The following report from China comes from Chinese Church Support Ministries While many Chinese on the mainland are becoming believers, there are also challenges from cults.
"A couple of years ago when I was travelling in a village in southern China, a lady who became a Christian some years ago came along and asked me: ‘Is the Old Testament Jehovah the brother of Jesus? They both have the same family name’ (Chinese names begin with the family name)… I believe there are lots of Christians like the lady. How can she understand the teachings in the Bible without help?” (CCL) This true story reveals how little Biblical teaching many Christians in China have. The dangers of such a lack are obvious. Believers can easily be led astray by false teaching and cults. We have shared in previous prayer updates about the ‘Lightning from the East’ cult that is making considerable inroads into the Chinese church. During August, a pastor in China reminded us of the danger, saying, “Lightning from the East is one of the major cults. They penetrate into areas where they have the least Bible teaching and indoctrinate people to join them.”This pastor also brought another dangerous cult to our attention. He told us: “Another cult is called the ‘Three Grades of Servants’. They are establishing human authority instead of God’s authority. They prey on ignorant believers. This group is very fervent and active in spreading their teaching and bringing harm to the Body of Christ. That’s why we want to equip ourselves to be able to stand against heresies.” A few days later a Chinese pastor in another city informed us that he had taken Bibles to a village and found that the church there was now controlled by this same cult.This cult uses Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25 as the basis for the church to be divided into “three grades of servants.” The leader has appointed himself as the “Great Servant,” and disobeying his commands is seen as disobedience to God. He also claims absolute power as the only mediator between God and man. The Reuters news agency reported in July that three members of the ‘Three Grades of Servants’ sect had been sentenced to death for the murder of twenty people who had left the cult."
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Good News from Ecuador
This report is from the IMB's South America Website Previously titled "Good News from Colombia" Later I was informed that this took place in Ecuador. Thanks for the correction, Guy.
Meet Mango Updated 05.18.06
Mango is a 3rd generation church start. They were born out of the Churute church plant just down the road, which in turn was born out of the Duran house church. If you haven't had a chance to read the Churute story, please don't miss the blessing! What follows is, "the rest of the story" of what God continues to do...
Today my daughter and I drove an hour out into the rich farmland to Mango to be with them in their Sunday gathering. Mango is not really a "house church" in that there is no way they could possibly fit everyone inside the tiny home of Marino, the servant-leader. Instead they meet outside under the shade of a Mango tree on little plastic stools. There were about 20 adults and a dozen or more children in attendance.
We met for three and a half hours. Part of the time was formal, but most of the time it was informal sharing, singing, praying, eating, making plans for an upcoming Baptism service, sharing of the Word, and exhortation with everyone present taking part. Most of the time, however, was spent sharing stories of how God has worked in each of their lives.
When he became a new believer, Don Cueva raised chickens for a living. A couple of weeks after professing Christ as Lord, his neighbor poisoned over 200 of his chickens saying he was tired of Cueva's chickens crossing over into his land. All poor Cueva could do was pile the dead birds in a heap and burn them. Don Cueva was as hot as the fire burning and was out to get revenge. But his cousin Manuel (see Churute story, above) shared with him Romans 12 where the Lord says, "vengeance belongs to me; I will repay..." As a new Christian, Don Cueva decided to wait and see how the Lord would truly avenge him for the wrong done to him.
Cueva decided to grow rice in the 4 hectares of land he owns. The bad neighbor owned 12 hectares of land and also sowed seed for rice on his land too. When harvest time came, Cueva's 4 hectares produced MORE rice than the neighbors 12! To this day, Cueva's rice field continues to produce more rice each harvest than his evil neighbor! I questioned Pablo again today and he just shook his head and said the Spanish equivalent, "it beats anything I have ever seen, there is no earthly explanation!" Don Cueva has tried everything he knows to befriend the neighbor--"if your enemy is hungry feed him"--but so far all he has seen accomplished is exactly what Romans 12 goes on to say, "you will be heaping fiery coals on his head..." We talked about several ideas he might try to win over his embittered neighbor. Will you pray for this neighbor's salvation? Don Cueva is truly burdened for his neighbor's soul.
