While reading "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan, I came across some eye popping stats and statements. I've been on missions trips to see how blessed we are in America. But man, I still don't completely realize it, neither does the rest of America. I hope what you read below will sink in and hopefully you will pass it on.
"Many North American Christians live isolated from reality- not only from the needs of the poor overseas, but even from the poor in their own cities."
Wow that is so true. So often we focus on giving money to missionaries and feeding the poor around the world, but we forget about the poor and hungry around the corner from our church. Don't get me wrong, giving to missionaries and feeding the poor around the world is very much needed. Im not saying we should do less of supporting missionaries or donating to different organizations who help feed and water the world. But I am saying we do forget about the people closest to us and the people we could so easily help right in our own backyard.
"The United States has about 5,000 Christian book and gift stores, carrying varieties of products and many secular stores also carry religious books. All this while 6,800 of the world's 13,500 languages are still without a single portion of the Bible published in their own language! In his book My Billion Bile Drea, Rochunga Pudaite says, "Eighty-five percent of all Bibles printed today are in English for the nine percent of the world who read English. Eighty percent of the world's people have never owned a Bible while Americans have an average of four in every household."
Astonishing! 85% of Bibles are in English and only 9% of the world speaks English. Think of the thousands of languages in Africa that don't have one Bible in their language, or even in the forest of South America! Thats millions and millions of people who haven't heard the Gospel or even read it because there isn't a Bible in their language!
"The United States, with its 600,000 congregations or groups is blessed with 1.5 million full-time Christian workers, or one full-time religious leader for every 182 people in the nation. What a difference this is from the rest of the world, where more than 2 billion people are still unreached with the Gospel. The unreached or "hidden peoples" have only one missionary working for every 78,000 people, and there are still 1,240 distinct cultural groups in the world without a single church among them to preach the Gospel. These are the masses for whom Christ wept and died."
My heart breaks just to read this stuff. I pray that the Lord continues to call people to reach the unreached and hidden peoples of the world.
K.P. Yohannan wrote, "From India, I always had looked to the United States as a fortress of Christianity. With the abundance of both spiritual and material things, affluence unsurpassed by any nation on earth, and a totally unfettered church, I expected to see a bold witness. God's grace obviously has been poured out on this nation and Church in a way no other people ever have experienced. Instead I found a Church in spiritual decline."
That is right on! Its sad that in a religious free nation, Christianity is actually decreasing. And thats nothing new, Christianity has been decreasing for decades. By 2030 China is suppose to be the largest Christian nation in the world. Granted they have over a billion people but they live in a country that spreading the Gospel is illegal. Yet Christianity is growing faster in China than it is in the United State.
As the American church we need to take a hard look at ourselves. How can we live more outwardly as Christians rather then inwardly? I will be thinking about praying about this fervently.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
What have we become?
The Christian church has become one of the most critical, judgmental, ungracious body of believers in the world. Which is totally opposite from what Christ taught while on earth. This has always confused me. Christ taught, love your neighbors as yourself (Mark 12:31) love one another, (John 13:34-35) and to love your enemies (Luke 6:27-36). But yet there are believers all over America who practice the complete opposite.
I was talking with a friend from Leadership College yesterday about his Dad church. They're moving their regular service time from Sunday morning to Saturday evenings. Thats a big change for a traditional Assembly of God church. They've been averaging 12 on Sunday morning. The town they live in is a tourist destination. Most people are busy working on Sunday mornings and are not able to make it to church. However, on Saturday evenings that is the time everybody in town is off so it would be a better time for them to attend church. He said that some people in the church are upset at this change. They don't want to change service times. They are comfortable where they are and don't see a need to move times to Saturday. How unloving is that? They should be doing everything they can to get unsaved people into the church. They should be making every type of change to bring the lost in. I give props to the Pastor of that church. Its hard to go against what hard headed people in your congregation want to do. That is a tough call. If the Pastor makes a decision he feels needs to be made, and it upsets, lets say 2 families in his church, you go from 12 on Sundays to 8 or 6. Another story he told me happened a couple of months ago. He had preached about inviting people to church a couple Sundays in a row and his congregation still wasn't wanting to invite. So the next Sunday, he got so fed up, he wanted to show them how easy it was to invite people to church. He said "Look at the clock, its 9am. By 10am, my wife and I will be back with someone who's never been to church before." So he and his wife got up, left everyone sitting in the sanctuary, and walked out the church doors. With in the hour they came back with a lady they had met, invited her to church and she said yes. I thought that was a great way to open they're eyes.
As Christians we've become so concerned about who attends our churches. Regular church attenders complaining because they see two homosexuals in the Sunday service, holding hands or having their arms around each other. Or Christians complaining to Pastors because people are smoking outside the church or leaving the cigarette butts on the ground. And even complaining because people don't dress right or show up on time or don't fit in our "clicks". YOU OUGHT TO BE PRAYING FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO BE AT CHURCH. The church might be the only place Homosexuals, smoker, liar, homeless and idolaters hear the Gospel. If I was a Pastor id be so happy to see cigarette butts outside my church, because that means theres people in the church today that needs to be delivered! And the only one that can do that is Jesus Christ! We've made Church into a social event. Its not! Its a place to come together, worship God, learn, and edify each other. Did I just say edify each other? Yes I did! 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
I know of another church in a metropolitan area. That has a Sunday attendance average of 15. Not reaching out, not inviting people, simply going to church to say, I went to church today. I've done my part. Someone in the church even said "I don't want anymore people to come to our church, I like it the way it is." Wrong, wrong, wrong. How can you not have a hear for the lost? Thats the Great Commission! "Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING them to observe all that I HAVE COMMANDED you." Matthew 28:19-20 We are to bring the lost in, present the Gospel, make disciples of them, and teach them what we have been taught so that they can go and make disciples themselves.
