Where was the truly glorious Man at Mt Olympus?
Where was Jesus Christ at the Olympics?
I had the opportunity to talk to two missionary families ministering (secretly) in Beijing - Brad and Helen, Gavin and Janet - and they spoke of the almost complete shutdown of Christian activity over the Olympic period.
Police had even turned up at house churches and warned the leaders not to hold meetings or proselytise.
They shared passionately of the great need for training church leaders in this city. They spoke of recent converts (Christians for two years or less) leading house churches of 50 or more, with very minimal preparation.
They told me of their church planting strategy - split the church at 20 people and certainly before it reaches 30, and plant the new church at a new location/house. Understandable given that the average loungeroom in a Beijing unit will struggle to hold more than 30 in any relative comfort.
The regular fear of operating clandestinely, knowing that at any time, a neighbour might notice and report the meetings. The sizes of house churches vary from half a dozen people to thousands, with most of the house church leaders working full-time in a secular job on top of pastoring the church.
They told of the struggles of the women:men ratio generally being 80:20.
It was great to catch up with Brenda, who became a Christian during her time in Sydney through the ministry of the members of Asian Bible Church (ABC). It was encouraging to hear how she was now leading Bible studies in her workplace at a top multi-national accounting firm. Please pray for her continuing struggles with work and her non-Christian family.
I was struck most by the need for what we would call basic training - how to handle the Bible, follow-up/discipleship, evangelism, etc. - here in Sydney. And the call from these missionary families to Christians in Australia to consider spending some of their ministry lives in China!
If you would like to get in contact with these ministries in Beijing, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I will pass on your contact details to them.
* Names have been changed for their safety (I kid you not…)