Pablo (on the right). The last time I visited Mango was a year ago. We had gone for a day of evangelism in the locality. Pablo had never witnessed so he was assigned to my team. We visited several houses and shared the Gospel at each. After that we told Pablo, "It is your turn now. You see how it is done. You do it." And do it he did! You'd have thought he was a pro going around house to house sharing Christ! When we got back to the "Mango Tree" church for a meal and gathering, he broke down weeping and shared with us that his daughter had been kidnapped six weeks earlier and begged us to pray for her. As he knelt in the dirt, the entire church of new believers gathered around him and cried out loudly to God asking Him to bring the girl back safely. A few weeks later, his daughter showed up completely unharmed. The kidnappers had tired of her and sent her home! This greatly strengthened Pablo's new faith. He, along with Marino, Cueva, and a couple of other men in the Mango church are looking to start new churches in every town and village in their area of the province!
Some people feel that churches like Mango are much too weak to survive on their own for long without a trained pastor to lead them. All I can say is if you had been there today, heard their stories, seen how so many of their prayers have been answered, listened to their testimonies of how they came to know the Lord, watched them interact with one another, you would no longer doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ truly is His church and He is able to care for her just fine!
Meet Mango Updated 05.18.06
Mango is a 3rd generation church start. They were born out of the Churute church plant just down the road, which in turn was born out of the Duran house church. If you haven't had a chance to read the Churute story, please don't miss the blessing! What follows is, "the rest of the story" of what God continues to do...
Today my daughter and I drove an hour out into the rich farmland to Mango to be with them in their Sunday gathering. Mango is not really a "house church" in that there is no way they could possibly fit everyone inside the tiny home of Marino, the servant-leader. Instead they meet outside under the shade of a Mango tree on little plastic stools. There were about 20 adults and a dozen or more children in attendance.
We met for three and a half hours. Part of the time was formal, but most of the time it was informal sharing, singing, praying, eating, making plans for an upcoming Baptism service, sharing of the Word, and exhortation with everyone present taking part. Most of the time, however, was spent sharing stories of how God has worked in each of their lives.
When he became a new believer, Don Cueva raised chickens for a living. A couple of weeks after professing Christ as Lord, his neighbor poisoned over 200 of his chickens saying he was tired of Cueva's chickens crossing over into his land. All poor Cueva could do was pile the dead birds in a heap and burn them. Don Cueva was as hot as the fire burning and was out to get revenge. But his cousin Manuel (see Churute story, above) shared with him Romans 12 where the Lord says, "vengeance belongs to me; I will repay..." As a new Christian, Don Cueva decided to wait and see how the Lord would truly avenge him for the wrong done to him.
Cueva decided to grow rice in the 4 hectares of land he owns. The bad neighbor owned 12 hectares of land and also sowed seed for rice on his land too. When harvest time came, Cueva's 4 hectares produced MORE rice than the neighbors 12! To this day, Cueva's rice field continues to produce more rice each harvest than his evil neighbor! I questioned Pablo again today and he just shook his head and said the Spanish equivalent, "it beats anything I have ever seen, there is no earthly explanation!" Don Cueva has tried everything he knows to befriend the neighbor--"if your enemy is hungry feed him"--but so far all he has seen accomplished is exactly what Romans 12 goes on to say, "you will be heaping fiery coals on his head..." We talked about several ideas he might try to win over his embittered neighbor. Will you pray for this neighbor's salvation? Don Cueva is truly burdened for his neighbor's soul.
Pablo (on the right). The last time I visited Mango was a year ago. We had gone for a day of evangelism in the locality. Pablo had never witnessed so he was assigned to my team. We visited several houses and shared the Gospel at each. After that we told Pablo, "It is your turn now. You see how it is done. You do it." And do it he did! You'd have thought he was a pro going around house to house sharing Christ! When we got back to the "Mango Tree" church for a meal and gathering, he broke down weeping and shared with us that his daughter had been kidnapped six weeks earlier and begged us to pray for her. As he knelt in the dirt, the entire church of new believers gathered around him and cried out loudly to God asking Him to bring the girl back safely. A few weeks later, his daughter showed up completely unharmed. The kidnappers had tired of her and sent her home! This greatly strengthened Pablo's new faith. He, along with Marino, Cueva, and a couple of other men in the Mango church are looking to start new churches in every town and village in their area of the province!
Some people feel that churches like Mango are much too weak to survive on their own for long without a trained pastor to lead them. All I can say is if you had been there today, heard their stories, seen how so many of their prayers have been answered, listened to their testimonies of how they came to know the Lord, watched them interact with one another, you would no longer doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ truly is His church and He is able to care for her just fine!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
China Updates
From Heart4China “East Asia Update”
Dear Jesus, I Am A Sinner
The gathering was over, but six students had stayed behind to talk with the hostess. She was eager to know how they had processed the story of Christ's death and resurrection that she had shared. "Do you believe it?" she asked. "Yes, I believe it," said a high school junior. Then one by one, the six accepted Christ. She led them in a prayer of salvation, beginning with "Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner." They repeated what she said, one sentence at a time. When she saw the new believers one week later, she asked if they had shared Christ with their friends and family. One student replied that she had told seven family members and 10 dorm mates about Christ. When asked how they responded to the gospel, the student replied, "Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner." All 17 had received Him into their hearts!
