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

Good news about CPM

The following is taken from an M's blog. Name will be supplied upon request.

Why not CPM?

CPM: Babies Teaching Babies? is one of my first posts written over a year ago on the "M Blog". It also stands as probably my most read and commented post.Recently, a year after writing the post, I received yet another comment from "Uncle" an IMB missionary serving in East Asia. What was particularly interesting to me is that "Uncle" is personally involved in what has been classified as a "Church Planting Movement". CPM is what all of us M's out there are praying for and longing to see happen in our midst."Uncle's" comments about CPM brings the subject back to center stage and revisits some of the issues that have made CPM a highly debated subject in many quarters. I definitely think it is worthy of our attention (especially for M's and church planters) and so I am reprinting his comments with the hope of rekindling what I believe is one of the most relevant church planting subjects out there."Uncle" asks, "Why not CPM?"

Hello, I must say that I just found your blog on CPM (is this thread really a
year old?) …read it from top to bottom and found it interesting. I am an IMB M
in EA with a city focus and we have been classified as a CPM by the current
standards.I must tell you that CPM is difficult to define outside of the
definition of “churches rapidly reproducing churches”. There are lots of
“handles” or “tools” that are taught at the Farm or Ranch …what ever they are
calling it now that are solid principles that can help you reach your goal of a
CPM.Maybe unlike some of you I believe that these handles/tools which are what I
would call “canned” do indeed provide building blocks by which you can indeed
plant churches. I am not negating the role of the HS in this for without the
stirring of the hearts of the lost by the HS we would not see salvation occur,
therefore no church planting and ultimately no CPM. For those of you who would
look at things like T4T, MAWL and others as a “model” and therefore dislike it I
am sorry that you feel that way. I also know that as you will as I did when you
attempt to use the material will look at it and wonder how will this simple
thing work. But, I can tell you that your being on your knees, your trust in God
and the HS as he does his thing will do wonders with your effort and this small
tool.

Granted I know that it does not work for everyone that way and we are
experiencing mixed results here in different areas of our work as a team, but I
think that Clyde Meador, Executive Vice President with the IMB has a very good
take on the subject in his article “Left side of the graph”. I know that in our
area of work the HS used many years of folks on the “left side” to get us to a
point that we got to see huge numbers of people saved. Granted it is never going
to be easy and the groups and churches that are started are difficult to manage
and growth is messy, but it is worth the effort. The CPM model that we are
utilizing that includes T4T is showing huge results out to past the 5th
generation of churches.My word to you is don’t take away what the HS can do with
your effort, a small little tool and a willing heart. There is a lot that goes
into the effort part that I don’t have room for here, but would be more then
willing to go into some of it later if folks are interested? Peace and grace my
brothers and sisters.

Press on,Uncle

Encouraging reports from East Asia

Testimonies of Faith

You Shall Be My Witnesses
We had taught Nick when he was a freshman but had not been able to keep closely in touch. Several of his classmates had become Christians, but we did not have much contact with Nick. Right before Christmas his senior year, his classmate Paul led him to the Lord. Nick is from a village of our people group near another town. The next weekend, Christmas weekend, very excited, he decided to go there to contact and teach some songs to a few believers there. Last summer he helped in leading his father to believe, and his zeal for the Lord has remained strong. This year Nick is teaching in junior high in another town not too far away and has already led three of his students to the Lord and started a small group with them. He has visited with them in their home villages and witnessed to their families! We are thankful for Nick's life and witness and pray for his continued dedication and also security because he could lose his job and even be jailed for spreading the Gospel!

From College to Village
Li's father, mother and little brother had just accepted the Lord through a team we had connected with them in their hometown. We wanted to follow up on them and went with Li to visit there. After we arrived, Li's grandfather, grandmother, and 14-year-old sister also came to eat lunch. After eating lunch together, M asked them if they also had an interest in Jesus. When M shared the Gospel with them and answered the questions they had, they all believed and accepted Jesus! M asked Li to share in the local language everything he had shared in the local language in order to make sure they really understood and also let her develop her skills in sharing the Gospel in her local dialect. Later the family was baptized and now worships and studies the Bible together as a small church. In addition, the grandparents have been sharing and have starte a new group at their own house!

Living the Book of Acts
Things continue to go well in the places we are working. It is in many ways like living out some of the book of Acts. Our work is a great example of how the Good News spreads among people who have never heard. It is through those natural relationships. The first to hear and believe start taking the message to family members. They then begin to tell friends and that usually includes other villages because their friendships like all people in the world are many and widespread. Recently we went to visit our friends and a coal supplier from another town and good friend of (our friend) Mr. Wang was there to meet us and talk about the Good News. It was clear to us that Wang had already been sharing with this friend of his and after about 30 minutes of going through the story this man, he followed Mr. Wang�s example and asked Him for salvation. While the conversation was going on, another family member was around, occasionally listening while seemingly keeping himself occupied. We ask him if he was also interested and to our delight the one just saved, shared the Good News with this other man and he too accepted. The new brother had already done something that most believers never take time to do; lead another person to the throne of grace.

Looking for a New Friend
As I stood in my garage trying to kick start my dryer last week a petite young woman I'd never met before pulled up on her scooter. Her first words to me were, "I want to study Bible." I shared my testimony, sent her home to invite her friends, and stood there speechless. Not ten minutes before she arrived I'd asked God for a new friend, someone who does not yet know him but is willing to gather friends to hear about Jesus. Last night this young woman and one of her friends lingered as everyone left after our first class. They had heard the first part of God's unfolding love story, testimonies of God's care and power and been given the opportunity to pray and ask God for help in any situation they were facing at the moment. On the verge of tears my new friend spoke, "I try to be strong, but I am not. I need God. I want to tell him, but I don't know how." We stood holding hands in a small circle as these two women sobbed their hearts out to God. Before they left that night, they gave themselves to Him.

