|
|
|
|
September 2005 |
|
AN UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS
A grave crisis has erupted in China since mid-August. A harsh repression of the church has placed hundreds of pastors and leaders under arrest. China Watchers are at a loss to explain this unusual action which is affecting the Three Self registered churches as well as the House Churches all across the nation. My most reliable Chinese source of information reported this a few days ago. Since House Church leaders are always under the scrutiny of the government, this is a particularly difficult time. All communication with them and among themselves has been temporarily terminated. Many Conferences long planned and advertised, even by the TSPM (Three Self Patriotic Movement or registered churches) have been postponed. Possibly a power struggle in the upper echelons of government leaders may be the cause.
AN URGENT CALL TO PRAYER
This issue is dedicated to this late-breaking information as it relates to equipping the Chinese Church to send out cross-cultural missionaries through the 10/40 Window. See the archives of CHINA CLIPPINGS on this web site for information on the 10/40 Window.)
THE GROWING ARMY OF CHINESE MISSIONARIES
For decades, Chinese leaders have believed that God was preparing the Chinese Church to become the major missionary force in the 21st century. It is actually happening today! The Chinese Church has ceased to merely talk about this phenomenon and is actually engaged in it.
SEMINARIES AND TRAINING CENTERS
Dozens of seminaries and training centers exist while many hundreds of training centers function among the more than 50,000 House Churches. The whole concept of taking the gospel westward toward Jerusalem is very appealing to the cultural standards of the Chinese people. The gospel first reached them along the Marco Polo Silk Trail. Now they have caught the vision of returning the grace of the gospel to others who are still waiting to hear- all the way back to its place of origin. The fact that the 10/40 Window covers that section of the world where Muslims predominate causes the Chinese to realize that they, more than their western counterparts, are probably best prepared to be the messengers God will use. The western provinces of China have vast Muslim populations of Chinese. Moving farther westward, the lands bordering China, where people have intermarried and have been assimilated with Chinese, provide the Chinese Church with natural opportunities for ministry.
UNDERSTANDING THE “BACK-TO-JERUSALEM” MOVEMENT
For decades, while godly pastors languished in prison, there was born in their hearts the desire to reach out westward in a cross-cultural outreach. This publication will no longer be using the term “Back-to-Jerusalem” because what is happening is far bigger than any one group or organization. Recent reports in CHINA CLIPPINGS in July and August have referred to this mighty movement of God as the Vision of the Chinese Church Missionary Movement.
IMPORTANT FACTS TO REMEMBER
Today, there are godly Chinese leaders who have a burning conviction that the Chinese Church has been anointed by God for a special ministry to the world, and especially in the 10/40 Window.
Secondly, house churches desperately need help to train this army of cross-cultural volunteers who even now have begun to move westward as witnesses for Christ. Some along the China-Korea border have tasted the awful sting of imprisonment and persecution. Training centers are in full-swing in Asia where candidates are in training at this very moment. As reported previously, they are intensively studying Biblical subjects during their first two years while in their third and fourth years they shift into a practical mode and learn a trade and Arabic or languages spoken in the areas where they will locate.
Thirdly, God is raising up outstanding, qualified leadership, dedicated to preparing these future leaders. Centers in Asia are presently engaged in preparing such leadership and need our prayer and financial support.
LEADERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
A Training Center that receives the highest recommendation, and which receives the approval of very dependable and well-known organizations, is Leadership For Development with their central office in Flushing, NY. This group has already established a training center in Asia with 25 students in the four year program. You can have absolute confidence when contributing to this group, and I hope you will. It holds to the highest Biblical and financial standards. It is actively engaged in preparing the highest quality missionary candidates, and it is approved by reliable organizations of our time.
HERE’S HOW TO HELP
Make prayer a priority for this group and the centers they are establishing throughout Asia. Send a contribution to Leadership For Development at Box 541328, Flushing, NY 11354-1328. Equipping one student costs $6,000 a year. Any gift will be appreciated and blessed of God. Coupled with your prayer support, you can have a vital part in training an army of missionary volunteers. You may call the organization’s office at 646-285-7945 or e-mail them at amok@lfdusa.org for more information View their web site and acquaint yourself with this training project.
EXILES OF HOPE AVAILABLE
This incredible story of China’s persecuted church is now available and selling rapidly. You are urged to get your copy and begin to pray for China and its impact on our world. You are encouraged to participate in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 15, 2005. It will help you and your church very much to prepare by reading Red Runs The River and Exiles of Hope that can be order from me. Order single copies at $12.97 plus $3.50 postage OR one of each $24.95 plus only $3.50 postage. Pastor Ralph rated both these books as first rate books and wrote on August 29, 2005, “Great stories for my church. These have been a inspiring books to lead my people in praying more clearly for our brothers and sisters in China who suffer persecution.”
A NEW GOAL FOR ALL MY BOOKS
God has laid on my heart to provide, free of charge, to as many MK Schools as possible, the five books of The Jack and Jenny Mystery Series for children, and the two volumes, Red Runs The River and Exiles of Hope.. For every book sold, $1.00 of royalties (almost 100%) will be set aside for this fund. Black Forest Academy in Germany, the Alliance Academy in Quite, Ecuador and Dakar Academy are the first recipients of these books. As God enables me, I will provide these books to all authorized MK School libraries. You can have a part by ordering books today.
YOUR HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED
In order to get these books before the public, I am asking readers of this newsletter to send me the name and address of Christian bookstores in your area. A promotional packet will be sent to them with information on how to stock the books. Your help will be greatly appreciated as I try to reach all of the MK Schools.
GUIZHOU PROVINCIAL BIBLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMPLETED
A worker reports in a letter just received that the main building of the Guizhou Provincial Bible School was completed on September 1st! The official opening was attended by government and church leaders who made speeches in praise of this accomplishment. The school choir presented Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus in praise to God for the provision of all needs. There are 120 students attending this year’s classes. Of that number, 40 are in short term courses, and most of the students are Miao (Hmong) or Yi minorities. Pray for the financial needs of the students as many cannot afford the tuition. Readers interested in making contributions for this school should contact the editor for a mailing address.
There are thousands of American business people living in China today. A new web site, especially for expatriates, has been started by my dear friends, Paul and Jeannie McKean with Campus Crusade. Jeannie is the daughter of Ed Murray, retired C&MA missionary, who served on the Gansu-Tibetan border. Check it out and send the information to anyone living outside of the USA. It will be a great encouragement to them.
UNUSUAL EVENTS IN HUBEI PROVINCE
Although some house church leaders in Hubei Province in Central China have been detained by the authorities, there are still some unusual things happening there. In a recent communication it was reported that the government has encouraged the building of a central church and training center in Zaoyang County (Northern Hubei). It is expected that by fall, construction will begin on a central church seating 1,100 people that will serve as a training center as well for that area of the province. Hubei is the size of the State of Missouri but populated by 60 million people. Only 60 ordained pastors serve the 200,000 believers of the area along with 1,500 lay pastors who have received short term training. Giving is very important, but never underestimate your role through prayer.
SOMETHING TO THINK AND PRAY ABOUT FROM DR. JEFF LEE
Anthony Bollback |