2008 OLYMPIC FEVER GRIPS NATION

 

After a ten-day show in Beijing, 290 selected pieces of Chinese sculpture begin a nationwide tour that will include Hong Kong. Chosen from hundreds of entries, these 290 pieces of sculpture will adorn the 2008 Olympic sites and display the elegant craftsmanship of Chinese artists. Thousands of people have already viewed the works of art as Olympic fever continues to rise throughout the nation. During the last week of September, China will showcase the spectacular preparations to the first world press conference. Not only will the nation proudly show off the impressive national treasures of the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, but also the stunning development of state-of-the-art Olympic game sites, the Media Operations Center and new five-star hotels. This tour is designed to impress the world with China’s spectacular progress as a world class nation.

 

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

 

However, as the world gasps in wonder at the preparations being made, a more sinister aspect of life in China is being played out. Pastor Zhang Rongliang, leader of the Fangcheng Mother House Church with a membership of approximately 10 million people, has been sentenced to 7 ½ more years in prison for his activities as one of the most prominent house church leaders in the country. He was arrested in December 2004, and held without being charged until this spring when he was accused of securing an illegal passport and illegal border crossings. When his home was searched, Bibles, Christian literature, DVDs and pictures showing him with foreign missionary agencies were confiscated and used as evidence of his so-called illegal activities.

 

A lower court ruled that there was insufficient evidence for a conviction, nevertheless the government pressed its case in a higher court determined not to free him. He has been featured in many international magazines such as Newsweek, Charisma and Christianity Today as well as in the book “Jesus In Beijing.” Pastor Zhang has been a wanted man since his release in 1999 from more than 12 years in prison for his faith during which time he suffered extremely harsh treatment including electric shock torture. China Aid Association states that “this is another evidence of the Chinese government tactics against house church leaders who refuse to register their organizations with the Three Self Patriotic Movement.(TSMP). Pastor Zhang has suffered from a severe case of diabetes for several years, and eyewitnesses report that when he was confined in the hospital, he was in handcuffs and chained to the bed.

 

Bob Fu, head of China Aid Association which monitors house church persecutions has urged Christians to appeal to the Chinese government for Pastor Zhang’s release. Send your letter of appeal to the Director of Religious Affairs, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008.

 

STILL ANOTHER SIDE OF THE PUZZLING PICTURE

 

For most registered churches in the country, a great measure of freedom continues to exist and churches report increasing attendance at all services. Amity Press continues to pour out more Bibles each month, church construction is reaching unprecedented proportions, and this year some 3,000 students will be enrolled in Bible Schools and seminaries. Since the house churches greatly outnumber the registered churches, these figures may be only a small portion of what is actually happening. From Hong Kong and other Asian locations, Christian radio is growing at an amazing pace, and millions of people are hearing the Good News proclaimed over the air waves. Alliance Radio in Hong Kong is looking for supporters who will help them reach the 120 million rural workers who have moved to the cities searching for work. Recently staff members toured Shenzhen factories, the large industrial area just across the border from Hong Kong. They found many factory owners providing Bible classes for workers and praying for the conversion of their workers. They discovered also that radio is the tool God is using to reach these workers and so they have developed "The Voice of Rural Workers' Program." Funds are needed to produce these new programs and to provide CDs and radios for workers. If God speaks to you about supporting this outreach, send your gift to The Christian and Missionary Alliance, Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935 designated "Alliance Radio." If you attend an Alliance church, you may give through your local church.

 

CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES

 

Never before in the history of China has the Chinese Church attempted anything like the present preparations to reach the world for Christ. Training Centers inside and outside China are gearing up for an amazing feat—carrying the Gospel back to Jerusalem through all the countries of the 10/40 Window. There are 60 countries in this belt, mostly Muslim with a few Hindu and Buddhist nations, comprising some of the poorest nations in the world and the least evangelized.

 

Special prayer requests come from many sources, and all ask for wisdom from God to fulfill the goal God has given. Pray for these items especially:

 

·        PRAY for 8 graduates of a two year program who will take the bold step and enter ministry in some restricted access country.

·        Pray that their home churches in China will continue to help support them and prepare others to join the great band of servants willing to go in the Name of Jesus.

·        PRAY that the Lord will prepare the way before these young people as they enter dangerous territories and face Satanic opposition that they will be strengthened and prepared by the Lord to stand courageously in all circumstances.

·        PRAY for dozens of new students presently preparing to enter these training centers where they will prepare for a life of privation, suffering and difficulty.

·        PRAY for all the faculty and staff people who live a life of sacrifice, and frequently in dangerous situations, in order to train these students.

·        PRAY for the financial needs of these Training Centers as they are fully trusting God to provide through local Chinese churches, mission organizations and individual donors to carry on this vital ministry.

 

YOUR PART IN THIS GREAT MOVEMENT OF GOD  

 

There are two major areas where you can have a part:

 

·        Pray earnestly for China and the goal of raising up 100,000 missionaries. Nothing is too hard for God for all things are possible with Him. Join a band of prayer partners nationwide. Send an e-mail to prayer@lfdusa.org for monthly prayer requests.

·        Give generously through your local church to your church’s missionary organization and designate your gifts for China and cross-cultural ministries and evangelism.

 

CULTURE SHAPERS OF CHINA

 

Where do you hold a spiritual foundation conference for well-known Chinese movie stars who are believers? At a regular conference, these stars are mobbed by fans and find it impossible to attend. Leadership Development International (LDi) decided to invite these stars to Switzerland. Besides the stars, there was a retired movie director, a famous pianist, a well-known comedian, a book editor, and an American senior executive of a cosmetics company and her husband, also a senior executive of a multinational company. After several days of teaching and testimonies, the movie director prayed to receive Jesus Christ into her life.