CHINA. A believer who is a member of an ethnic minority group traveled far late last year to find someone to tell him how to share the gospel. He found someone more than willing, not only to tell him, but to show him by doing. Since then, the newly discipled believer has been instrumental in leading more than 40 members of his minority group to Christ and has started several Bible study groups. Recently he also received official permission to travel into some normally restricted areas where his minority people live. He fully intends to take the Good News with him and share it in with people who have never heard.
CHINA. She was only ten-years old when she was kidnapped from her Lisu minority village 70 years ago and taken to another minority community. There she grew up and eventually married. She learned to speak the dialect of the local people, adopted their culture, and even grew to accept their religious traditions. Early this year, a group of Lisu believers visited the village where the aging woman lives. When she heard the Lisu dialect, she recognized it immediately as her mother tongue. Memories flooded her heart and mind as she told them her amazing story of exile. In return, they told her a story that was even more amazing, the story of God's love manifested through Christ. As she knelt in prayer to accept Jesus into her heart, she knew that she had truly been found.
CHINA. A group of six Christians who were facilitating an English camp at a local school were called to the principal's office. There they were joined by six nonbelievers who were also helping with the camp and had also been summoned. The Christians knew that the principal was a believer, but felt a bit awkward when he asked them to sing some songs together. They did so anyway, even as they wondered what was going on. Then all of the sudden, he blurted out to the Christians, "Tell them." No longer puzzled about his intent, the believers began to share their testimonies and respond to the probing earnest questions of the nonbelievers. The sharing lasted for hours, and even though there were no salvation decisions right then, doors had been opened wide through the determination of that one principal.
(Courtesy of IMB heart4china)
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Updates from China
From IMB-East Asia website
Planting seeds, reaping the harvest
The timing was uncanny. The two believers were sitting in a traditional tea house as the guests of two Buddhist monks whom they had befriended for the sake of the gospel. One of the believers had witnessed to the monks several times. As the server began to pour tea, one of the monks introduced the foreign guests as "people who study the Bible." The waitress looked directly at them and said, "I want to become a Christian." The believers began immediately to pray silently for the waitress. After the visit was over and the monks had left, they remained behind to share the plan of salvation with her. She accepted Christ that night.
The power of prayer
As a student in China, the radiant Christian used every chance she had to share Christ with her language teacher. If the assignment was to begin a sentence with "I", for instance, she would say, "I love to read my Bible every day." One sentence led to another, and most of the class time was spent talking about Jesus. During her vacation, the student prayed daily for her lost Chinese teacher. When she returned to class, she was thrilled to hear the teacher say, "I had a dream last night. God told me that He was God and that I need to believe."
Sharing the same Father
CHINA. The American Christian understood all too well how her Chinese friend had suffered. Even though they were from different cultures, both had seen the marriage of their parents severed by divorce. Sitting by a pond one day, she told her Chinese friend about God's love. As the friend began to cry over the thought of a Heavenly Father who loved her, the American joined her in shedding tears over the sovereignty of God who would allow her to share out of her own pain of the past. Then she heard her Chinese friend say, "I believe in God. I just want to know more." The Christian was all too glad to share much more about His saving grace. Now the two ladies share the same Father.
'Why is this the first time I’ve heard this story?’
Soon after the Christian worker arrived in China, he found himself talking about God to a Chinese man who seemed to have countless questions. Then he gave his testimony, and the next thing he knew, he was using a tract to lead the man through the plan of salvation. The Chinese man accepted Christ and then he expressed disbelief that bordered on anger. "I'm thirty-something years old. Why is this the first time I've heard this story?" It was a great question -- one that cut to the heart of the Christian worker who has since led a team in distributing tens of thousands of pieces of evangelistic material in the China megacity where he serves.
Manicurist learns about Jesus' hands
Miss K, a Chinese manicurist, spent long days working on the hands of customers. So, when over a period of several visits a Christian friend explained to her how God had created her right down to her fingers and toes, Kelly was intrigued. Then when she heard how the hands of Jesus were pierced by nails so that He could purchase her salvation on a cross, she understood His love and asked Him to enter her heart. She will never see hands in quite the same light as before, nor will her life ever again be the same.
Family receives Christ
The Chinese believers were surprised when they shared the gospel with a hospitalized boy and his family, and the entire family immediately responded that they wanted to receive Christ. The evangelists asked the family why they were willing to accept Christ so readily. The family members replied that they had found a packet containing a JESUS film and some gospel tracts in front of their home several months earlier. They had long since viewed the film and read the tracts. They just hadn't been sure how to proceed from there. So when the offer was made, they were more than willing for someone to lead them in a prayer of salvation
Planting seeds, reaping the harvest
The timing was uncanny. The two believers were sitting in a traditional tea house as the guests of two Buddhist monks whom they had befriended for the sake of the gospel. One of the believers had witnessed to the monks several times. As the server began to pour tea, one of the monks introduced the foreign guests as "people who study the Bible." The waitress looked directly at them and said, "I want to become a Christian." The believers began immediately to pray silently for the waitress. After the visit was over and the monks had left, they remained behind to share the plan of salvation with her. She accepted Christ that night.
