200 YEARS OF MISSIONS IN CHINA

 

Two hundred years ago in 1807, Robert Morrison, the first Protestant missionary landed in the Portuguese Colony of Macau in South China, and began his most illustrious ministry.  He soon became proficient in both Mandarin and the Cantonese dialect, and by 1819 had completed the translation of the Bible. He is buried in the Christian cemetery in Macau where many visitors gather to praise God for this valiant servant who made such extreme sacrifices to open China to the Gospel. His exploits for God opened the way for thousands of missionaries to work in China, which along with the sacrificial ministries of thousands of pastors and evangelists, China has become one of the fastest growing Christian communities in the world. An estimated 20,000 Chinese turn to Christ every day, and in spite of the severe persecution that has existed since the Communist takeover, the Christian population has grown from less than a million in 1949 to more than 130 million today!

 

CHINA’S BOOK OF MARTYRS

 

A deeply moving book by Paul Hattaway entitled “China’s Book of Martyrs” has just come off the press.  Although Protestant missionary work began with Robert Morrison, there have been Christians in China for many centuries.  There is anecdotal evidence that the Gospel may have reached China a few decades after Christ’s resurrection. The first firm evidence is recorded in AD 635 when Nestorian missionaries from Central Asia and the Middle East came down what has become known as the Silk Road. Paul Hattaway has performed a great service to the cause of Christ by carefully assembling the long history of the thousands of martyrs who paid the supreme sacrifice of their lives to make Christ known and bring to pass the astonishing growth of the church in China today. This 656 page book with 550 pictures is available from Asia Harvest, 1903 60^th Place, Suite M1204, Bradenton, FL 34203 for $27.00 plus $4.00 postage. It can be ordered on line at www.asiaharvest.org     

 

CHURCHES EXPAND EXPONENTIALLY

 

The last 200 years have witnessed the ups and downs of the Protestant church in China, but we would do well to remember that some form of Christianity has been in China for at least 1172 years. Today, China is one of the strongest Christian communities in the world, and is growing so rapidly that it is almost impossible to keep up with the new growth. Thousands of churches and house churches are opening each year, and this rapid multiplicity of churches has puzzled the Communist government that does not understand that persecution fans the flame and unleashes God’s people to do exploits.

 

THE REMOTEST REGIONS REACHED

 

The vastness of China’s land mass and the huge population of this largest nation on earth has brought the modern missionary movement challenges that at times seemed impossible. Tibet, once a remote and isolated area of China, is no longer inaccessible since the new bullet train traverses the country in a few hours that used to take months to trek over. A teacher with Interserve USA in this limited access area of China reports that although he is a professional teacher of English, he has taken upon himself to study Tibetan to better reach his many Tibetan students. Working with his language teacher, a Buddhist monk, he discovered that someone had translated the Lord’s Prayer into Tibetan using the seven syllable-chanting meter. Now they begin each class with the Tibetan chanting of the Lord’s Prayer.  The Twenty Third Psalm is their present project. This monk once asked if there were any Christian monks and nuns.  Pray for this man and thousands like him who are being exposed to the Bible as never before.

 

THE CHURCH IN MONGOLIA

 

In less than 20 years, the church has grown from 4 believers to 40,000! That church also has a great passion to reach other Mongolians for Christ and then to extend their reach beyond their own borders. All over China the church is awakening to its responsibility to spread the Good News. That is why the so-called Back to Jerusalem Movement is growing at such a phenomenal rate.

 

THE LFD PRAYER TEAM

 

This highly committed group of Chinese believers whose goal is to train, prepare and send cross-cultural workers through the 10/40 window is facing some big challenges. Contact them at prayer@lfdusa.org to get on the mailing list and find out how to support this outstanding ministry.  They have encountered problems obtaining passports for their workers, and prayer is requested that those waiting will develop a new confidence in God for the provision of this need. There are trainees on the field learning the language of their adopted country. They need to become proficient in the language to best communicate the message. Some students suffer from depression and insomnia and need the divine touch of God on their lives. Nothing has changed through all the years of spreading the gospel: discouragement is a favorite tool of Satan. The language barrier has always been a hindrance to ministry. Funds are also a pressing problem that Satan uses to weaken the resolve of God’s people and sometimes cause them to turn back. Pray that students in their adopted countries, those waiting for visas and those in training centers in Asia will be strengthened as they are captivated by the passion to serve Jesus wherever He leads.