We've got to quit being such an inward focused body of believers. WE NEED TO BECOME OUTWARD FOCUSED! Bringing the lost in, and letting them know that Christ died for them! We were just like the ones we have become so quick to reject and judge. Lost, sinners, and had no hope. But because of Christ we were shown GRACE, and FORGIVEN. Its time for us to show grace and show Gods love.
I was talking with a friend from Leadership College yesterday about his Dad church. They're moving their regular service time from Sunday morning to Saturday evenings. Thats a big change for a traditional Assembly of God church. They've been averaging 12 on Sunday morning. The town they live in is a tourist destination. Most people are busy working on Sunday mornings and are not able to make it to church. However, on Saturday evenings that is the time everybody in town is off so it would be a better time for them to attend church. He said that some people in the church are upset at this change. They don't want to change service times. They are comfortable where they are and don't see a need to move times to Saturday. How unloving is that? They should be doing everything they can to get unsaved people into the church. They should be making every type of change to bring the lost in. I give props to the Pastor of that church. Its hard to go against what hard headed people in your congregation want to do. That is a tough call. If the Pastor makes a decision he feels needs to be made, and it upsets, lets say 2 families in his church, you go from 12 on Sundays to 8 or 6. Another story he told me happened a couple of months ago. He had preached about inviting people to church a couple Sundays in a row and his congregation still wasn't wanting to invite. So the next Sunday, he got so fed up, he wanted to show them how easy it was to invite people to church. He said "Look at the clock, its 9am. By 10am, my wife and I will be back with someone who's never been to church before." So he and his wife got up, left everyone sitting in the sanctuary, and walked out the church doors. With in the hour they came back with a lady they had met, invited her to church and she said yes. I thought that was a great way to open they're eyes.
As Christians we've become so concerned about who attends our churches. Regular church attenders complaining because they see two homosexuals in the Sunday service, holding hands or having their arms around each other. Or Christians complaining to Pastors because people are smoking outside the church or leaving the cigarette butts on the ground. And even complaining because people don't dress right or show up on time or don't fit in our "clicks". YOU OUGHT TO BE PRAYING FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO BE AT CHURCH. The church might be the only place Homosexuals, smoker, liar, homeless and idolaters hear the Gospel. If I was a Pastor id be so happy to see cigarette butts outside my church, because that means theres people in the church today that needs to be delivered! And the only one that can do that is Jesus Christ! We've made Church into a social event. Its not! Its a place to come together, worship God, learn, and edify each other. Did I just say edify each other? Yes I did! 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
I know of another church in a metropolitan area. That has a Sunday attendance average of 15. Not reaching out, not inviting people, simply going to church to say, I went to church today. I've done my part. Someone in the church even said "I don't want anymore people to come to our church, I like it the way it is." Wrong, wrong, wrong. How can you not have a hear for the lost? Thats the Great Commission! "Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING them to observe all that I HAVE COMMANDED you." Matthew 28:19-20 We are to bring the lost in, present the Gospel, make disciples of them, and teach them what we have been taught so that they can go and make disciples themselves.
We've got to quit being such an inward focused body of believers. WE NEED TO BECOME OUTWARD FOCUSED! Bringing the lost in, and letting them know that Christ died for them! We were just like the ones we have become so quick to reject and judge. Lost, sinners, and had no hope. But because of Christ we were shown GRACE, and FORGIVEN. Its time for us to show grace and show Gods love.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
2010 Summer Plans
Watching the World Cup every single day!!! Haha Im really stoked for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but thats not the only big thing going on this summer.
To let everyone know, who's interested that is, this summer I will be interning under Children's Pastor Brandon Diehl at Trinity Assembly of God in Baltimore Maryland. This is an exciting opportunity the I know God has blessed me with. It's been in the works for a couple months but it became official this week. Ill be serving from June 1 through August 15. Brandon and Trinity Kids are doing a lot of cool things this summer that I wanted to be involved in and learn from. In June were taking some 5th graders on a missions trip to The Freedom Center in Lakeland Florida. In July we'll be attending the Potomac District Kids Camp. Also in July we will possibly be taking 4th graders on a missions experience to Michigan. And to wrap up the busy, eventful, summer Trinity Kids will be doing a huge Vacation Bible School in August. I've never been involved in kids missions trips, never been to a kids camp other than the Oklahoma district (Oklahoma District will always be the best so Potomac shouldn't even try), and never been in a leadership role for a VBS. So I will learn a great deal of new things this summer. Also, I wanted to see what East Coast ministry was like compared to Midwest. I've lived in the Bible belt my whole life, so I wanted to live in an area of the United States that doesn't have a church on every corner.
Lastly, I met Brandon Diehl in 2008 when he and Christopher Strok were the Camp evangelist at Kids Kamp, we've stayed in contact every since. He actually help direct me to Clent Wells, Children's Pastor at James River Assembly, who then suggested I look into James River Leadership College where I currently go to school. (Check it out its awesome! JRLC.com) He's a phenomenal guy and I know I will be blessed to be mentored by him. The Lord is going to do great things this summer and I cant want to be used by him!
