January 2006
 
WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY
 
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. A new year is always exciting because it gives everyone a new opportunity to start with a clean page. Unfortunately, many of our pages in 2005 were splattered and smudged with the ink spots of sin. Thank God, He cleanses all confessed sin and failures, and enables us by His Holy Spirit, to live above and beyond victoriously. Another exciting thought is that 2006 opens the door for all of us who have a heart for China and one fourth of the world's population to do something through prayer that will amaze everyone.  
 
NEW HOME PAGE FOR WEB SITE
 
Something very special has enlarged the ministry of my web site. My son, Rev. Jonathan Bollback, senior pastor at Community Alliance Church in Winter Springs, Florida, has developed a brand new home page with a new URL: http://www.ChurchInChina.info/  It has links to CHINA CLIPPINGS, WINDOW ON CHINA, current Chinese news from newspapers around the world, and a wealth of new material that will open up many new avenues for prayer. Be sure to take a look as soon as possible and enjoy and use the many pages available. And, when you do, please sign my guest book. It will be encouraging to us to know you are reading the site and making use of it to touch China through prayer.
 
A PEOPLE GROUP IN CHINA THAT NEED OUR PRAYERS
 
There are many ethnic people groups in China and many have had little contact with Christianity. One of the groups is the 8 million plus Hui people who live primarily in the western provinces of Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai,Yunan and Xinjiang. They are Sunni Muslims by faith ranging from moderate to nominal in practice with a very strong sense of religious identity. A popular saying among them is "to be Hui is to be a Muslim." Our prayer concern is that of the 8 million Hui all across China only 100 plus are known to be believers. There are only three known fellowships that meet with 2-3 members each. Earnest prayer is urged for this group of people and for some "workers" who live among them. Pray that they will be effective witnesses for Christ and that the small groups will begin to grow.
 
A CHALLENGE FROM AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, INC
 
Dr. David Liang, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ambassadors For Christ, Inc writes in their November newsletter about ministry to Chinese in Europe, "Multitudes of Mainland Chinese (MC) fill the local markets. Ninety percent took our literature. For them, it was the first time ever that they had heard about the love of Christ! Attendance swelled at our evening evangelistic meetings. In city after city, we saw almost entire congregations responding to the call for salvation and dedication. You see, God has worked a great miracle in the hearts of Chinese people. They are hungry- even starving - to hear and embrace the Lord and His truth. More amazing is the fact that 1.95 million Chinese tourists vacationed in Europe last year! Unfortunately, the European churches are in a very sad state of decline leaving this vast number of Chinese without adequate witness. Pray that the approximate 220,000 pieces of literature that has been distributed will open up hundreds of lives.
 
A PROMINENT 10/40 COUNTRY DOES LITTLE TO HELP CHRISTIANS
 
One of the 60 countries that lie within the 10/40 Window is Pakistan where extreme militants call for the elimination of Christians and the public hanging of one accused of blasphemy. According to a news release from human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), about 3.000 Muslims gathered for Friday prayers at the Jamia Mosque in Sangria Hill on December 2nd. It was at that location three weeks earlier that three churches, a school, a convent and Christian homes were attacked in one of the worst outbreaks of anti-christian violence since 2002. CSW reported that Islamic leaders using loudspeakers urged Muslims to rise up and eliminate Christians. They also passed a resolution demanding that Yousaf Masih, a Christian accused of desecrating the Koran, be publicly hanged. It is reliably reported that this elderly man is completely innocent of all such charges. CSW further accused the government of doing nothing to defuse the situation. Chinese cross-cultural workers will attempt to establish churches in this country some day but they will face grave situations because of the growing intensity of the opposition. Pray for open doors for cross-cultural workers.
 
BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER WITH LFD
 
Prayer is the key that unlocks closed doors in all lands. This will be especially true as cross-cultural Chinese workers move westward to complete the task of evangelization. For those burdened for this to happen, please ask for prayer requests from LFD by e-mailing them at prayer@lfdusa.org / Those whose hearts are moved by God to contribute to this training ministry of hundreds of workers, please send your contributions directly to LFD, Box 541328, New York, NY 11354. This is a very reliable and trustworthy group that has my fullest support and contributions. Because of the sensitive nature of this ministry, I cannot give more details here, but anyone interested in becoming part of this westward movement, please write to me for private information. I encourage all churches to write for this information as soon as possible. This is no longer a dream. It is actually taking place now and you can have a part in it.
 
MY MK SCHOOL LIBRARY FUND
 
God continues to open new doors for my books to be distributed to MK School libraries around the world. Thanks to everyone who purchased a book in 2005. For each one purchased, $1.00 was set aside in the Fund. Just a few days ago, a full set of 7 books was sent to an International School in Hanoi, Vietnam where there are many international students attending three different schools. Praise the Lord that these books are going to distant lands, and even to limited access countries, where many young lives will be touched for God. You can be a vital part in this outreach by purchasing any of the books from me or by making a contribution to the fund. All books may be viewed on my web site www.bollback.com
 
A TRAGIC SETBACK FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION
 
From Open Doors, Inc. comes the report that on December 16, a mob of 30 men armed with steel bars, sticks and bricks attacked a group of Catholics who had locked themselves into a building they claimed belonged to them. They are pressuring the government to return the property to them. The news report by Reuters claimed that the police detained the priests but not the attackers, and that they denied the severely beaten priests medical attention. On November 23 in the city of Xi'an, a group of 40 people, also armed, attacked a group of 200 nuns who were peacefully protesting the illegal demolition of their diocesan school. Church properties in many cities are prime sites that attract the attention of officials and development companies. This is an urgent matter of prayer since many new churches are being built and could be subject to the same conditions as these two locations.
 
NOT EVERYTHING IS BLEAK AND FOREBODING
 
From a good friend involved in Evangelism Explosion ministry among Chinese in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan comes the report that in 2005, four EE clinics (training centers) were held in Hong Kong and 1049 people were equipped to share their faith. Leaders came from 147 local churches. Thank God that this effective ministry continues not only in Hong Kong, but in many places in China and Taiwan. Pray that these trained workers will continue to make an impact on thousands of lives this year.
 
FROM MARTHA CHEN, PRESIDENT OF ERRC COMES A GREAT CHALLENGE   
 
Martha Chen writes in the December issue of CURRENT, the ERRC newsletter, "As China is changing rapidly, the opportunities for Christians to be involved in China has grown in variety. In a recent conference in Southern California, we discovered different types of ministries which work in China: community development, response to AIDS/HIV, helping at-risk children, family counseling, minority ministries, sports ministries, orphanages, leadership training in churches, media, publications and medical work to name a few." It is encouraging to read the publication and see dozens of young, joyful, excited faces of young people who are working in China on various projects acceptable to the Chinese government. Some work openings at present needing to be filled are: Tianjin with three openings for English teachers of graduate and undergraduate students; Beijing with four openings for business and computer teachers; Jinan with two openings for English teachers of graduate students, a business and an art teacher; Taian with four openings for teachers to work with graduate students. Anyone interested and qualified may contact ERRC@aol.com or call 1-800-377-2446.
 
PLEASE PASS THIS REPORT ON
 
There never has been a time in China's long history when so much was happening in the country- both good and bad. Please pass these reports on to at least one person who will praise God for the good things occurring and who will pray for the bad things to change.
 
If you haven't read RED RUNS THE RIVER and EXILES OF HOPE yet, order your copy today. These books will change your life. Make sure there is a copy in your church library. Homeschooling families are strongly recommending these books to all parents. Please forward this report to them.
 
 
Yours Because Jesus Is Lord,

Anthony Bollback