PREACHABLES FROM CHINA

Good reports from China (from the IMB 'East Asia Report')

CHINA. In a remote area of China, a Christian worker encountered a 47-year old Chinese man who asked him why he had come. When the worker replied that he was just hiking in the area, the man replied with certainty, "No, you came to see me." They went inside one of the homes and the Christian shared the story of salvation. The Chinese man accepted Christ immediately. He said that he had prayed several years earlier that God would send someone to tell him how to relate to the True God and when he saw the hiker, he knew that his prayer had been answered. Since then, the new believer has shared the gospel with scores of others who were also waiting to hear, and now believe in the Son.
EAST ASIA. Having been ousted from a spiritually receptive area of China because of his fervency in witness, the Christian worker was finding it hard to share Christ. Although he was now in a location where he could share freely, he assumed that the hearts of the people were closed to the gospel. As he prayed, he heard God say, "I haven't changed. You have." Just then, he heard the sounds of the community garbage truck and headed out to meet it. Out on the street, he ran into a large group of neighbors who were also tossing their garbage into the passing truck. He invited them into his home. Quite a few accepted his invitation, and in his home that night, a family of four accepted Christ.

CHINA. They were expecting 100 persons at the Christmas party, but 200 showed up. The guests listened intently as the gospel was shared. Then an invitation was given. As the speaker asked if any of them wanted to receive Christ into their hearts, they replied almost en masse, "We are willing!"

CHINA. They call him a super spreader because of his effectiveness in reaching others for Christ. He accepted Christ in late 2005 and one year later had already trained 25 others to start churches. By early 2007, he had more than 50 trainers under his tutelage. All of them were committed to starting churches that would catalyze other church starts. He knew the risks, but for the sake of the Kingdom, he continued to share boldly. When he was incarcerated for a season, the gospel seeds that he had sown continued to take root and flourish.

REPORT ON CHURCHES IN CHINA

For those who may think that there is no religious persecution in China. Here is a report on some recent actions by the Chinese government towards churches, from a friend who works in China

The pressures and privileges of working with Christian brothers and sisters in
China are many. Sometimes, things go smoothly and somtimes the situation
makes things a bit more "challenging." I send the following tidbits of
information to allow you to pray with focus. Acts 1:8 continues to
establish and retain a burden for the Lost! God Bless you as you
serve. A China worker

House Church Worship Service Raided in Anhui (January 26, 2007, China Aid Association)
House Church Worship Service Raided in Anhui Province; Inner Mongolia Christians Take Legal Measures to Protect Freedom; 9 Arrested Church Leaders in Henan Released after 15 Days of Detention. CAA has learned local police raided a house church worship service in Zhangchong Township, Jinzhai County, Anhui province on January 24, 2007. Three Christians were taken to the police station and released after interrogation. According to eyewitnesses, the raid happened around 10:00 AM when some Christians were having their worship service. Policemen from the County Public Security Bureau (PSB), local police station, county criminal police squad, and officers from the county Religious Affair Administrative Bureau broke into the house. They took pictures of every Christian in the room and asked for their names and identities. The police then released most of the Christians and took three church leaders to the police station for interrogation. The police confiscated Bibles, hymn books, acoustic equipment, a blackboard, and the tither box without any legal procedure. The police warned the three church leaders that they are not allowed to gather without the registration to the government.

9 Arrested House Church Leaders in Henan Released after 15 Days of Detention. (January 26, 2007, China Aid Association)
China Aid Association has also learned that nine house church leaders arrested on January 6, 2007 in a raid by police in Yongfeng Township, Xiuwu County, Henan province were released on January 20, 2007, after 15 days of detention. The detained Christians were not given any legal certificate of their arrest, detention, or release.

Vice Premier Calls for Approved Religious Administration (July 16, 2007, People’s Daily)
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu called for improved administration of religious work in order to achieve harmony among people of different religious beliefs. Religious work was facing new challenges as the country stepped into a crucial stage of reform and development, Hui said at a national conference on religious work held in southwest China's Kunming City, Yunnan Province, from Monday to Tuesday. The administration of religious work must be based on stable social and economic development, and correct understanding of world religions and their influence on Chinese religions, he said. "We must properly deal with religious affairs and let religions play a positive role in building a harmonious society," said Hui. The Party's policy on the freedom of religious beliefs must be implemented correctly, ensuring political cooperation with religious groups and promoting the Party among religious adherents.

Christian Service Raided in Henan Province (January 15, 2007, christiannewswire.com)
China Aid Association has learned that on January 6, 2007 the local police from Yongfeng township police station in Xiuwu county, Henan province, raided a Christian gathering held in Chencun village. 11 Christians were taken to the police station; only 2 of them were released the next day. According to the eyewitness, the event happened at 4 PM January 6, 2007, when 14 Christians gathered in a house in Chencun village. The police broke into and proclaimed the gathering a cultic activity and illegal gathering. 11 Christians were brought to Huifeng township police station for interrogation. The police released 2 Christians the next day, the rest are still in detention.