To let everyone know, who's interested that is, this summer I will be interning under Children's Pastor Brandon Diehl at Trinity Assembly of God in Baltimore Maryland. This is an exciting opportunity the I know God has blessed me with. It's been in the works for a couple months but it became official this week. Ill be serving from June 1 through August 15. Brandon and Trinity Kids are doing a lot of cool things this summer that I wanted to be involved in and learn from. In June were taking some 5th graders on a missions trip to The Freedom Center in Lakeland Florida. In July we'll be attending the Potomac District Kids Camp. Also in July we will possibly be taking 4th graders on a missions experience to Michigan. And to wrap up the busy, eventful, summer Trinity Kids will be doing a huge Vacation Bible School in August. I've never been involved in kids missions trips, never been to a kids camp other than the Oklahoma district (Oklahoma District will always be the best so Potomac shouldn't even try), and never been in a leadership role for a VBS. So I will learn a great deal of new things this summer. Also, I wanted to see what East Coast ministry was like compared to Midwest. I've lived in the Bible belt my whole life, so I wanted to live in an area of the United States that doesn't have a church on every corner.
Lastly, I met Brandon Diehl in 2008 when he and Christopher Strok were the Camp evangelist at Kids Kamp, we've stayed in contact every since. He actually help direct me to Clent Wells, Children's Pastor at James River Assembly, who then suggested I look into James River Leadership College where I currently go to school. (Check it out its awesome! JRLC.com) He's a phenomenal guy and I know I will be blessed to be mentored by him. The Lord is going to do great things this summer and I cant want to be used by him!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Operation China - Day 11
Sorry these post are a couple days late. Its been a really busy weekend. Lots of things going on for Easter weekend at James River Assembly. I hope everyone had great Easter services and that God was glorified! Here are the prayer challenges for April 3rd.
April 3
Shandong Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 153,300 sq.km. Northern coastal province on the Shandong Peninsula in the Yellow Sea.
Population 90,928,000; 593 people/sq.km.
Capital Jinan 4.79m. Other major cities: Qingdao 4.38m; Zibo 3.34m; Tai'an 1.9m; Zaozhuang 2.4m; Linyi 1.61m; Weifang 1.23m; Laiwu 1.23m; Heze 1.18m; Rizhau 1.15m; Liling 1m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.6%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.4%. Christian 3%: House churches 1.7%, TSPM 1%, all Catholics 0.3%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Shandong was the birthplace and home of Confucius, whose philosophy and writings have deeply moulded Chinese culture to this day. Pray that the Chinese may be freed from the social demands which hinder many from commitment to Christ.
2) Tai'an is near one of China's most 'holy' mountains, Taishan. This is a major spiritual stronghold on which prayer should be focused.
3) The Jesus Family, a remarkable form of communal Christianity, began in this province. They were influential in the start of the house church movement of which they are a part today. Pray for the spiritual health of all forms of indigenous Christianity and for the centrality of Scripture in their life and teaching.
Shanghai Municipality
GEOGRAPHY
Area 6,200 sq.km. China's largest and most wealthy city (after Hong Kong) and an industrial hub for the country with a large international seaport.
Population 14,773,000; 2,382 people/sq.km.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.6%, speaking Wu and Subei.
Other 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.4%. Christian 9.6%: House churches 5.7%, all Catholics 2.8%,TSPM 1.1%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) In 1950 there was a varied and effective church life with 256 churches, but all was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution. Even today there are but 27 churches and 80 registered meeting points of the TSPM. A large network of small house churches has developed – some estimate between 3,000 and 20,000. In a crackdown in 1999, 1,000 were forcibly closed. Pray for freedom for congregations to grow and multiply.
2) The economic growth has been a magnet for up to 3 million poor, rural work-seekers from all over China who eagerly take up the dangerous and menial jobs on the margins of society. Pray for the evangelization of this uprooted mass of people.
3) For years Shanghai has been a base for Christian outreach to the whole country. One of the major house church networks is doing just that today. Pray that the drive, wealth and sophistication of this city might be harnessed for the spread of the gospel.
Shanxi province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 157,100 sq.km. Northeast China, west of Beijing. Not to be confused with neighbouring Shaanxi. [Shanxi = West of the Mountains; Shaanxi = West of the Mountain Passes].
Population 32,251,000; 205 people/sq.km.
Capital Taiyuan 2.76m. Other major cities: Datong 1.8m; Yangcheng 1.48m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.7%, speaking Putonghua and Jin.
Other 0.3%: Hui, Manchu.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.2%. Christian 3.4%: House churches 2.1%, TSPM 0.7%, all Catholics 0.6%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The CIM did much work here before 1949. In 1950 there were 26,000 Protestants. This number had offically grown to 220,000 (unofficially nearly 900,000) by 1999. There are also many Catholics. There has been much repression of both registered TSPM and house churches.
2) The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 led to many martyrs – thousands of Chinese as well as 159 missionaries and 46 children in Shanxi alone. Pray that their blood may prove good seed for today's Church.
3) Datong has a low percentage of Christians and is, historically, a major Buddhist centre. Pray for the breaking down of spiritual strongholds.
Sichuan Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 426,000 sq.km. A large rice-growing province on the Yangtze River ringed by high mountains. The 'panda province'.
