeed without your prayer support. God surprises us by making us coworkers with Him in this great ministry. The Apostle Paul urged believers in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 to pray for him that the message would spread rapidly and be honored, and that many would be delivered.

 

Here’s a simple thing to do. Become part of a prayer network that will periodically send out prayer requests. In order to protect our workers, I cannot reveal the e-mail address in this newsletter as this is posted on the world-wide web. Therefore, please send me an e-mail with your commitment to pray and I will put you in touch with the source of requests. God will be glorified as we join together and pray.

 

Surprise #4 – God’s work is supported by the generous gifts of His people. Coupled with our prayers, this becomes the means by which God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Your financial support is urgently needed. To prepare one student for a life of sacrifice and even suffering for Christ in this army, it takes US $500 a month per student. Your financial support is urgently needed. If God moves you to get involved, send me an e-mail and I will personally explain how and where to send your gifts. As a lifelong Alliance missionary and pastor, I would do nothing to detract from the Great Commission Fund of The C&MA nor of any other mission group. What I will share with you privately will enhance, not detract from your regular missionary giving. Requests for more information have begun to come in as a result of last month’s newsletter. I’m looking for many more this month. Do it today.

 

A 10/40 WINDOW COUNTRY TO PRAY ABOUT

 

Tajikistan is a Muslim nation bordering west China and is a country sure to be on the heart of the army of Chinese missionaries moving westward. Special prayer should be offered for this country as Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting has begun. The peoples of Tajikistan will be fasting during the daylight hours and they will offer special prayers to Allah to earn his favor and find salvation from their sins. Ask God to reveal Himself in dreams, visions, and powerful displays of His Spirit during this religiously oppressive time. (To understand how God uses visions and dreams in these lands, read Exiles of Hope.) Pray for the believers in the country as they engage in spiritual warfare during these 30 days. Pray that the walls of deception and false religion will be swept aside through the prayers of God’s people.

 

A BOOK CHILDREN CAN’T PUT DOWN

 

HIJACKED is Book #6 in The Jack and Jenny Mystery Series that has just been released. It is just in time for your Christmas shopping for your children and grand children. Listening to Hal Lindsey last Sunday night, I was more convinced than ever that Christian parents and grand parents MUST provide sound, Christian books for their children. Secular schools and book stores are overflowing with books that will lead your children astray and away from God. This series of books has been hailed as a real answer to the secular humanism being spawned everywhere. It is time for Christian parents to rise up and take steps to make sure their children are exposed to books with a spiritual message but couched in very exciting plots that hold children’s attention to the last page.

 

Hijacked is only available from me at the moment for $5.00 plus $2.50 postage and handling for 120 pages of excitement that will open numerous spiritual discussions. At present, only five books in the series are available since Book 2 has been sold out. Here's a special offer. Purchase all five for $25.00 postage paid. I urge every parent and every church to put these books in the hands of impressionable children who will hear God speak to them in these stories.

 

THE MK SCHOOL LIBRARY FUND

 

At the beginning of August, God laid on my heart to set aside $1.00 for every book sold to provide a set of these books to as many MK School Libraries as possible. Books are already on the way to schools in Malaysia, Senegal, Germany and Ecuador. Inquiries have gone out to other schools including one in Afghanistan. Pray that the books arrive safely and young lives are touched by God to surrender themselves to His control.

 

UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR PRAYER IN CHINA

 

Red Runs the River and Exiles of Hope will give you an unusually clear picture of the cost of being a believer in China even today. These books will sharpen your prayer focus for China as well as prepare you for the growing persecution being experienced in America. These are more than historical novels. These books tell a story every believer should read and share with others. It will happen in America some day- perhaps sooner than we think. Available from me at $12.97 plus $3.50 postage each when ordered separately OR $28.50 for two including reduced postage.   

 

PLEASE READ MY WEB SITE

 

The web site is constantly changing with new articles being added regularly. Read WINDOW ON CHINA for special insights on the awakening of this giant that figures so prominently in Biblical prophecy.

 

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS NEWSLETTER

 

Every month new names are being added because people are sharing these newsletters with praying friends. Send me e-mail addresses of interested friends or forward this report to them with the invitation to sign on.

 

These letters are for people interested in the amazing things God is doing in China and Asia. Anyone wishing to be deleted from the list may simply send an e-mail to that effect. 

 

Anthony Bollback