Three Church Leaders Arrested in China, Montoring Group Says (January 3, 2007, AP)
The police arrested three Christian church leaders in a raid on a gathering at a private home in northeastern China, a U.S.-based monitoring group reported Wednesday. About 30 police officers and officials from the local government's Religious Affairs Bureau took part in the raid Dec. 29 on the home in Duolun, in Inner Mongolia, 250 kilometers, or 155 miles, north of Beijing, the China Aid Association reported. The officials declared the service an "illegal gathering," the association said, a reflection of China's policy of permitting worship only in official churches whose clergy and activities are tightly controlled by the Communist government. Detained were Liu Guanghua, 42, Zhi Huiping, 41, and Zhi Ruiping, 35, the association said. It said the three women were being held at the Duolun County Detention Center. The association said the three women were sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention, a measure used against people deemed to have committed offenses but who are not legally recognized as criminals. he association said the service had been part of post-Christmas celebrations, but didn't say how many people were in attendance.

East Asia Update

UPDATE ON CHINA

Balancing Act
China watchers will tell you that anything that is said about China is true. The nation is so vast, her history so rich, and her populous so enormous that somewhere in China, anything is true! China is an ancient culture and a modern country. China is exceedingly progressive, but still harbors elements of extreme suppression. China has citizens of great wealth and many who are greatly impoverished. It's all true!


Acrobat
China can be compared to one of its gifted acrobats who can balance spinning objects on his forehead while contorting his body into extremely unlikely poses. Just when the observer thinks the performance cannot possibly be more intricate, then the acrobat flips backward or forward into another improbable position. Consider China's recent shooting down of its own satellite, its long silence afterwards, and finally, its denial that the action was related to an outer space arms race.

High Wire Artist
China is also like a high wire artist, walking a tight rope strung between its ancient past and its modern realities. Witness the ongoing debate by officials of Beijing's historic Forbidden City over whether the Starbucks shop located within its walls should be shut down. Observe the 80-year old women whose feet were cruelly bound in infancy hobbling along in the very country that will welcome world class runners of both genders to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Read of the 700 ancient tombs that were recently unearthed on present-day construction sites by those entrusted with erecting modern state-of-the-art Olympic venues.

Weight Lifter
China also bears similarities to a weight lifter. Already impacting the world's economy and influencing international politics, China is increasingly being referred to as the world's next super power. As it hoists heavy agendas front and center on the world stage, its muscle-flexing presses and lifts hold the rapt attention of much of the world.

Tipping the Scales
Hanging in the balance of China's intricacies is her most precious resource: her 1.3 billion people. With the rapid church growth in recent years, it is estimated that as many as 120 million may now be Christian. But that still leaves more than one billion who don't know Christ. With all of the incredible progress being experienced in China, salvation of her people remains her greatest need. Please join us in tipping the scales as we seek to reach China for Christ.

Praying for China
Pray that every man, woman, and child in China will have opportunity to hear of the Savior's love.
Pray that all who share Christ in China will do so in bold and effective ways.
Pray that many millions of new Chinese believers will enter the Kingdom this year.
Pray that Chinese leaders and influencers can be impacted by the gospel.
Go to: http://www.peopleofchina.net/to find out more about how to pray for China.

Quote From A Front Line Worker

"We are thankful to be a part of the harvest here. Another month has passed and
the Good News continues to spread. Recent follow-up activities in two areas have
been very fruitful. We have seen more people come to faith in both places. The
most exciting thing that we are seeing is simple child-like obedience to go and
tell others. It is neat to see their relationships come into the picture. These
areas are full of lost people. Family, friends, fellow villagers, and in reality
everyone they know is lost. Their testimony and sharing of the Good News is very
effective. The resources are indeed in the harvest. For the great things He is
doing we are ever giving thanks"

Good news from Ecuador and Guy Muse

The rest of the story -- some of our "unsung heroes"
I'd like to pick up on something I wrote in my previous post below about our very first group that we trained in church planting in response to the ten2b virus. Towards the end of the article I state...
To make a long story short, within eight weeks that unpromising group of believers had begun SIX NEW WORKS!!! Today seven years later, four of those still are active NT churches!I thought it might be interesting to share a bit about the "rest of the story" of these four unknown heroes of the faith who are out there making an impact on the lostness of their communities.

MANUELA. Is an older single mother who has a great pastoral heart. She never quite grasped the house church methods we taught, but did understand the part about evangelizing the lost around her community. Almost from the beginning she set out winning her lost neighbors to Christ. Everyday after work she hurries home, cooks supper for her kids and then rushes across the street to where the church she planted seven years ago continues to meet. The church meets 7 days/week and she never misses. Over the years Manuela carefully saved every extra dime she could and slowly began to remodel and expand the tiny building where they were meeting to be able to accomodate more people. With her own hands she has personally laid a cement foundation and built the walls and roof to, what is today, a modest temple for the growing group of believers she helps to shepherd.

CARLOS AND MARIA. Carlos was the man who showed up for the training in the previous post whose home burned to the ground leaving him, Maria and their children with nothing more than the clothes on their back. He slowly began going around the neighborhood collecting a board here and there, borrowing a sack of cement, receiving donations from neighbors, and with the help of the Lord rebuilt a semblance of a house for his family. From the very beginning both Carlos and Maria decided that they would use the ground floor for the church to gather. They themselves occupy the floor above the church for their personal use. Over the years this church meeting in their home has baptized dozens of people. They too meet seven days a week and are big on prayer, rising every morning around 4am to pray to the Lord. Recently they noticed a starving young boy wandering around their neighborhood. Carlos and Maria have never been able to find the child's parents (who apparently abandoned him to the streets) and have since taken him in as their own child. Yet another mouth to feed, and yet as they say, "The Lord always provides..."MARIANA. Mariana is another single mother advanced in years whose husband left her many years ago when he gave her the ultimatum of choosing between himself or the God she served. Mariana chose the Lord and her husband left never to come back. Every weekend Mariana travels out on a bus to Kilometer 16 outside of the city where she shepherds a small group of baptized believers won to the Lord through her witness. She has been faithfully going now every weekend for nearly seven years and considers it her calling. Mariana does not have a very high education but has managed to work her way through to the second level of the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) program we offer our servant leaders.