Population 87,681,000; 205 people/sq.km.
Capital Chengdu 5.3m. Other major cities: Suining 1.7m; Neijiang 1.42m; Leshan 1.44m; Zigong 1.3m; Mianyang 1.22m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 95.4%, speaking Putonghua.
Sino-Tibetan 4.6%: 44 peoples, largest:
Tibetan E. Khampa 1.25m, Jiarong(5) 190,000; Rtahu Amdo 79,000, Ergong 49,000.
Yi Nosu(4) 1.83m; Suodi 190,000; Qiang(12) 183,000; Mosuo 30,000; Chrame 39,000; Bai Ma 15,000.
Hmong-Mien 0.8%. Miao(2) 667,000.
RELIGION
Lamaistic Buddhist 4%. Among Tibetans, Jiarong, Mosuo, Chrame. Animist, polytheist among Nosu, Bai Ma, Qiang, Miao. Christian 1.4%: House churches 0.7%, all Catholics 0.5%, TSPM 0.2%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Sichuan had the lowest Christian percentage of the Han-majority provinces until recently. The Catholics arrived in 1696 and LMS and CIM in 1868/81, but there had been no major breakthrough until a recent significant growth in the house churches. Pray that the spiritual mountains that ring this province might be breached, and millions turn to Christ.
2) Chengdu with over 5m people is a key city for the whole of western China, but there are officially only two large TSPM churches and 3,000 Protestant Christians. There may be a further 50,000 house church believers. There is a large number of ethnic minority groups in the city – especially Tibetans. Pray for this needy city and those seeking to reach it.
3) Ethnic minorities indigenous to Sichuan total 4m in 44 peoples, but 33 of them have no Christians and no known outreach to them. Of the 11 among whom there are some Christians, only the Chuan Miao and Shengzha Nosu have over 1% Christians. Intercede for:
a) The major groups with no witness; the Qiang cluster of peoples, the Tibetan groups, Suodi, Mosuo, Enshi Miao, etc. Many of these peoples, though related, speak mutually unintelligible languages.
b) The Nosu who are a particular challenge. They are a proud people that once dominated their area and enslaved the Han Chinese. They were only finally subdued by the central government in 1953. They are known for their violence, war-making, intimidation and polytheism. The JESUS film has had some impact, and there are 12,000 Christians in the largest of the 4 Nosu peoples. Pray for this spiritual stronghold to be breached.
c) The small Christian groups among them to become strong, effective witnesses.
d) Ethnic minorities in Yunnan and elsewhere with large Christian communities to become missionaries to these peoples.
e) Bible translators. The Bible is available for the Khampa and Amdo Tibetans, and there are portions of Scripture for the Chuan Miao and Shengzha Nosu, but no other group has anything of God's Word.
Tianjin Municipality
GEOGRAPHY
Area 11,300 sq.km. The port city of Beijing.
Population 9,883,000; 875 people/sq.km.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 97.8%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 1.8%.
Other 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 1.8%. Christian 2.3%: All Catholics 1.7%, house churches 0.4%, TSPM 0.2%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Church is almost as tightly controlled as in nearby Beijing, and church growth has been more limited. Catholics have fared better. Pray for an easing of the harsh restrictions and for more church growth.
April 3
Shandong Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 153,300 sq.km. Northern coastal province on the Shandong Peninsula in the Yellow Sea.
Population 90,928,000; 593 people/sq.km.
Capital Jinan 4.79m. Other major cities: Qingdao 4.38m; Zibo 3.34m; Tai'an 1.9m; Zaozhuang 2.4m; Linyi 1.61m; Weifang 1.23m; Laiwu 1.23m; Heze 1.18m; Rizhau 1.15m; Liling 1m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.6%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.4%. Christian 3%: House churches 1.7%, TSPM 1%, all Catholics 0.3%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Shandong was the birthplace and home of Confucius, whose philosophy and writings have deeply moulded Chinese culture to this day. Pray that the Chinese may be freed from the social demands which hinder many from commitment to Christ.
2) Tai'an is near one of China's most 'holy' mountains, Taishan. This is a major spiritual stronghold on which prayer should be focused.
3) The Jesus Family, a remarkable form of communal Christianity, began in this province. They were influential in the start of the house church movement of which they are a part today. Pray for the spiritual health of all forms of indigenous Christianity and for the centrality of Scripture in their life and teaching.
Shanghai Municipality
GEOGRAPHY
Area 6,200 sq.km. China's largest and most wealthy city (after Hong Kong) and an industrial hub for the country with a large international seaport.
Population 14,773,000; 2,382 people/sq.km.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.6%, speaking Wu and Subei.
Other 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.4%. Christian 9.6%: House churches 5.7%, all Catholics 2.8%,TSPM 1.1%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) In 1950 there was a varied and effective church life with 256 churches, but all was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution. Even today there are but 27 churches and 80 registered meeting points of the TSPM. A large network of small house churches has developed – some estimate between 3,000 and 20,000. In a crackdown in 1999, 1,000 were forcibly closed. Pray for freedom for congregations to grow and multiply.
2) The economic growth has been a magnet for up to 3 million poor, rural work-seekers from all over China who eagerly take up the dangerous and menial jobs on the margins of society. Pray for the evangelization of this uprooted mass of people.