Promises Kept
Previously he operated a disco, smoked, and drank. Then he ran into an old friend who told him about Christ. Although he immediately acknowledged the truth of the gospel, he didn't establish a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Christian friends began to pray for him, and he realized that he needed to allow God to change his heart. He told God that if He would help him break his smoking addiction, he would truly believe in Him. For four days, he was able to go without a cigarette. On the fifth day, he picked up a pack of cigarettes and heard God say, "I keep my promises. You keep yours." He threw the pack away and embraced the salvation freely given. He began worshipping in a house church, and shortly thereafter joined an evangelistic team in trips to neighboring locations. As they share Christ with others, they see other lives changed just as dramatically as his own.
From Workers on the Front Lines
"I've been out here nine years, and for the last two . . . I've never seen so many "T" people come to Christ and so many churches formed in all the major sub-groups. So that's really exciting to me. Perseverance is important. Being obedient. And then again, getting the Word of God out, getting the gospel out. It just takes time. You can't expect immediate results all the time."
"Why am I here 8,000 miles away from my old mother who often reminds me it's time to come home? For 20 plus years as a Christian, the Lord has allowed me to bring 12 precious souls into His Kingdom every year. But for the last two years, the Lord has allowed us to bring in over 6,000 precious souls. With tears in my eyes I told my mother, 'We must go back for the sake of the lost.' One day, I will take a very long vacation in heaven with my mother. Pray for my mother while I also pray for yours
Dear Jesus, I Am A Sinner
The gathering was over, but six students had stayed behind to talk with the hostess. She was eager to know how they had processed the story of Christ's death and resurrection that she had shared. "Do you believe it?" she asked. "Yes, I believe it," said a high school junior. Then one by one, the six accepted Christ. She led them in a prayer of salvation, beginning with "Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner." They repeated what she said, one sentence at a time. When she saw the new believers one week later, she asked if they had shared Christ with their friends and family. One student replied that she had told seven family members and 10 dorm mates about Christ. When asked how they responded to the gospel, the student replied, "Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner." All 17 had received Him into their hearts!
Promises Kept
Previously he operated a disco, smoked, and drank. Then he ran into an old friend who told him about Christ. Although he immediately acknowledged the truth of the gospel, he didn't establish a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Christian friends began to pray for him, and he realized that he needed to allow God to change his heart. He told God that if He would help him break his smoking addiction, he would truly believe in Him. For four days, he was able to go without a cigarette. On the fifth day, he picked up a pack of cigarettes and heard God say, "I keep my promises. You keep yours." He threw the pack away and embraced the salvation freely given. He began worshipping in a house church, and shortly thereafter joined an evangelistic team in trips to neighboring locations. As they share Christ with others, they see other lives changed just as dramatically as his own.
From Workers on the Front Lines
"I've been out here nine years, and for the last two . . . I've never seen so many "T" people come to Christ and so many churches formed in all the major sub-groups. So that's really exciting to me. Perseverance is important. Being obedient. And then again, getting the Word of God out, getting the gospel out. It just takes time. You can't expect immediate results all the time."
"Why am I here 8,000 miles away from my old mother who often reminds me it's time to come home? For 20 plus years as a Christian, the Lord has allowed me to bring 12 precious souls into His Kingdom every year. But for the last two years, the Lord has allowed us to bring in over 6,000 precious souls. With tears in my eyes I told my mother, 'We must go back for the sake of the lost.' One day, I will take a very long vacation in heaven with my mother. Pray for my mother while I also pray for yours
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
News from the New England area
The following is an excerpt from a newsletter sent out by Terry Dorsett, DOM for the Green Mountain Baptist Association (Vermont), part of the New England Baptist Convention.
"I had the honor of speaking at Concord Community Church this past Sunday. They do not currently have a pastor; yet seem to be moving forward as a church. Several new families were present since I was with them six weeks ago. They are voting on calling a youth pastor while they continue their search for a pastor. Pray for them as they move through this process.