VICENTE. Vicente's wife left him several years ago as an unstable drug addict. Vicente has done everything in his power to win his wife back, but to no avail. He continues to try to work full time, raise his children, and function as a missionary out in the neighboring provinces round Guayaquil. When Vicente came to us as a 2-month old believer he lied about the amount of time he had known the Lord, thinking we would not allow him in the training if we knew how young he was in the Lord! As he received the training, Vicente went out and promptly started meeting on the street with a group of prostitutes. He would bring them food and then sit out on the sidewalk with them and share with these ladies and their families how much God loved them. In another group he worked with, out in a dangerous part of the city, they would meet openly out on the street. One time one of my fellow IMB missionaries went to visit one of their "street services. " Suddenly a man began shooting a pistol at another person right near where they were meeting. Vicente calmly got up, went over to the guy shooting, and invited him to the sidewalk Bible study. My missionary colleague was quite upset and afraid to say the least, but not Vicente! Over the years Vicente has been used by the Lord to open many new works. For a two-year period he left all behind and felt called of God to go into the countryside to plant churches amongst the rural provincial people. There he started several works and with the help of his brother Felipe, still continue to this day to stay in contact with the believers there. Vicente feels a strong call to serve as a missionary. Right now he is a tent-making missionary supporting himself and his children while continuing to try and open works out in the provinces.Would you pause right now and pray for Manuela, Carlos and Maria, Mariana, and Vicente? All these live very difficult lives and yet are joyfully serving the Lord where He has planted them. Who knows, maybe God is calling YOU to plant a church in your community as well. If they can do it, why can't you?

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.

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.

News from South America

The following are excerpts from. a prayer letter which is sent out regularly by Sarah Craft.

PRAYING ‘ROUND THE SAM REGION

February, 2007

Church Planting Movements among all peoples; the gospel to every person; every believer a full participant in the Great Commission.

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, has approximately 1.5 million people, with only 2% of the population evangelized. There is a European flavor to the lifestyle, educational system, worldview and architectural designs in Montevideo. The great need for Christ in Montevideo is very evident since the majority of the 500,000 spiritists in Uruguay live in Montevideo. The Uruguayan Urban Team is focused on reaching the coastal areas of Montevideo, with less than one half of one percent of the people evangelized. They are using the Gospel Advancement Project (GAP) which mobilizes volunteers to do prayer walks and Scripture distribution that helps to make contacts for new simple churches. The team asks prayer for the Sheaffers who work with the GAP ministry, and all the volunteers who will be working there. Pray for the selection, training and implementation for national strategy coordinators, especially among the professional classes. Pray that in 2007 2nd and 3rd generation simple churches/ cell groups will begin to multiply with Uruguayan initiative. Also pray that new believers will be willing to open their homes for churches or cell groups.

VENEZUELA: TeamOriente shares that in eastern Venezuela God has raised up an exceptional servant, D. Although there are no other believers in her family, D remains faithfully obedient to the Lord and to His call. She is dedicated, focused, efficient, and caring. A year ago she was named minister of missions by her church; in this capacity she has the opportunity to direct the church planting efforts of the church. Currently five new congregations are in formation. D is an encourager to the workers, makes sure they receive the training and resources which they need, and is careful to maintain doctrine and principles in new starts. Although not in the best of health, and often paying for travel herself, she spends much time in outlying towns and communities where new churches are being planted. She encourages believers to participate in a diversity of mission’s opportunities. D needs our prayers as she fulfills God's call on her life. She needs wisdom, as well as emotional spiritual and physical strength, to be what God wants her to be and to accomplish the huge task that God has laid out before her. Pray also that God raise up strong leadership in the new church starts, people who genuinely love Him and are prepared to serve in the midst of difficulties and sacrifice.

BRAZIL: (Rural Brazilians of Central & SE Brazil)Please pray for Monty and Janis Thompson as they do multiplication and evangelistic outreach training at Betel Baptist Church in Pouso Alegre and First Baptist Church in Santa Rita do Sapucaí. These two churches have agreed to start a work in Cachoeira de Minas, a city of about 15,000 lying 20 miles from the Betel church and 15 miles from the Santa Rita church. We will also be bringing in a volunteer team from Valley Baptist Church in Searcy, Arkansas in July to partner in this outreach project in Cachoeira de Minas.

ECUADOR: Chinese Team in Ecuador: Praise God that Siu-Mui Chang can find her tranquility on the balcony of her apartment regardless of the chaotic traffic in her neighborhood or her hectic routine. She can just watch the birds gliding in the water, hear them chattering in the trees and watch the iguana creeping on the pebbles. She gives praise for the ministry of this year. There are 12 new believers that have accepted Christ and 11 of them were baptized. Pray that their faith will grow strong by drilling deep into the Word. Pray for new strength and wisdom for the coming year to complete the task that God lays upon her.

BOLIVIA: SOUTH BOLIVIAN QUECHUA (KETCH-yoo-wah). Pray for missionaries among the highland Quechua, Floyd and Sylvia Wingo, as they continue to seek for “men and women of peace” (Luke 10:6)--those Quechua men and women with hearts that God has prepared to come to salvation and to carry on His work among their people. Pray for language acquisition and cultural understanding for the Wingos. Satan continues to have many strongholds physically and spiritually in this highland region. Often the Wingos encounter someone who appears to be willing to learn and then to teach, interferences arise to keep that person from actively pursuing their training with the Wingos. Pray for them to find dedicated Quechua men and women who will be able to have the time for the discipling and training needed to carry on the work.