3) For years Shanghai has been a base for Christian outreach to the whole country. One of the major house church networks is doing just that today. Pray that the drive, wealth and sophistication of this city might be harnessed for the spread of the gospel.
Shanxi province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 157,100 sq.km. Northeast China, west of Beijing. Not to be confused with neighbouring Shaanxi. [Shanxi = West of the Mountains; Shaanxi = West of the Mountain Passes].
Population 32,251,000; 205 people/sq.km.
Capital Taiyuan 2.76m. Other major cities: Datong 1.8m; Yangcheng 1.48m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.7%, speaking Putonghua and Jin.
Other 0.3%: Hui, Manchu.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.2%. Christian 3.4%: House churches 2.1%, TSPM 0.7%, all Catholics 0.6%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The CIM did much work here before 1949. In 1950 there were 26,000 Protestants. This number had offically grown to 220,000 (unofficially nearly 900,000) by 1999. There are also many Catholics. There has been much repression of both registered TSPM and house churches.
2) The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 led to many martyrs – thousands of Chinese as well as 159 missionaries and 46 children in Shanxi alone. Pray that their blood may prove good seed for today's Church.
3) Datong has a low percentage of Christians and is, historically, a major Buddhist centre. Pray for the breaking down of spiritual strongholds.
Sichuan Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 426,000 sq.km. A large rice-growing province on the Yangtze River ringed by high mountains. The 'panda province'.
Population 87,681,000; 205 people/sq.km.
Capital Chengdu 5.3m. Other major cities: Suining 1.7m; Neijiang 1.42m; Leshan 1.44m; Zigong 1.3m; Mianyang 1.22m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 95.4%, speaking Putonghua.
Sino-Tibetan 4.6%: 44 peoples, largest:
Tibetan E. Khampa 1.25m, Jiarong(5) 190,000; Rtahu Amdo 79,000, Ergong 49,000.
Yi Nosu(4) 1.83m; Suodi 190,000; Qiang(12) 183,000; Mosuo 30,000; Chrame 39,000; Bai Ma 15,000.
Hmong-Mien 0.8%. Miao(2) 667,000.
RELIGION
Lamaistic Buddhist 4%. Among Tibetans, Jiarong, Mosuo, Chrame. Animist, polytheist among Nosu, Bai Ma, Qiang, Miao. Christian 1.4%: House churches 0.7%, all Catholics 0.5%, TSPM 0.2%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Sichuan had the lowest Christian percentage of the Han-majority provinces until recently. The Catholics arrived in 1696 and LMS and CIM in 1868/81, but there had been no major breakthrough until a recent significant growth in the house churches. Pray that the spiritual mountains that ring this province might be breached, and millions turn to Christ.
2) Chengdu with over 5m people is a key city for the whole of western China, but there are officially only two large TSPM churches and 3,000 Protestant Christians. There may be a further 50,000 house church believers. There is a large number of ethnic minority groups in the city – especially Tibetans. Pray for this needy city and those seeking to reach it.
3) Ethnic minorities indigenous to Sichuan total 4m in 44 peoples, but 33 of them have no Christians and no known outreach to them. Of the 11 among whom there are some Christians, only the Chuan Miao and Shengzha Nosu have over 1% Christians. Intercede for:
a) The major groups with no witness; the Qiang cluster of peoples, the Tibetan groups, Suodi, Mosuo, Enshi Miao, etc. Many of these peoples, though related, speak mutually unintelligible languages.
b) The Nosu who are a particular challenge. They are a proud people that once dominated their area and enslaved the Han Chinese. They were only finally subdued by the central government in 1953. They are known for their violence, war-making, intimidation and polytheism. The JESUS film has had some impact, and there are 12,000 Christians in the largest of the 4 Nosu peoples. Pray for this spiritual stronghold to be breached.
c) The small Christian groups among them to become strong, effective witnesses.
d) Ethnic minorities in Yunnan and elsewhere with large Christian communities to become missionaries to these peoples.
e) Bible translators. The Bible is available for the Khampa and Amdo Tibetans, and there are portions of Scripture for the Chuan Miao and Shengzha Nosu, but no other group has anything of God's Word.
Tianjin Municipality
GEOGRAPHY
Area 11,300 sq.km. The port city of Beijing.
Population 9,883,000; 875 people/sq.km.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 97.8%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 1.8%.
Other 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 1.8%. Christian 2.3%: All Catholics 1.7%, house churches 0.4%, TSPM 0.2%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Church is almost as tightly controlled as in nearby Beijing, and church growth has been more limited. Catholics have fared better. Pray for an easing of the harsh restrictions and for more church growth.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Operation China - Day 10
April 2
Liaoning Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 151,000 sq.km. Southernmost of the three provinces of Manchuria, bordering on the Yellow Sea and North Korea. Heavily industrialized – much of it state-controlled.
Population 42,863,000; 284 people/sq.km.
Capital Shenyang (Mukden) 5.68m. Other major cities: Dalian 3.15m; Anshan 1.94m; Fushun 1.7m; Taian 1.57m; Wafangdian 1.34m; Dandong 1.2m; Benxi 1.17m; Haicheng 1.16m; Fuxian 1.14m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 90%, speaking Putonghua.
Manchu 5.7%.
Korean 2.4%.
Mongolian 1.2%.