 

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, INC

 

One of the organizations God has blessed to reach the mainland of China is Ambassadors for Christ. Since 1990, they have distributed more than 3 million pieces of literature through their Mainland Chinese Literature Ministry. Two years ago, a young believer by the name of Shufen was preparing for a visit to her far-a-way home back in China. She was given some literature to take with her which she distributed to her family members and friends. She was discouraged by their negative response, but gradually her parents, both professionals, began to look at the videos she had left with them. A few months later, her father called to inform her that both he and his wife had accepted Christ. Pray for the more than 300,000 books and videos printed and distributed each year by AFC. For more information on how to reach this vast nation, log on to www.afcinc.org and get involved.

 

REACHING CHINESE SCHOLARS IN THE USA

 

China Outreach Ministries continues to reach out to thousands of Chinese students at American universities. Their proposed training center for Chinese who have recently found Christ and are returning to China is making remarkable progress. Of the $700,000 needed for this center and headquarters, over $500,000 has already been received in gifts and pledges. This is one of the outstanding ministries in the USA dedicated to reaching Chinese scholars when they come to our shores. Contact them at chinaout@aol.com for ways to pray for them and contribute to this ministry.

 

ALLIANCE RADIO DOES ITS PART

    

The Alliance Radio Studio in Hong Kong continues to produce programs for China that are being used effectively to reach the nation. Special programs for rural workers now living in crowded dormitories in major cities are assisting these people to find Christ and be fed on the Word. The Executive Director of this ministry recently spent time in rural areas of China leading training sessions for workers. She reported that though they are poor in material things, they are rich spiritually and eagerly studying God’s Word in order to proclaim the truth more effectively.  Alliance radio is playing an important part in reaching rural China as well as the big cities and the number of responses continues to grow in enthusiasm.  This ministry can be viewed on their website http://www.cmaradiohk.org

 

PERSECUTION PERSISTS AND PEOPLE EXPELLED

 

Even though tremendous progress has been made and the church is growing throughout the country, persecution of house church leaders persists. As the Olympic Games 2008 draws near, foreigners likely to cause difficulty are being expelled from the country and Chinese leaders imprisoned.

 

JACK & JENNY BOOKS ON HONG KONG MOVING FAST

 

Full sets of the Jack & Jenny Mystery Series are going fast with only about 75 left in stock. These fascinating stories based in Hong Kong have thrilled children for years, but now the stock is dwindling and will not be reprinted. After the full sets are gone, some titles will still be available so everyone is urged to get a full set while they last.  Each book costs $2.00 or $12.00 per set of 6 plus $4.00 postage for a total of $16.00. Two sets @ $24.00 plus postage $5.50 postage for a total of $29.50. More than 2 sets, please write for postage quote. Send e-mail to AGBollback@cfl.rr.com

 

THE STORY OF CHINA'S PERSECUTED CHURCH 

 

Now more than ever, this deeply moving series on China's persecuted church is challenging people everywhere to live for Christ and to change their pattern of praying for missions. They also stimulate thought about what will happen in America in the end times when persecution comes to our shores. With the rise of secular humanism and radical Islam, growing political  correctness will continue to increase in America, and believers will face more and more persecution right here in our great country. Red Runs the River and Exiles of Hope are extremely helpful in preparing western believers to face persecution here as well. These books are available any time at $12.00 per copy plus $4.00 postage for a total of $16.00. SPECIAL: Both books mailed to the same address plus $4.00 postage comes to a total of $28.00. Start reading and sharing these books today and be prepared to stand up for Jesus.