News from Vermont

The newsletter below is from Terry Dorsett, the Director of Missions for Vermont (Green Mountain Baptist Association). I have also posted a picture of him and his family. Pray for them.

Dear Vermont Prayer Partners,

It is hard to believe that more than 13 years have passed since the Lord led my family to relocate to Vermont as missionaries. Each winter I look back at that first winter and wonder how we survived in that drafty old parsonage in the small village of Washington. But somehow the Lord gave us strength to endure. Now it is difficult to imagine doing ministry in a setting other than our beloved rural Vermont. There are times when the work is slow and times when discouragement sets it. But most of the time our hearts are overflowing with an enthusiasm fueled by the Holy Spirit as He does His work across our state.

I recently returned from a two week class at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in San Francisco, California. It was the third of five such classes I am taking as part of my Doctor of Ministry studies. This particular class focused on Spiritual Formation. The highlight of the week was a day spent in silence and solitude on top of a mountain overlooking the ocean. To be alone with God is a wonderful thing, and even more so when it is in an environment that reminds you of the Creator who has all things under His control.

Yesterday I preached at one of our GMBA churches. When I arrived the praise team was practicing before the service. A man who had visited the Washington church some years ago but had never made a move toward the Lord was in the praise team! I got to talk to him after the service and he told me in the past few weeks he’d been born again and that his life had been forever changed. Wow, that’s why I’m in Vermont!

I will be spending a week in Texas in February and a week in Indiana in March. As I travel and share the story of what God is doing in Vermont, I pray that the Holy Spirit will burden many others across our nation to join God in His work in Vermont. As we pray, give and become personally involved, we will see Vermont transformed by the power of God into what I believe will one day be the “Bible belt” of New England. We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.
Terry Dorsett

Rev. Terry W. Dorsett, Director
Green Mountain Baptist Association

News from or about China

The following are excerpts from "Preachables" distributed by East Asia Update (courtesy IMB):

Quotes From Frontlines Workers

Simply Obedient
"There is one girl I would like to tell you about. This young lady is precious, but not exceptional. She may never win any awards. Yet this month, this young lady did something amazing -- she obeyed. She felt called to make a list of her friends and family that could stand to hear some good news. Then she simply started telling them. She didn't worry about what they would think of her. She didn't worry about the consequences. Within a week or two, she had shared with seven close friends and all of her immediate family. Already two have accepted and others are responding. She simply obeyed."

We Go On
"We rejoice in this victory. The day was long. The battle was real. We are tired tonight for sure, very tired, but that is okay. This is life on the front line. So many don't know Father and the task is so big! One at a time, one at a time, we go on. Exhausted, but energized!" (Written by workers who had just led others to salvation.)

Bend Your Knees
Please pray that recent bombings in Thailand will not interrupt year-round literature distribution to Chinese tourists vacationing in Southeast Asia. Pray that Chinese tourists will continue to pour into Thailand over the Chinese New Year's holiday and that Southern Cross volunteers will remain faithful to the task of placing lifesaving materials in their hands.
Macau was recently heralded by at least one major U.S. network as the new gambling capital of the world. Yet many Mainland Chinese tourists who traveled there to gamble are confronted with a much better opportunity. Southern Cross volunteers distributed Bibles and other evangelistic materials to 20,000 Mainland visitors last year, and even led some of the recipients to faith in Christ right then and there. Pray for ongoing evangelistic efforts in Macau.

Holiday Focus

Reports From Christmas in China
Here are just a few of the replies from Christmas volunteers who were asked about their most meaningful experience:
• Sharing the gospel with 600 students.
• Traveling to an orphanage to bring Christmas to them.
• Visiting a house church and hearing testimonies of the believers there.
• Sharing Christ with a Chinese lady on a bus.
• Talking to a new believer about how to read the Bible.
• Seeing people accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.
• Sharing Christ with three nonbelievers outside of our hotel.
• Worshipping in English and Chinese.
• Experiencing the love and generosity of the Chinese people.
Go to http://easia.imb.org/ for a more complete report.

Chinese New Year

For Chinese children, the most exciting part of the New Year festivities is receiving traditional "hong baos" (red envelopes) full of cash, symbolizing prosperity in the new year.

Prayers For Chinese New Year
Pray for Chinese believers as they gather with their families to celebrate the Lunar New Year that will fall on February 18 this year. Many millions of Chinese people will make long journeys to return to their home city or village for the all important New Year's Eve feast. Pray that all who call Him Lord will lovingly share Christ with their families and friends over the holiday and that many Chinese people will accept Christ.

Opportunities For the New Year
During the first month of 2007, why not make a New Year's resolution to spend some time sharing Christ in China? Choose from opportunities below or other listings at: http://easia.imb.org/
• Creative arts teams, prayer walking teams, and leader familiarization teams are needed throughout the year to prepare for the time when the torch is lit in Beijing on August 8, 2008. Go to: http://www.waytotheworld.com/ for information on Olympic projects.
• Teaching English in China can allow you to learn much about the Chinese people and culture as you have opportunity to share the One who is dearest to you. Engaging China summer teaching opportunities are listed at: http://easia.imb.org/involved/go/engagingchinajobs.htm
• Young and energetic college graduates are greatly needed for strategic two-year assignments at locations all over China. If you are interested in a Journeyman position, please write to: gochina@imb.org


EYE ON CHINA


Gold Pig Babies
When China ushers in the "Year of the Gold Pig" during its mid-February Lunar New Year celebration, it is expecting to also usher in a baby boom. Based on the Lunar calendar, the Year of the Pig falls every 12 years. But it only coincides with the Gold Year, based on the five elements of nature philosophy, only once every 60 years. According to superstition, all babies born during the Year of the Gold Pig will be blessed with good fortune.