Hui 0.7%. Also Xibe 180,500.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.7%. Christian 5.1%: House churches 3%, all Catholics 1.1%, TSPM 1%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Church has grown significantly from a strong Presbyterian pre-revolution base. Over 20% of Christians in the province are Korean. A special effort began in 1997 to suppress Protestant and Catholic 'illegal' activities and compel the numerous house churches to register. Foreigners, especially Koreans, were noted to be especially active in church planting. Pray for wisdom, fortitude and evangelistic fervour for the believers.
2) The Manchu conquered and ruled China from 1644 to 1911, but in the process lost their culture. Of the 12.6m Manchu, only 200,000 retain a distinctly Manchu culture and their language is almost extinct. The majority live in the three provinces of former Manchuria but are also scattered across China. Most follow the range of Chinese secular and religious views, but some are still shamanist. Response to the gospel is very limited and known Christians are only 10,000 in number – less than 0.1% of the Manchu. Pray for this large unreached people.
3) The Xibe are an Altaic-Tungus people that have been largely assimilated into Chinese culture, but only a handful are known to be Christian.
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
GEOGRAPHY
Area 66,400 sq.km. Arid steppe with a fertile strip along the Yellow River in north China.
Population 5,410,000; 81 people/sq.km.
Capital Yinchuan 300,000.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 66.5%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 33.4%.
Manchu 0.1%.
RELIGION
Muslim 34%. Christian 3.9%: all Catholics 1.9%, house churches 1.8%, TSPM 0.2%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Hui number 10.6m, but are found in every province of China. Only a minority live in their Autonomous Region. They are descendants of Muslim traders, Mongolians and Chinese. They strongly retain their culture and religion, but speak Putonghua. They are the largest Muslim ethnic group in China. After 30 years of mission outreach before 1951, very few had become Christians. There is renewed interest in reaching them. There are only about 200 scattered believers among them. Pray that in every city across China, local Christians might have a burden to reach them and the willingness to adapt their approach to be effective.
2) There is a large-scale turning to Christianity in the north along the Yellow River where there are many Han immigrants. The Catholic Church has seen the greatest growth. Pray for adequate leadership and good literature for these Christians – both in short supply.
Qinghai Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 721,000 sq.km. A huge, high alpine desert province in West China on the Tibetan Plateau.
Population 5,098,000; 7 people/sq.km.
Capital Xining 937,000.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 59.9%, speaking Putonghua.
Sino-Tibetan 19.4%. 8 peoples, largest: Amdo Tibetan(2) 710,000; Golog 128,000; Khampa Tibetan 118,000; Sogwo Arig 37,000.
Hui 13.7%.
Mongolian 4.8%. 4 peoples: Tu 200,000; Oirat 91,000, Mongour 40,000; Bonan 6,000.
Turkic-Altaic 2.2%. 2 peoples: Salar 113,000; Kazakh 3,000.
RELIGION
Muslim 16%. Christian 2.3%: House churches 1.4%, TSPM 0.6%, all Catholics 0.3%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) This desolate region is dotted with labour camps. Many thousands of prisoners have endured great hardship there – including many believers. Pray for all prisoners of conscience that their faith in God might grow and bless those around them.
2) In the 1940s there were only a few hundred Christians, mainly in Xining, but in the last 20 years growth has been significant in the few urban areas. There are only five registered TSPM churches and 40 meeting points in the province. The believers are poor but fervent in outreach – pray that this ministry might be fruitful.
3) The unreached:
a) The Tibetans are strong in their Lamaistic Buddhism. Their living conditions are harsh, and they depend on their large herds of yak. Unprecedented heavy snows in 1996 decimated these herds and made many destitute. Christian help for them gave opportunities for witness. There are now a handful of isolated believers. Pray for open hearts, bound demonic powers and for many people to be free in Jesus.
b) The Tu and Mongour are Lamaistic Buddhists with no known believers. They are isolated from existing outreach.
c) The Muslim Hui in Xining are numerous and there are a handful of Christians, but few witness to them.
d) The Muslim Salar and Bonan remain completely unreached.
Shaanxi Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 195,800 sq.km. in north-central China.
Population 36,828,000; 188 people/sq.km.
Capital Xian 3,352,000. Once the capital of China in the T'ang dynasty. Famous for the buried terracotta army.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.6%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.4%. Christian 4.5%: House churches 2.7%, TSPM 1.0%, all Catholics 0.8%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Shaanxi was the birthplace of Christianity in China. The Nestorians built their first church in Xian in 635. Terrible persecution wiped out this witness. Pray that the 21st Century may be one of triumph for the Church.
2) The Church has grown dramatically from 30,000 Christians in 1949 to officially 350,000 and unofficially maybe nearly 3m today. Pray for the spiritual unity and health of Shaanxi Christians and that they may retain the fire of the Holy Spirit into the next generation.
Liaoning Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 151,000 sq.km. Southernmost of the three provinces of Manchuria, bordering on the Yellow Sea and North Korea. Heavily industrialized – much of it state-controlled.
Population 42,863,000; 284 people/sq.km.
Capital Shenyang (Mukden) 5.68m. Other major cities: Dalian 3.15m; Anshan 1.94m; Fushun 1.7m; Taian 1.57m; Wafangdian 1.34m; Dandong 1.2m; Benxi 1.17m; Haicheng 1.16m; Fuxian 1.14m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 90%, speaking Putonghua.
Manchu 5.7%.
Korean 2.4%.
Mongolian 1.2%.