The highlight of the past few days was the annual meeting of the association. Over 70 people from 20 churches gathered to sing, praise the Lord, share testimonies and hear reports of what God has been doing this past year. They also elected two new officers, passed the largest budget in the history of the association (with only a fairly small projected deficit!) and adopted a new strategy plan that will guide us through 2010. It is always good to see our co-laborers at annual meeting time and we enjoy being together as missionaries and pastors. Pray for the association as we seek to ignite spiritual passion across our state, engage our culture with the Gospel and raise up visionary leaders for a new generation."
Give thanks for those who serve the Lord in difficult places such as Vermont, probably the least-churched area in the USA. It is always good to hear reports from these areas. You may read more about the work in Vermont on the website:
http://www.vermontbaptist.org/
"I had the honor of speaking at Concord Community Church this past Sunday. They do not currently have a pastor; yet seem to be moving forward as a church. Several new families were present since I was with them six weeks ago. They are voting on calling a youth pastor while they continue their search for a pastor. Pray for them as they move through this process.
The highlight of the past few days was the annual meeting of the association. Over 70 people from 20 churches gathered to sing, praise the Lord, share testimonies and hear reports of what God has been doing this past year. They also elected two new officers, passed the largest budget in the history of the association (with only a fairly small projected deficit!) and adopted a new strategy plan that will guide us through 2010. It is always good to see our co-laborers at annual meeting time and we enjoy being together as missionaries and pastors. Pray for the association as we seek to ignite spiritual passion across our state, engage our culture with the Gospel and raise up visionary leaders for a new generation."
Give thanks for those who serve the Lord in difficult places such as Vermont, probably the least-churched area in the USA. It is always good to hear reports from these areas. You may read more about the work in Vermont on the website:
http://www.vermontbaptist.org/
Good news from up north
The following information was shared by a student worker in Pittsburgh. What a wonderful testimony to faithfulness and perseverance.
"We just had the privilege of seeing one of our students come to Christ--a kid we have been praying for over two years now.
The cool thing is, the student who led him through the book of John this Summer also just accepted Christ last year, and the guy who is discipling him (and also serving as our intern) accepted Christ last Fall.
So all three of them were names on our prayer list just 2 1/2 years ago. God is good!!!
You may read more about their ministry at the website "Sojourner "
http://thecherrypitt.blogspot.com/
"We just had the privilege of seeing one of our students come to Christ--a kid we have been praying for over two years now.
The cool thing is, the student who led him through the book of John this Summer also just accepted Christ last year, and the guy who is discipling him (and also serving as our intern) accepted Christ last Fall.
So all three of them were names on our prayer list just 2 1/2 years ago. God is good!!!
You may read more about their ministry at the website "Sojourner "
http://thecherrypitt.blogspot.com/
Saturday, October 21, 2006
This post containes a very challenging video by Jon Dale of House2House entitled, "Simple church interviews". Those being interviewed share their experience with a different kind of church. We trust you will be challenged, encouraged and inspired by these interviews.
Friday, October 20, 2006
More Good News from the Big Country
Here are some excerpts from reports from the big country in Asia.
1. Seated next to an Asian stranger on an airplane, the young American decided to share Christ. He pulled out some postcards from recent travels to jump-start the conversation. Soon he and his seatmate were talking about important matters. The American told the Asian man that he believes in God and the Asian man responded that he believes only in money. "But what happens when the money is gone?" asked the American. Then he asked the Asian man if he would like to hear his story. When the Asian man consented, the American told about his life before Christ, how he accepted Christ, and about his life as a Christian. When he asked the new Asian friend if he too would like to believe, the man said yes. Before the plane landed, he prayed to receive Christ into his heart. The two set a time to meet again and parted as brothers in Christ.
2. An Asian man who viewed the Jesus film simply could not get the message out of his mind. Over and over, he retold the story of salvation to his father. Finally his father challenged him, "You already told me this and I now I have accepted Christ. Why are you waiting?" The son, who had inadvertently evangelized his father, decided to accept Christ as well.
3. A blonde-haired American lady who would stand out in any Asian crowd has been standing up for Christ in her Asian city for years. Her greatest desire is to see the people of her city come to know Him. Recently she invited eight Asian friends to supper. Four of the invitees showed up: among them a Buddhist, a Communist party member, and a man who was having an illicit affair. Within three weeks after the supper, all four of the friends had accepted Christ into their hearts. One of them gave her the following note, "Jesus is our bridge to God. You were my bridge to Jesus. If you hadn't come to share Jesus, I think we would still be in the dark."