Cars & Coughs
As Beijing prepares for the 2008 Olympics amidst its ongoing struggles with chronic traffic congestion and choking air pollution, officials are trying to persuade its residents to use public transportation by introducing new bus and subway routes. Beijing has 13 million residents and 2.85 million vehicles

The Church in Your House (In Ecuador)

(The following was copied from Guy Muse's "The M Blog"
I found it worth posting here.)

The church in your house

Our "simple" church planting here in Guayaquil is known as "La Iglesia En Tu Casa" (LIETC)--The church in your house.We have identified at least 13 guiding values that the Lord has seemingly been pleased to bless over the past 6+ years of church planting.

1.) LIETC is built upon a foundation of prayer, which is the most important work in which we are engaged. (Luke 10:2)

2.) LIETC is built upon the idea of "mobilizing the laity." The laity is empowered to go and do tasks traditionally assigned only to trained professional clergy. (Eph.4:11-12, 1 Pet.2:9-10)

3.) LIETC is built upon the concept of taking the church to where the people are, rather than bringing the people to the church. (Matt.28:18-20, Luke 10:3)

4.) LIETC crosses denominational lines and works with Great Commission Christians to plant New Testament churches. (Eph.4:4-6)

5.) LIETC depends on God to provide the workers, free of recruitment or manipulation. Prayer is the key. (Luke 10:2)

6.) LIETC is built upon the understanding that women are likewise called to plant churches. (Matthew 28:18-20)

7.) LIETC is built upon the understanding that it is Christ's responsibility to build His church, not ours (Mt. 16:18). Our task is the Great Commission--to make disciples; his to build His Church.

8.) LIETC is built upon an understanding that the missionary task is primarily one of praying, modeling, teaching, training, encouraging and mentoring. (Eph.4:11-12)

9.) LIETC is built upon the strategic use of locally available and reproducible communication media. We don't use or model anything that can't be done/reproduced locally by the people we work with.

10.) LIETC is built upon the idea of church being more a "family gathering" held in a home setting, and less a "traditional church service." (1 Cor. 12-14, 14:26, Book of Acts)

11.) LIETC is built on the twin pillars of prayer and lifestyle evangelism. There is a continuous emphasis on these two areas.

12.) LIETC is built upon the understanding that multiplication of disciples is the focus of all we do. Simply adding to existing works will not get the job done. (Matthew-Luke, the "parables of the kingdom.")

13.) LIETC belongs to God, and He can do as He pleases. Change in the way things are done is an on-going process as God continues to open our eyes to his ways of building the Kingdom.

More updates on China

From "Preachables" (Heart4China)

CHINA. The illiterate men were so excited that they were finding it hard to sleep at night. Late into the night voices could be heard calling out, "Hey! Anyone else awake? Let's practice telling the stories some more." The participants in a two-week long Bible storying training had come to faith in Christ after a Christian visited their village about four years ago. Now, after years of waiting, they were finally hearing all of the Bible stories that they had never been able to read. During daylight hours, their spiritual hunger challenged the trainers to impart to them by word of mouth the spiritual food that many Christian readers take for granted. The training is now over and they have returned to their villages to tell the stories to other non-readers, many of whom have not yet heard of Christ.

CHINA. A small group of friends and family gathered around a banquet table to celebrate the upcoming marriage ceremony of two new believers. The parents of both the bride and the groom had traveled from far away in China to attend the wedding. Although both sets of parents had heard of their children's acceptance of Christ, none of the four had yet decided to follow Jesus. Now they found themselves amazed by the love shown by Christians who had arranged all details of the wedding. The father of the bride stood to express his gratitude to the group. "I have never seen such love displayed," he said. "This could only come from one source." Pointing to the sky, he said, "God." The young couple, who had been praying for months that their wedding would be a testimony of God's love, said a quiet "amen" and looked forward to the day when the speaker would have a personal relationship with their loving God.

CHINA. They had been trying to make contact with a new believer for several months, but she was not responding to their e-mails or calls. Then as they were attempting to text message another new believer, they hit the wrong button and sent it to their elusive friend. To their surprise, she responded to the message that was not intended for her! Communication was restored and she began meeting with them for Bible study. Soon after that, she was baptized. She now tells people that if her friends hadn't hit the wrong button that day, she might still be running from the Lord.

CHINA. As a fourth grader, she had to write a report on a city in China. Rather than choose a famous China city, she chose a little known city in southern China. As she researched the city and even learned to pronounce the city name in Chinese, she grew to love the city. Her report was completed 13 years ago, but she never forgot the city. When she applied to participate in Christmas in China* last fall, she prayed that God would take her to that very city. He did just that. Now her Christmas journey is complete and she has returned to the U.S. with a commitment to return for an extended time of ministry to the city that God laid on her heart when she was a child.

(*An annual student project in China.)

China Updates

From a China worker;
"Well, they finally got it!" This was the statement from a co-worker whom I heard from this morning regarding a group of people that he'd been working with for a while trying to get them to understand the ideas behind a "Church Planting Movement" as a goal. He said that, while visiting a group of trainees in a large city, he finally heard the leader of the group confess that he'd been slow to pick up the greater dream of reaching a larger target group with the gospel. Yet, he told my friend, "I think I finally understand that it may be slow at times but the growth will come as multiple lay leaders pick up the responsibilities of being church." At this point, the leader shared that they'd had over 1000 baptisms during this year with the beginning of 80 new house churches. The greatest praise is that neither my co-worker, nor the local brother, are satisfied now and want to really multiple trainers and churches next year! With a burden for reaching the masses, the "business as usual approach" to outreach and church growth must be challenged by us all.