The power of prayer
As a student in China, the radiant Christian used every chance she had to share Christ with her language teacher. If the assignment was to begin a sentence with "I", for instance, she would say, "I love to read my Bible every day." One sentence led to another, and most of the class time was spent talking about Jesus. During her vacation, the student prayed daily for her lost Chinese teacher. When she returned to class, she was thrilled to hear the teacher say, "I had a dream last night. God told me that He was God and that I need to believe."
Sharing the same Father
CHINA. The American Christian understood all too well how her Chinese friend had suffered. Even though they were from different cultures, both had seen the marriage of their parents severed by divorce. Sitting by a pond one day, she told her Chinese friend about God's love. As the friend began to cry over the thought of a Heavenly Father who loved her, the American joined her in shedding tears over the sovereignty of God who would allow her to share out of her own pain of the past. Then she heard her Chinese friend say, "I believe in God. I just want to know more." The Christian was all too glad to share much more about His saving grace. Now the two ladies share the same Father.
'Why is this the first time I’ve heard this story?’
Soon after the Christian worker arrived in China, he found himself talking about God to a Chinese man who seemed to have countless questions. Then he gave his testimony, and the next thing he knew, he was using a tract to lead the man through the plan of salvation. The Chinese man accepted Christ and then he expressed disbelief that bordered on anger. "I'm thirty-something years old. Why is this the first time I've heard this story?" It was a great question -- one that cut to the heart of the Christian worker who has since led a team in distributing tens of thousands of pieces of evangelistic material in the China megacity where he serves.
Manicurist learns about Jesus' hands
Miss K, a Chinese manicurist, spent long days working on the hands of customers. So, when over a period of several visits a Christian friend explained to her how God had created her right down to her fingers and toes, Kelly was intrigued. Then when she heard how the hands of Jesus were pierced by nails so that He could purchase her salvation on a cross, she understood His love and asked Him to enter her heart. She will never see hands in quite the same light as before, nor will her life ever again be the same.
Family receives Christ
The Chinese believers were surprised when they shared the gospel with a hospitalized boy and his family, and the entire family immediately responded that they wanted to receive Christ. The evangelists asked the family why they were willing to accept Christ so readily. The family members replied that they had found a packet containing a JESUS film and some gospel tracts in front of their home several months earlier. They had long since viewed the film and read the tracts. They just hadn't been sure how to proceed from there. So when the offer was made, they were more than willing for someone to lead them in a prayer of salvation
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
News from the Big Country
The following is taken from reports from China (the Big Country) published by the IMB.
PREACHABLES Volume 79: February 8, 2007
CHINA. “See this is the Bible you gave me! I have read it many times over. The Lord has helped me plant new churches!” So exclaimed the Chinese man as he welcomed back to his city the house church trainer who had given him his first Bible six months earlier. He could hardly wait to tell the trainer that through the power of the Holy Spirit, he had since begun six new congregations. He and several dozen others in his training group baptized 1,000 new believers in 2006.
PREACHABLES Volume 79: February 8, 2007
CHINA. “See this is the Bible you gave me! I have read it many times over. The Lord has helped me plant new churches!” So exclaimed the Chinese man as he welcomed back to his city the house church trainer who had given him his first Bible six months earlier. He could hardly wait to tell the trainer that through the power of the Holy Spirit, he had since begun six new congregations. He and several dozen others in his training group baptized 1,000 new believers in 2006.
CHINA. Most of the members of a particular house church were elderly. Although they worshipped together regularly, they weren’t very evangelistic. They hadn’t added to their numbers in quite some time. One day their gathering was interrupted by authorities who made them promise never to meet together again. So they didn’t. Seven of their members went out and started seven new house churches! Those unfriendly to the gospel had inadvertantly catalyzed its spread.
CHINA. Last Thanksgiving a worker in China looked forward to hearing from all 14 of her family members. She knew that they would call her after their traditional Thanksgiving meal at her parents' house. But since China time is a half day ahead of U.S. time, she wasn't expecting the call until that evening. In the meantime, she eagerly joined in a Thanksgiving outreach to 30 lost Chinese friends. During a time of decision, 14 of them accepted Jesus. The young worker was touched to realize that the Father, who knew how much she missed her large family back home, had given her just as many new family members that very day.
CHINA. In his work as a health professional, the Chinese man heard a recovering patient singing. He made a point of talking with her and she invited him to church. He accepted Christ, became active in a house church, and later on even began to co-lead the group. When he heard a presentation on the importance of exponential church growth, he was inspired him to leave the house church to start new worship groups. Within four months time, he helped start five new house churches in a previously unreached area. What started with a song has grown into a chorus of congregations praising Him.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
East Asia Update
It's About Him, Not Us
An Extraordinary God Working through Ordinary People
A Christian worker had spent the day coughing and clearing his throat. Hardly able to speak, he was nevertheless determined to share a gospel message with those visiting in his home. As he concluded his short presentation, a particularly resistant seeker opened her heart to receive Christ. He was keenly aware that in his weakness, God's strength had been perfected.