Hui 0.7%. Also Xibe 180,500.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.7%. Christian 5.1%: House churches 3%, all Catholics 1.1%, TSPM 1%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Church has grown significantly from a strong Presbyterian pre-revolution base. Over 20% of Christians in the province are Korean. A special effort began in 1997 to suppress Protestant and Catholic 'illegal' activities and compel the numerous house churches to register. Foreigners, especially Koreans, were noted to be especially active in church planting. Pray for wisdom, fortitude and evangelistic fervour for the believers.
2) The Manchu conquered and ruled China from 1644 to 1911, but in the process lost their culture. Of the 12.6m Manchu, only 200,000 retain a distinctly Manchu culture and their language is almost extinct. The majority live in the three provinces of former Manchuria but are also scattered across China. Most follow the range of Chinese secular and religious views, but some are still shamanist. Response to the gospel is very limited and known Christians are only 10,000 in number – less than 0.1% of the Manchu. Pray for this large unreached people.
3) The Xibe are an Altaic-Tungus people that have been largely assimilated into Chinese culture, but only a handful are known to be Christian.
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
GEOGRAPHY
Area 66,400 sq.km. Arid steppe with a fertile strip along the Yellow River in north China.
Population 5,410,000; 81 people/sq.km.
Capital Yinchuan 300,000.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 66.5%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 33.4%.
Manchu 0.1%.
RELIGION
Muslim 34%. Christian 3.9%: all Catholics 1.9%, house churches 1.8%, TSPM 0.2%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Hui number 10.6m, but are found in every province of China. Only a minority live in their Autonomous Region. They are descendants of Muslim traders, Mongolians and Chinese. They strongly retain their culture and religion, but speak Putonghua. They are the largest Muslim ethnic group in China. After 30 years of mission outreach before 1951, very few had become Christians. There is renewed interest in reaching them. There are only about 200 scattered believers among them. Pray that in every city across China, local Christians might have a burden to reach them and the willingness to adapt their approach to be effective.
2) There is a large-scale turning to Christianity in the north along the Yellow River where there are many Han immigrants. The Catholic Church has seen the greatest growth. Pray for adequate leadership and good literature for these Christians – both in short supply.
Qinghai Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 721,000 sq.km. A huge, high alpine desert province in West China on the Tibetan Plateau.
Population 5,098,000; 7 people/sq.km.
Capital Xining 937,000.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 59.9%, speaking Putonghua.
Sino-Tibetan 19.4%. 8 peoples, largest: Amdo Tibetan(2) 710,000; Golog 128,000; Khampa Tibetan 118,000; Sogwo Arig 37,000.
Hui 13.7%.
Mongolian 4.8%. 4 peoples: Tu 200,000; Oirat 91,000, Mongour 40,000; Bonan 6,000.
Turkic-Altaic 2.2%. 2 peoples: Salar 113,000; Kazakh 3,000.
RELIGION
Muslim 16%. Christian 2.3%: House churches 1.4%, TSPM 0.6%, all Catholics 0.3%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) This desolate region is dotted with labour camps. Many thousands of prisoners have endured great hardship there – including many believers. Pray for all prisoners of conscience that their faith in God might grow and bless those around them.
2) In the 1940s there were only a few hundred Christians, mainly in Xining, but in the last 20 years growth has been significant in the few urban areas. There are only five registered TSPM churches and 40 meeting points in the province. The believers are poor but fervent in outreach – pray that this ministry might be fruitful.
3) The unreached:
a) The Tibetans are strong in their Lamaistic Buddhism. Their living conditions are harsh, and they depend on their large herds of yak. Unprecedented heavy snows in 1996 decimated these herds and made many destitute. Christian help for them gave opportunities for witness. There are now a handful of isolated believers. Pray for open hearts, bound demonic powers and for many people to be free in Jesus.
b) The Tu and Mongour are Lamaistic Buddhists with no known believers. They are isolated from existing outreach.
c) The Muslim Hui in Xining are numerous and there are a handful of Christians, but few witness to them.
d) The Muslim Salar and Bonan remain completely unreached.
Shaanxi Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 195,800 sq.km. in north-central China.
Population 36,828,000; 188 people/sq.km.
Capital Xian 3,352,000. Once the capital of China in the T'ang dynasty. Famous for the buried terracotta army.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 99.6%, speaking Putonghua.
Hui 0.4%.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.4%. Christian 4.5%: House churches 2.7%, TSPM 1.0%, all Catholics 0.8%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Shaanxi was the birthplace of Christianity in China. The Nestorians built their first church in Xian in 635. Terrible persecution wiped out this witness. Pray that the 21st Century may be one of triumph for the Church.
2) The Church has grown dramatically from 30,000 Christians in 1949 to officially 350,000 and unofficially maybe nearly 3m today. Pray for the spiritual unity and health of Shaanxi Christians and that they may retain the fire of the Holy Spirit into the next generation.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Operation China - Day 9
Today one of the province's we are praying for is the province where our group spent most of our time. Jiangxi province in the city of Nanchang. Beautiful area, it was towards the end of December and the weather was much like Oklahomas at that time of the year. I found some pictures online of the area where we were at.
This is the school we visited
And this of course one of my favorite... The "Zu Qiu" field, Soccer field there at the school. I was really hoping to be able to play on it but the students were more interested in playing basketball than soccer.
Would you help us for pray Jiangxi province and the others? Prayer changes things, and when we pray God answers. Amen?