News from Vermont

The following is from Terry Dorsett, Director of Missions for Green Mountain Baptist Association, Vermont. Rejoice with Terry, but remember to pray for him. The GMBC represents Vermont in the New England Baptist Convention. More detailed information regarding the work in Vermont can be found on their website. http://www.vermontbaptist.org/about/index.shtml

"Sometimes ministry is like a roller coaster ride, especially in a mission setting. The past two weeks have definitely been like a roller coaster with its ups and downs.



Many powerful things have happening in the past two weeks that are clearly “God” events. Recently I was preaching in one of the new missions and a lady came up to see me at the end of the church service. She is not yet a believer and her family has some serious issues (one of her sons is in jail). She talked about how much the church has meant to her during this difficult time and said she felt like the “belonged.” Since then her husband (who is also not yet a believer) has said that his prayer for 2007 is that his entire family would be saved during this year. Now if that doesn’t get you shouting, I don’t know what will!



In another situation a faithful Christian lady who has been praying for her non-believing husband to come to church and be saved has seen him come three times in the last month. I just happen to see her last week during the middle of the week and she said he was touched by the sermon last Sunday. Something’s going on spiritual, pray for his soon salvation.



Then there is the prayer meeting that meets in my home each Wednesday. As you may recall, we started a church at my kitchen table just over two years ago. We quickly outgrew the kitchen and started renting a conference room on a nearby motel. But we have continued to hold the mid-week Bible study and prayer meeting at our home, since the crowd for that is usually only 10-15. But in recent weeks it has begun to surge forward in attendance, and last Wednesday 39 (yes, that’s thirty nine!!!!) people showed up, including two lost adults and half a dozen lost teens. What is God doing in Vermont ? It sounds like revival to me!!!!! Pray for this group to be able to find a building soon, they have been raising money and looking for a building but so far have not found one they can afford. But by faith we believe that 2007 is the year they will find a place and will be able to reach even more people with the Gospel.



But as you know, when God works, Satan also works. For the Devil can’t sand for God’s people to be in revival. Last week I got one phone call after another from pastors and elders across the association sharing with me deep pain and difficulty that they were experiencing. We now have four churches and pastors going through some serious stuff. I am said to say that one of them resigned this past Sunday and two others are very close. Pray for God’s wisdom to settle upon them and that they would follow the Spirit’s leading and not their own emotions. Pray for Satan to be bound and all his demons to be cast forth from Vermont so that God’s Spirit may roam our mountains and valleys with complete freedom. Pray for a fresh anointing from on high for each pastor and elder in our association who will break the Word of Life this week to hungry hearts and thirsty souls.

FACES OF THE WORLD (IMB video)

Quotes from the Frontlines

(The following is from East Asia Update)

Quotes From Frontlines Workers

Immanuel. God With Us
Earlier this month, a friend and I were eating dinner at the home of our local "parents" when the discussion turned to Christmas and how we celebrate this holiday. I briefly explained how Jesus came to walk among us, to die and to live again so that we may have access to the Father by his blood. My local "mom" then said, "Before you came here I thought God was far away, but now I know that He is near." These are some of the sweetest words I've heard since being here. And recently I've found myself loving and delighting in this name. Immanuel. God is with us.

Somebody Loves Me
It was so hard to wait. Tim knew something special was happening, even though he didn't understand it all. Everyone was receiving a Christmas gift. It was simple: a paper and pencils, a toy, some candy. Tim had never received a Christmas gift before. As Tim sat waiting for his gift, he heard a special message. "We can celebrate and give because a baby was born. This baby was born because of love for us. He is Jesus, the reason for Christmas." As Tim clutched his gift during the rest of the day, he thought, "A gift for me! Someone loves me!? How can this be? I am no one. I have no money. My family is poor. But somebody loves me. Jesus loves me."

A Name Above All Names
As I ordered my fast food meal from a Chinese man with "Paper" written on his nametag, I reflected on some of the interesting western names that Chinese friends have chosen for themselves. Recently I talked with "Godspeed" and "Melon" at an English-language gathering that was previously attended by "Water" and "Shine". Then there was the time that I visited a summer English class and met two students who were both named "Computer". To simplify things, they had agreed to call themselves "Computer I" and "Computer II" for the duration of the course. Still waiting on my food order, I chuckled quietly to myself and prayed that whatever western name my Chinese friends have chosen, someday they will choose to be called by the name above all names as they receive Christ into their hearts.

Christmas Prayers
Please take some time this Christmas season to intercede for the 1 billion lost people in China. Pray that:
• Many new believers will result from Christmas Eve worship services and outreach activities held in churches all throughout China.
• God will empower volunteer teams as they use drama, music, parties, and one-on-one sharing to tell about the coming of the Savior.
• Christian workers will effectively share Christ in Christmas gatherings in schools, churches, parks, factories, and their homes.
Every Chinese believer will take advantage of special opportunities to share Christ this season

News From China

(From "Preachables" by heart4china@pobox.com)

CHINA. The young Chinese man discovered a gift on his doorstep one morning last December. He didn’t really know what Christmas was about, but he knew about the tradition of Christmas gift giving. “Who would give me a Christmas gift?” he wondered. The first item that he pulled from the gift bag was a Jesus film. He looked at the picture on the cover and he read the name “Jesus”. “This says Jesus,” he said. “Jesus gave me a Christmas gift," he reasoned. "It’s a miracle.” He watched the movie, he read the items that were in the packet, and he accepted Christ. It was indeed a miracle.