4. Even though his wife and daughter had accepted Christ, he had resisted salvation for five years. When he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 36, he finally received Jesus into his heart. Asked what made the difference, the new believer said it was the love of Christ. He realized as he lay in his hospital bed that it was not his unbelieving friends, but Christians who ministered to him.
1. Seated next to an Asian stranger on an airplane, the young American decided to share Christ. He pulled out some postcards from recent travels to jump-start the conversation. Soon he and his seatmate were talking about important matters. The American told the Asian man that he believes in God and the Asian man responded that he believes only in money. "But what happens when the money is gone?" asked the American. Then he asked the Asian man if he would like to hear his story. When the Asian man consented, the American told about his life before Christ, how he accepted Christ, and about his life as a Christian. When he asked the new Asian friend if he too would like to believe, the man said yes. Before the plane landed, he prayed to receive Christ into his heart. The two set a time to meet again and parted as brothers in Christ.
2. An Asian man who viewed the Jesus film simply could not get the message out of his mind. Over and over, he retold the story of salvation to his father. Finally his father challenged him, "You already told me this and I now I have accepted Christ. Why are you waiting?" The son, who had inadvertently evangelized his father, decided to accept Christ as well.
3. A blonde-haired American lady who would stand out in any Asian crowd has been standing up for Christ in her Asian city for years. Her greatest desire is to see the people of her city come to know Him. Recently she invited eight Asian friends to supper. Four of the invitees showed up: among them a Buddhist, a Communist party member, and a man who was having an illicit affair. Within three weeks after the supper, all four of the friends had accepted Christ into their hearts. One of them gave her the following note, "Jesus is our bridge to God. You were my bridge to Jesus. If you hadn't come to share Jesus, I think we would still be in the dark."
4. Even though his wife and daughter had accepted Christ, he had resisted salvation for five years. When he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 36, he finally received Jesus into his heart. Asked what made the difference, the new believer said it was the love of Christ. He realized as he lay in his hospital bed that it was not his unbelieving friends, but Christians who ministered to him.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Good news from the big country
We received a newsletter from friends of ours working in a large city in the Big Country (if you don't know which one, email me and I will tell you). They are currently on state-side assignment, but heard from some coworkers back on the field.
Here is the report "While we are away this summer, some of our local friends baptized more than 450 new believers."
This is certainly reason to praise the Lord. Their friends include those doing church from home-based groups. What a wonderful testimony.
Rejoice with us and with them.
Milton and Nannette
Here is the report "While we are away this summer, some of our local friends baptized more than 450 new believers."
This is certainly reason to praise the Lord. Their friends include those doing church from home-based groups. What a wonderful testimony.
Rejoice with us and with them.
Milton and Nannette
Reason to Praise
As you read this, you will be one of the first to visit this blog. A word or two about the title, and purpose. In reading many of the blogs by significant leaders and experienced pastors, etc, I have noticed that there seems to be an abundance of problems and challenges within and without the SBC, CBF, BGCT, and all the other Baptist groups. Faithful bloggers have not missed opportunities to point these out, sometimes offering solutions, but mostly articulating the source of the problems as they see it. Of course, this stirs up those with opposing views, who seem to be waiting to post their opinions on whatever blog they find, and thus the battle is joined.
It seems to me that in the midst of the heated discussions that occur on so many blogs, there ought to be a time and opportunity to offer praise to our Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ for the many good things that are happening in our lives, our churches, the various missionary and outreach organizations here and abroad. This is not to ignore the many serious disagreements that exist within our ranks, but simply to say that in the midst of the chaos which seems to be pervading our world, there are many wonderful things taking place that demonstrate the love and power of God at work in human lives.
So this is the reason for the blog. You are welcome to post your contributions, preferably "reasons for praise." However, don't hesitate to post prayer concerns, suggestions for the blog, encouragements for fellow travelers, etc.
Milton (OCHand)
It seems to me that in the midst of the heated discussions that occur on so many blogs, there ought to be a time and opportunity to offer praise to our Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ for the many good things that are happening in our lives, our churches, the various missionary and outreach organizations here and abroad. This is not to ignore the many serious disagreements that exist within our ranks, but simply to say that in the midst of the chaos which seems to be pervading our world, there are many wonderful things taking place that demonstrate the love and power of God at work in human lives.
So this is the reason for the blog. You are welcome to post your contributions, preferably "reasons for praise." However, don't hesitate to post prayer concerns, suggestions for the blog, encouragements for fellow travelers, etc.
Milton (OCHand)
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