People of China

Living the Book of Acts

The leader of a church planting movement traveled an unusual path to a vibrant ministry. Having left his home in China many years ago, he traveled to Hong Kong looking for work. There he became involved in criminal activity that landed him in jail. That is where he heard about Jesus. He emerged from incarceration as a believer and moved to another city in China. Eager to share his faith, he joined others in bicycling to villages to tell people about Jesus. They often led 20 to 30 people to faith in Christ, but their large gatherings would attract the attention of the authorities. So they began to focus on starting house churches. Desperate to reach the millions of lost people in his city for Christ, the leader gladly embraced church planting methodology when it was presented to him by a friend from overseas. As he began training those whom he evangelized to immediately evangelize and train others, his efforts were multiplied many times over. In New Testament fashion, thousands in his city are coming to the Lord.

Reaching A Village

It was the first time that they had been to a village that was so unwelcoming. Not a single resident spoke to them as they walked all throughout the village, praying quietly that God would make Himself known to the people there. Nevertheless, they returned to the same village a few weeks later to pray once again and to seek inroads to witness. This time the situation was different. As they stepped out of their vehicle, an elderly lady who was working in the fields excitedly waved them down. They walked over to greet her and ended up spending a long time conversing with her. They had no sooner shared the gospel with the lady than they were joined by a group of her friends. She eagerly repeated to them the gospel message that she had just heard. Then she took them to her sister’s home where they were able to share Christ’s plan of salvation once again. How they rejoiced that they hadn’t let the cold reception of their first visit deter their efforts to reach the village for Christ.

Answered Prayer
Touched by their kindness, the overseas worker had prayed often for the 11-year old boy and his grandmother since moving to her China city more than one year ago. She had asked others to pray for them as well. But she hadn’t really been able to share Christ with the boy until they sat down to chat recently. She asked if his family was Buddhist and he replied, “Yes, but I believe in Christianity.” Amazed at his response, she inquired further. He explained that he had seen a picture of the baby Jesus and his mother Mary in a book and had become curious. He then asked a cousin, who told him what he knew about Christianity. As the Christian worker proceeded to share the gospel, she was thrilled by the boy’s understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection. “That’s what I believe,” affirmed the young boy. With a spirit of overwhelming gratitude, the overseas worker reflected on how God had moved her to pray specifically for the boy and how He had honored those prayers, drawing the child to The Truth.