CHINA. A strategist seeking to reach a megacity for Christ was telling a Chinese lady about the meaning of Christmas last year when she said, “Did you know that I am a communist?” He replied that he didn't know, and she added that her husband was a highly placed party official. The Christian was about to become alarmed about sharing the gospel so openly when the lady stated that a Christian family member had shared the gospel with her previously and since then, she had been praying that God would give her a sign that He was willing to accept her as His child. When the conversation turned to Christmas, she knew that God had answered her prayer. She prayed on the spot to receive Christ into her heart.

CHINA. As they shared Christ with two Chinese students visiting in their home one evening shortly before Christmas last year, the Christian workers unthinkingly mentioned that they had hoped to use a brightly lit Christmas tree to illustrate that Jesus is the light of the world, but had been unable to find one. The students listened with interest, and left late that night, agreeing to meet them the next day. On the next day, the students arrived carrying a Christmas tree so tall that it towered over them. They had brought lights and other decorations as well. The hosts were deeply humbled to realize that the students had probably spent most of their monthly allowance on the tree and trimmings. That evening they all decorated the tree together. On Christmas Day the two students accepted Christ

Praise from the Pacific Rim

Greetings in the Name of the One who came as a Gift to the World,

It is with a very grateful heart that we write this note to you. For years each of you has directly impacted our lives and ministry. How have you done this? You have prayed for us, and we appreciate your continued intercession on our behalf. You have given sacrificially to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. By giving, you provide us a place to live on the least evangelized area in the world right in the midst of millions of people who have never heard the Gospel. You provide us with transportation that allows us to minister in some of the most remote areas of the world. You provide us with medical care that is needed when we suffer from tropical illnesses of which you may have never heard. You provide us with a salary that meets all of our physical needs. God, through your ministry of giving, is extending His Kingdom in this place and this is truly a time for celebration of the birth of His Son and all that is being accomplished in His Name and for His Glory!

As grateful as our hearts are, they also remain heavily burdened for the people of this area. There are over 20 million people here who have never heard of the love of Jesus Christ. In our area, there are 1million people, with only a handful of missionaries ministering among them. What is it going to take so that all peoples may know Him? In a word: Cooperation. The Southern Baptist Convention was founded in 1845 to create cooperation among Baptists so that the Word of Life might be spread to "idolatrous lands". This principle of cooperation is a key strength in the sending and support of the more than 5100 SBC International Missionaries currently serving on the field. We also note that the Apostle Paul sought to encourage financial cooperation among the early Christians as proof of their love for each other (2 Cor. 8:24) and proof of their ministry to each other (2 Cor. 9:13). Let me encourage you to prayerfully consider and reevaluate your privilege of financial cooperation in the expansion of His Kingdom.

Below is an excerpt from Oswald J. Smith's book The Challenge of Missions, where Smith, a great missions pastor, challenges us to give to missions based on 4 observations:
1.. If I refuse to give anything to missions this year, I practically cast a ballot in favor of the recall of every missionary.
2.. If I give less than heretofore, I favor the reduction of the missionary forces proportionate to my reduced contribution.
3.. If I give the same as formerly, I favor holding ground already won;but I oppose forward movement. My song is "Hold the Fort," forgetting that the Lord never intended His army to take refuge in a fort. All His soldiers are commanded to "Go!"
4.. If I increase my offering beyond former years, then I favor an advance movement in the conquest of new territory for Christ. While Oswald J. Smith wrote this in 1959, it is a great reminder today for us, as Southern Baptists, as we consider our financial cooperation in reaching the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal of $150,000,000.
M. and B. Pacific Rim

THE GOSPEL IS ALIVE IN CHINA

(From a dear Chinese brother here in the US)

On this night of thanksgiving, I wish to thank the Lord for taking my mom home.Within 36 hours of my arrival, my mom went away to be with the Lord. Her earthly journey ended at 2:17 PM on the Lord's Day, Nov.19, 2006, capping a life of 81 and half years. She gave birth to seven children, four survived to adulthood to see her off. I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to see her one last time. I held a nightlong vigil of watch and prayer on Saturday in the hospital ward. The night sky was starless.

The next day, I held her right hand and her head for her last three and a half hours. I phoned my family in New Jersey. My three children and my wife bid farewell to my mom over the phone. I saw her tears trickling down her eyes throughout the last few hours. I felt her weakening pulse on her scalp. I prayed and sang hymns to her. I wept for the imminent separation.

The next four days were spent in mourning and remembrance. Over a thousand townsfolks came to mourn. Countless fireworks were set off to celebrate her life. In the traditional Chinese way of mourning, I injected a clear Christian presence and message. I shared my faith with relatives and classmates, including a few I had not seen for 26 years since high school.I preached Christ's gospel of resurrection just before a night-long Da3Shu1 (rhythmic story-tellling while beating drums). I led the crowd of well over100 to sing I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Many were touched by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Some confided with me later that they sang with me to indicate their new-found faith. Some who had prior encounter with Christ decided to rededicate their life to the Lord. Still a few Christians rejoiced to know me as a dear brother in the Lord.

Thursday morning, a funeral procession led her wake to the burial ground,my childhood home lot, amid continuous fire-cracking on the town's street.I carried a wooden cross in my right hand throughout the hour-long procession. The cross now stands before her grave. After the casket was lowered into the newly dug grave, I gave a second message of eternal hope and glory, citing the story of Lazarus's resurrection from the gospel book of John chapter 11. I sang Amazing Grace, the Chorus of Because He Lives,in both Chinese and English. Before the message, a Christian sister told meher story of healing of intermitant nose bleeding since childhood after she accepted Christ a few years ago. She disclosed that there was an underground house church in my home town! Hallelujah! God apparently did not forget my hometown.