April 1
Jiangsu Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 102,600 sq.km. Relatively prosperous, fertile coastal province west of Shanghai.
Population 73,866,000; 720 people/sq.km.
Capital Nanjing 3.38m. Other major cities: Xuzhou 1.83m; Wuxi 1.05m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese – speaking Putonghua.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.2%. Christian 7.6%: House churches 5.1%, TSPM 1.5%, all Catholics 1%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Church growth has been spectacular since 1980, with over one million associated with TSPM churches and many more with burgeoning house churches. Pray that no subterfuge or attack of the enemy of souls may succeed in hindering that growth.
2) Nanjing is an important centre for Christians – one of the most prestigious TSPM seminaries and the Amity Press are located here.
Jiangxi Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 164,800 sq.km. South-central China.
Population 42,654,000; 259 people/sq.km.
Capital Nanchang 1.84m. Other major cities: Pingxiang 1.87m; Fuzhou 1.42m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese – speaking Putonghua and Gan.
RELIGION
Christian 4.8%: House churches 3.4%, TSPM 0.9%, all Catholics 0.5%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Communist Long March began here – a march that ended with the political triumph for that ideology, but an immense disaster for China. The blight of that history still affects Jiangxi. Pray for the release of the province from all that opposes God.
2) There are some areas where Christians have multiplied, but many parts of the province are relatively under-evangelized.
Jilin Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 187,000 sq.km. Part of former Manchuria, bordering on North Korea and Siberia.
Population 27,153,000; 145 people/sq.km.
Capital Changchun 2.95m. Other major cities: Jilin 1.77m; Gongzhuling 1.33m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 91.9%, speaking Putonghua.
Korean 4.9%.
Manchu 2.3%.
Hui 0.5%.
Mongolian 0.4%.
RELIGION
Many Koreans practice a mix of Buddhism and Shamanism. Muslim 0.5%. Christian 5.7%: House churches 4.1%, TSPM 0.9%, all Catholics 0.7%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Church is relatively strong with many registered and unregistered congregations. A large minority of the Christians are Koreans. Nearly a third of the 2.1m Koreans in Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces are Christian. Praise God for this.
2) Changchun has a much lower percentage of Christians. Pray for churches to be multiplied.
3) The Chinese Korean Church has an unusual role to play for North Korea. The terrible plight of their kinsfolk in that repressed land has brought many famine and political victims to them. In the event that Communism collapses, these Christians will play a vital part in the healing and re-evangelization of North Korea.
This is the school we visited
And this of course one of my favorite... The "Zu Qiu" field, Soccer field there at the school. I was really hoping to be able to play on it but the students were more interested in playing basketball than soccer.
Would you help us for pray Jiangxi province and the others? Prayer changes things, and when we pray God answers. Amen?
April 1
Jiangsu Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 102,600 sq.km. Relatively prosperous, fertile coastal province west of Shanghai.
Population 73,866,000; 720 people/sq.km.
Capital Nanjing 3.38m. Other major cities: Xuzhou 1.83m; Wuxi 1.05m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese – speaking Putonghua.
RELIGION
Muslim 0.2%. Christian 7.6%: House churches 5.1%, TSPM 1.5%, all Catholics 1%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) Church growth has been spectacular since 1980, with over one million associated with TSPM churches and many more with burgeoning house churches. Pray that no subterfuge or attack of the enemy of souls may succeed in hindering that growth.
2) Nanjing is an important centre for Christians – one of the most prestigious TSPM seminaries and the Amity Press are located here.
Jiangxi Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 164,800 sq.km. South-central China.
Population 42,654,000; 259 people/sq.km.
Capital Nanchang 1.84m. Other major cities: Pingxiang 1.87m; Fuzhou 1.42m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese – speaking Putonghua and Gan.
RELIGION
Christian 4.8%: House churches 3.4%, TSPM 0.9%, all Catholics 0.5%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Communist Long March began here – a march that ended with the political triumph for that ideology, but an immense disaster for China. The blight of that history still affects Jiangxi. Pray for the release of the province from all that opposes God.
2) There are some areas where Christians have multiplied, but many parts of the province are relatively under-evangelized.
Jilin Province
GEOGRAPHY
Area 187,000 sq.km. Part of former Manchuria, bordering on North Korea and Siberia.
Population 27,153,000; 145 people/sq.km.
Capital Changchun 2.95m. Other major cities: Jilin 1.77m; Gongzhuling 1.33m.
PEOPLES
Han Chinese 91.9%, speaking Putonghua.
Korean 4.9%.
Manchu 2.3%.
Hui 0.5%.
Mongolian 0.4%.
RELIGION
Many Koreans practice a mix of Buddhism and Shamanism. Muslim 0.5%. Christian 5.7%: House churches 4.1%, TSPM 0.9%, all Catholics 0.7%.
CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER
1) The Church is relatively strong with many registered and unregistered congregations. A large minority of the Christians are Koreans. Nearly a third of the 2.1m Koreans in Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces are Christian. Praise God for this.
2) Changchun has a much lower percentage of Christians. Pray for churches to be multiplied.
3) The Chinese Korean Church has an unusual role to play for North Korea. The terrible plight of their kinsfolk in that repressed land has brought many famine and political victims to them. In the event that Communism collapses, these Christians will play a vital part in the healing and re-evangelization of North Korea.
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