AG Bollback Ministries

AMAZING SPIRITUAL INTEREST AMONG CHINESE STUDENTS IN THE USA

In The Panda Bear, the publication of China Outreach Ministries, exciting reports come from the University of California, Berkeley of an amazing amount of interest in spiritual things among Chinese students recently arriving from China. Unusually large numbers are attending three weekly English classes, two Bible studies and also requesting personal appointments. Scholars attending the Saturday night fellowship have also increased dramatically. One of the scholars, though not a believer yet, believes that China will become a heavily Christian society in the near future. This view is held by many Chinese leaders as churches continue to mushroom throughout the country. At the University of Georgia, another large group meets regularly to listen to very clear presentations of the gospel. In small groups, they ask many questions about Christianity and many are turning to Christ.

NEW YEAR'S JOY AND EVANGELISM

A report from someone living in China states that churches had unusual opportunities to present Christ at the New Year's celebrations they held, Many lives were touched by God. In one house church of approximately 30 members, each one was encouraged to bring 3-4 people with them to the special celebration services. More than 100 people crowded into the small room and were packed in like sardines in a can. Most of them had little or no understanding of Christianity. At another location, 300 people responded by repenting of their sin. This was repeated all over the country, and though threat of persecution persists in many places, there is a growing hunger to know God. Recently, I was enthralled as I watched a presentation of the growth and blessing in the open or registered churches. Buildings are always jammed full and often several services are held on Sundays. Loud speakers and closed TV permit hundreds more who are unable to crowd into the buildings to stand outside and participate in the services.

Pray that the spiritual hunger of the people will be met by the preaching of the gospel.
Pray that God will raise up more trained workers to shepherd these young believers.
Pray that the false teaching of the cults will not be able to turn young believers away.
Pray that more Bibles will be made available to ground the people in the truth.

WESTWARD TOWARD JERUSALEM

From several different and very reliable sources comes the report that tentmakers are moving westward toward Jerusalem fulfilling a decades-long vision of giving a witness to the countries of the 10/40 Window.

Pray that they will be given wisdom as they penetrate limited access lands.
Pray that they will be strong in the Lord and firmly rooted in His Word.
Pray that they will be clad in the full armor of God.
Pray that as they migrate westward many points of light will be established.
Pray that their lives will be their best witness of God's saving power in the darkness where they will attempt to establish themselves.

There are several things you can do:

Begin with prayer. We tear down strongholds in the all-powerful Name of Jesus.
Enlist other prayer partners to join you in intercession for these workers.
Pray for the tentmakers as they study the language of the country and get established.
Write to Kahu@juno.com for information on how you can be involved through your contributions that will help to train more workers for this Great Commission task.

The Chinese Church believes that God is raising them up to reach millions of unreached peoples in the 10/40 Window. For more information and a map of the nations within that area, see the web site www.ChurchInChina.info and click on the icon "10/40 Window" on the right.

A COMPELLING BOOK ON ISLAM

Since the 10/40 Window is made up mostly of Muslim countries, and cross-cultural workers are already moving into these lands, Ralph Stice's compelling book on Islam called "From 9/11 to 666" is important reading to understand the problem these workers will face. Ralph is primary professor at the Nyack College, DC campus, and former missionary to Africa and France where he worked extensively with Muslims. His book will provide new insights into the growing problem of radical Islam and how he sees the End Times in light of Scripture and the goals of Islam. Be prepared for a different view of the End Times and the Antichrist, but listen to his logical conclusions of Islam in light of today's world situation. Check out his web site www.from9/11to666.com for further information.

A 10/40 COUNTRY NEEDS URGENT PRAYER

There is a movement of God in India today where another fourth of the world's population live, but with it has come very severe Hindu opposition. A large festival drew about 500,000 Hindus with the hope that they would be able to force tribal believers back to Hinduism. The leaders of these groups are calling for the annihilation of Christianity in the country. Some of the incidents have been extremely violent and many believers have suffered immense pain and even death. This is one of the countries where cross-cultural missionaries may migrate to in the near future. Pray for the protection of God's servants and boldness in the face of strong opposition.

