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September 2006 |
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AN ASTOUNDING POSSIBILITY
Writing in “The Pander Bearer of Good News,” Glen Osborn, President of China Outreach Ministries shared an astounding possibility. A speaker at their Staff Conference encouraged them to believe that they were engaged in a most influential ministry of working with China’s cream-of-the crop scholars studying for advanced degrees in American universities.
He wrote, “How is it possible to change a whole nation of 1.3 billion people? The answer is ‘one person at a time’ - and in China’s case it is one key influential person at a time. Just imagine, "he continued in his editorial comments, “the impact of a Chinese MBA student at Harvard or some other top school, coming to Christ while in America, and returning to China to lead a business and influence business practices as a CEO utilizing Biblical principles. Or a top medical professional influencing the doctors they are training, or a lawyer bringing change in the legal system, or a key professor at a major university influencing students, or even government officials impacting policy decisions based on Christian faith.
“We don't just have to imagine these things,” reported Osborn., “They are happening today! More and more top Chinese intellectuals are returning to China as Christians, and they are influencing others for Christ and His Kingdom.” (See item below about a lawyer turned Christian)
A CHIEF CONCERN OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
Actually, there are more Christians in China today than there are Communist Party members! Furthermore, of deeper concern to the government is the fact that it is reported that as many as 25% of government officials may be practicing Christians who object to the government telling them they must not be Christians! Steps have been taken by the government to warn such people that their beliefs will not be tolerated. David Aikman suggests in "Jesus In Beijing" that at the present rate of conversions among the people in China, it is possible that 30% of the population could be Christians within the next 25 years! With an estimated 80-100 million Christians in China today, the country is well on its way to becoming the most populous Christian nation in the world!
STOP THE PRESS! LUIS PALAU RELEASES BOOK IN CHINA
Hot off the press today, September 1st, is the report that Luis Palau and Mr. Zhao Qizheng, an atheist and former Minister of Information for the Chinese government, released the book they co authored entitled "Riverside Talks: A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and a Christian." Amidst fanfare seldom seen in China, the book was released in Beijing to a packed press conference. The historic event was cut short when the enthusiastic crowd of journalists, photographers and TV crews rushed forward for interviews and autographs. According to one official, this is the first time in China's history that an international religious leader had been permitted to sign copies of his book in a large public venue. Another remarked, "This is amazing- very un-Chinese and very historic." Both men expressed great joy at their friendship which developed over the period of the two years the book has been in preparation. Palau faithfully expressed the gospel in clear terminology. He says in one place: "Jesus says, Mr. Zhao, if you'll open your heart to me, I will come into your life, forgive all your mistakes and all your sins, give you peace in your conscience. I will send my Spirit into your life. I will give you the assurance of eternal life. I will answer your prayers. I will guide your path. I will bless you in every way." The book was released in Chinese and English and will be available in the US in the next few months.
THE ROAD TO WUNIDONG
It has been reported that Christians from around the world have donated funds for the construction of a road in the mountains to the Wunidong Leprosarium. A coworker friend responsible for helping with this project just reported traveling over this new road with its hairpin curves and steep drop offs to the valley below. “It’s not a trip for the faint of heart,” he reported! In September, he and his wife will make another trip into a remote area of China to research areas needing a church. Pray that pastors, workers and believers will be of mutual encouragement for the advance of God’s Kingdom.
COLOMBIAN MISSIONARY MINISTERS IN PANAMA
Beverly Boon, missionary to Colombia, traveled to Panama in July to lead a teacher-training course at the Alliance Church. Thirteen eager Chinese young people who understand Spanish took the course as they prepare themselves for service wherever God leads them. Pray for these young people who are fanning out to reach the 150,000 Chinese in the city. There are only 500 Chinese believers in the city, but they are purchasing a large property on a major avenue for the purpose of reaching their countrymen for Christ. Pray that the second half of the funds needed by December will be provided for this exciting outreach.
MORNING STAR MINISTRIES EXPERIENCE PROGRESS IN THEIR SCHOOL
Workers with Morning Star Ministries are attempting to start an elementary school in China. They had previously experienced some harassment from officials seeking a bribe, but since none was forth coming, it seems they have given up and the situation is more peaceful. A new teacher is planning to join their staff as soon as she raises her support. The Director of this project has regular contact with one of the “uncles” of the house church movement who is now 88 years old. (An "uncle" is one of the founders of the house church movement.) He spent more than two decades in prison for his faith, and longs to continue to serve the Lord until he is called home. Pray for this giant of the church to be given strength for projects he still wants to accomplish for Christ's Kingdom.
HANGZHOU CHURCH FOR 5,000 BELIEVERS BULLDOZED
From a news bulletin received from China Aid Association (CAA) on August 20, it was reported that a church building for 5,000 believers in Hangzhou city was bulldozed to the ground before the horrified eyes of the congregation. Many were arrested and suffered severe beatings that required hospitalization. Some are still in custody. It was reported in TIME magazine by eye-witnesses that at 2:30 PM thousands of uniformed police and plainclothes security officers cleared the way through the crowds of believers for several drill-equipped backhoes to begin demolition of the half-completed building the government labeled illegal. Witnesses say police bludgeoned people indiscriminately with nightsticks and grabbed women, even some old ladies, by the hair wrestling them to the ground. The police claimed that about 100 Christians attacked the police, but witnesses produced hospital receipts for TIME magazine that attest that they were treated for broken ribs and other injuries. One reported that as they lay on the ground the police scoffed at them saying, “Where is your God now? Why can't he help you? If you want to go to heaven, we'll help you get there right now.”
HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER ARRESTED
A news report released on August 21st stated that in another city six house church leaders were formally arrested after their church building was demolished on July 29th. Several prominent human rights lawyers have come forward to defend the Christians, and one in particular, Gao Zhisheng, has whole-heartedly embraced Christianity as a believer. On August 15th, he was kidnapped from his sister's home in Shangdong Province. Two days later, the Chinese official news agency confirmed Gao’s arrest and accused him as a suspect who had committed a crime. His whereabouts are still unknown .His wife and children are under house arrest. Mr. Gao is accused of aiding and abetting “illegal” house church leaders. Pray for the release of these believers as well as Pastor Zhang Rongliang who was mentioned in the last issue as having been sentenced to 7 ½ years in a labor camp for his Christian activities as leader of a very large house church network.
INNER MONGOLIA HOUSE CHURCH LEADER SENTENCED
A house church in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China was raided in August by local police. They confiscated church property including stools, blackboard, literature, etc. and warned the believers not to gather except in government sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Churches. Wu Guilan, a female Mongolian Christian worker was sentenced to one year of re-education through labor for evangelizing the Mongolian people and teaching them to worship the “Heavenly God.” She was sentenced on suspicion of organizing a cult.
THE CROSS-CULTURAL WORKERS REPORT
A report is made each month about the training centers where cross-cultural workers are preparing to take the gospel back to Jerusalem. Here are three requests for prayer:
A PERSONAL REQUEST On August 14th, I had a pacemaker implanted in my left shoulder to stabilize my erratic heartbeat. This was an unexpected development without much prior warning that has caused me to cancel all speaking engagements through October. The good news is that the pacemaker seems to be doing its job very well and I am returning to normal except for speaking and driving. Your prayers will be much appreciated so that I may be able to continue ministering as long as possible for God’s glory. I am grateful that I have been able to return to my computer and expect to be able to carry on with little difficulty.
Yours for the Cause
of Jesus Christ in China,
Anthony Bollback |
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