Another worker felt that his well laid plans had been thwarted. The lost man whom he had traveled far to visit was not at home. After engaging in what could best be described as a pity party, he once again submitted his hopes to the Father. A short time later, he had opportunity to share, not only with the man he had come to see, but with several of the man's friends.
Yet another worker showed up to lead a training group on behalf of his student who had fallen ill. As he struggled to teach the session in Chinese, he realized that the student's mother was very familiar with the material. Although the mother had only been a Christian for four months, she had already read through the Bible three times! He moved out of the way and listened with amazement as the new believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, presented the lesson with clarity and understanding.
Those who have committed to making Christ known in China are constantly reminded that they are simply called to make themselves available and give their best to Him. He is the one with the power and the plan.
To read more stories from East Asia, please go to: https://my.newsletter4fun.com/index.cfm/fa/ct.go/LID/12007/m/2276/sID/6802JA445A4E6450A0A060441.cfm
(Left) The holidays provide some of the best opportunities to share the love of Christ with the peoples of East Asia. Happy Thanksgiving!
An Extraordinary God Working through Ordinary People
A Christian worker had spent the day coughing and clearing his throat. Hardly able to speak, he was nevertheless determined to share a gospel message with those visiting in his home. As he concluded his short presentation, a particularly resistant seeker opened her heart to receive Christ. He was keenly aware that in his weakness, God's strength had been perfected.
Another worker felt that his well laid plans had been thwarted. The lost man whom he had traveled far to visit was not at home. After engaging in what could best be described as a pity party, he once again submitted his hopes to the Father. A short time later, he had opportunity to share, not only with the man he had come to see, but with several of the man's friends.
Yet another worker showed up to lead a training group on behalf of his student who had fallen ill. As he struggled to teach the session in Chinese, he realized that the student's mother was very familiar with the material. Although the mother had only been a Christian for four months, she had already read through the Bible three times! He moved out of the way and listened with amazement as the new believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, presented the lesson with clarity and understanding.
Those who have committed to making Christ known in China are constantly reminded that they are simply called to make themselves available and give their best to Him. He is the one with the power and the plan.
To read more stories from East Asia, please go to: https://my.newsletter4fun.com/index.cfm/fa/ct.go/LID/12007/m/2276/sID/6802JA445A4E6450A0A060441.cfm
(Left) The holidays provide some of the best opportunities to share the love of Christ with the peoples of East Asia. Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Chinese Christians Give testimony
From CCSM "China Prayer Update" November, 2006
"The hardest people to reach are staunch atheists, staunch Buddhists and idol worshippers." That is what an experienced Chinese house church leader told us earlier this year. He thanked God that the Gospel is now impacting China, but shared his longing that many more people would come to know the Lord.
Yet another report shared the experiences of some Christian workers that, 'People have found no comfort from folk-relition, Buddhism or Daoism. Retired communist cadres often find that serving the Party all their lives has left them impoverished on small pensions, forgotten and unlived. Materialistic Marxism has no comfort to offer beyond the grave. (CCL)
When one Christian believer shared her testimony with us, she reminded us of the thousands of years of tradition of worshipping idols in China. She told us that she was in her twenties before she knowingly met a Christian. The Christian co-worker she got to know gave her some tracts to read and she had a lot of arguments with him. Finally she told him, "You believe your Jesus; I'll believe in idols." Yet as she contrasted Christianity and Buddhism, she realized, "Buddhism i sabout getting blessing for yourself; Christianity is about blessing others. They're very different." It took a number of months but finally she was ready to put her trust in the Lord Jesus. She shared, "I totally changed my outlook and professed openly that I was a Christian. I got rid of my charms and idols and was baptized."
"The hardest people to reach are staunch atheists, staunch Buddhists and idol worshippers." That is what an experienced Chinese house church leader told us earlier this year. He thanked God that the Gospel is now impacting China, but shared his longing that many more people would come to know the Lord.
Yet another report shared the experiences of some Christian workers that, 'People have found no comfort from folk-relition, Buddhism or Daoism. Retired communist cadres often find that serving the Party all their lives has left them impoverished on small pensions, forgotten and unlived. Materialistic Marxism has no comfort to offer beyond the grave. (CCL)
When one Christian believer shared her testimony with us, she reminded us of the thousands of years of tradition of worshipping idols in China. She told us that she was in her twenties before she knowingly met a Christian. The Christian co-worker she got to know gave her some tracts to read and she had a lot of arguments with him. Finally she told him, "You believe your Jesus; I'll believe in idols." Yet as she contrasted Christianity and Buddhism, she realized, "Buddhism i sabout getting blessing for yourself; Christianity is about blessing others. They're very different." It took a number of months but finally she was ready to put her trust in the Lord Jesus. She shared, "I totally changed my outlook and professed openly that I was a Christian. I got rid of my charms and idols and was baptized."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)