A DILEMMA FOR CHINA

At present, China has 111 million Internet users. By the end of 2005, there was an increase of 17 million users according to an estimate by the China Internet Network Information Center. In January 2006, a new Internet tool was launched in China to tighten regulations on "sensitive" Internet content. This will further threaten the ability of Chinese Internet users to access information. Even as this is being written, Google and Yahoo are struggling with the issue of the Chinese government demanding that they block information critical of the government, religious news and the subject of persecution in the country. In Shenzhen, a huge metropolis on the other side of the Hong Kong/China border, virtual police officers have been assigned to patrol cyber space. Two images pop up on computer screens to remind the people they are being watched. Jingling is the male police officer and Chacha is the female officer. The China Daily reports that the two pop-up cyber police officers will appear on user's computers whenever they log on to forbidden web sites or chat rooms. These cyber police pop-up to "remind the people to be conscious of safe and healthy use of the Internet and to self-regulate their behavior." Unfortunately, the real purpose is to regulate people's lives and to prevent access to information critical of the government.

PERSECUTION IS STILL COMMONPLACE IN SOME AREAS

Pastor Ping, just released from a hard labor prison, wrote the following account to China Aid about his imprisonment for his faith. "In August 2004, I was sent to prison for hard labor and testing. During a 40 day period, I suffered whole nights of interrogation. Their purpose was to break my spirit and to extort a confession under torture. But even in times of comas, I always saw the cross before me and heard the Lord's voice saying, "Forgive your enemies because they don't know what they are doing' They took away my clothes, dragged me by the hair, struck my chest, injured my legs and deafened my ears. But in every interrogation the devil was defeated and they did not get a confession. Every time, in the midst of great pain I cried out, "O Lord! I implore you not to leave me. My Savior, I implore you to come and save me. Rescue my spirit from the sword. Save me from the mouth of the lion! And God heard my voice!"

On Christmas Day, 13 pastors and workers were sentenced to long prison terms for possessing and distributing Bibles not authorized by Amity Press, the government authorized printing press The pastor received a life sentence while the others ranged from 15 years to 2 years. During their mock trial, they had no lawyers and were not permitted to speak in their own defense. From the beginning, the sentence had already been determined.

Pray for these men and their families who are now ostracized from society.
Pray that the court will reconsider the injustices meted out to these men, and set them free.
Pray that they will endure with courage and fortitude all the trials that have come upon them and be good witnesses for Jesus right where they are.

Another couple, Pastor Cai and his wife, were sentenced to three and two year prison terms respectively. Their crime? Printing and distributing Christian literature that is forbidden except through Amity Press, the official printing press for China. In 25 years they have printed more than 30 million Bibles, and we are grateful for that, but that is only a drop in the bucket for a Christian population of over 100 million believers.

Praise the Lord that Asia Harvest reported in their Annual Report for 2005 that almost 700,000 Bibles for house churches have been printed since the year 2000. Assistance was also given through their China Living Martyrs Fund to more than 1,000 pastors and workers who have been maimed while in prison for the gospel's sake. Their new Children's Project received sufficient funds during the year to train and equip 1,001 Sunday School teachers. Pray for them as each one is expected to train an average of 100 children.

WILL YOU BE READY FOR PERSECUTION?

If you have read Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, you will also enjoy Red Runs the River and Exiles of Hope. These books about the persecuted church in China are must reading for every Christian because we need to prepare our families and churches for the coming persecution in America as we approach the End Times. Hijacked is another exciting Jack and Jenny Mystery that takes place in Hong Kong. Like the other books, it contains powerful spiritual truths our children need to hear. Go to www.bollback.com for prices of these books. We need to make an investment in our children's spiritual future. These books will help you with that formidable task.