Category: News Briefs

Source: Asia Harvest, December 2020

Sister Hu shares the amazing story of how their house church movement started in northeast China:

Some years ago, my son fell seriously ill with kidney disease. I visited numerous temples where I earnestly worshiped all the idols, but he got worse. Then someone at the hospital told me that if I believed in Jesus my son could be healed.

I had no idea how to pray to this Jesus, or even what prayer was. How many times must I pray? What words should I recite and what postures should I take? It occurred to me that I should take my son to Beijing and shout aloud to Jesus on the streets, in the hope that this mysterious person would hear me and find us. However, I lacked the money to travel to Beijing or to make offerings to Jesus once I found him.

My fellow workers at the factory all laughed at me when I pleaded for their help to sell my house so I could take my son to Beijing. I cried so hard that I had a stroke and was unable to talk. Feeling ashamed, my co-workers loaded me onto a cart and pushed it to a medical clinic. Two doctors treated me, and strangely one of them said, ‘God must have a plan for your life.’

Guilt-ridden because of the way they had treated me, my co-workers had a change of heart and decided to help raise money for our trip. I had no idea where to go once we reached Beijing, but the hospital administrator also had to go to Beijing for a meeting, so he accompanied us on the long train journey.

I felt overwhelmed by the crowds of people and the hustle and bustle of the big city, but the administrator took us to a hospital, where there happened to be a doctor who specialized in kidney disease. He took one look at my son and said he must be admitted immediately. We stayed in Beijing, with my son receiving treatment as I recovered from my stroke.

One day I visited a big cathedral in the city. It was the first time I had ever set foot inside a church building, but somehow, I felt at home. I began attending services there, and some sisters encouraged me to follow Jesus and dedicate my son to him. I told God that if he healed my son, I would always serve him and would share the gospel with as many people as I could.

We traveled back home on the train, and I told my boss I had enough money either to buy food or to pay the medical bills, but not both. I was perplexed about what to do, but then I remembered my vow to God, so I quit my job and began sharing the gospel with everyone I met. Soon, a small group of believers emerged, and we began a class to train evangelists and pastors. The fellowship grew quickly and became so large that it caused traffic jams in our town whenever we held a service! We rented a larger building to meet in.

Over time, the Holy Spirit revealed that we should focus on two things: evangelizing the lost and training leaders. We formed teams with five people in each, and we targeted 18 towns with the gospel. As we approached each town we prayed, and then we would look for the poorest household to share the Good News of Jesus with.

Each team was supported by an intercession and fasting chain, which operated around the clock, with believers rotating in two-hour shifts. We fasted for seven days before a campaign, and to this day we still gather every morning at 4:30 a.m. for prayer, even in winter when it’s minus 30 degrees outside.

Now, our church has grown to 40,000 believers, and we have 1,000 evangelists and pastors. We have seen God perform many remarkable things, which have helped spread his salvation message more widely. Some towns have been so thoroughly saturated with the gospel that now over 80 percent of the people are Christians.

» Read the full story. Also check out The China Chronicles, available in paperback and Kindle editions. Looks like a volume about the growth of the Church in Henan Province coming out next month.

Source: Mission Network News, December 8, 2020

According to the 2020 Global Terrorism Index, global deaths from terrorism have fallen for five straight years, even as far-right terrorism emerges as a threat in several western countries. Read the full report.

While deaths from terrorism have been dropping globally, [systemic persecution of Christians] has been on the rise. Pray for Christians facing these difficulties in countries all around the world. Ask God to be with them and strengthen them in love and hope.

» Full story includes comments from Bruce Allen of FMI.

» You might also read 10 Steps Forward for Religious Freedom in 2020 (Open Doors).

Source: Frontiers USA, December 12, 2020

[Ali] was curious about the doctor’s faith in Jesus and asked Hadawi to tell him more. Hadawi shared how he had discovered in God’s Word that Christ has overcome the world and all its evil. Many other men and women in the town also believed in Jesus, Hadawi told Ali. They gathered in groups every week to study the Bible and learn more about following Christ.

“I would like to learn about Jesus,” Ali said. “Can I join one of these groups?”

Hadawi doubted that any of the groups would welcome a militant to study with them. Extremists had terrorized the region, and most townspeople were afraid of men like Ali.

So Hadawi suggested they start a brand-new group. Ali was thrilled. The two men started meeting weekly, working their way through the stories of Old Testament prophets. Then they started reading about Jesus in the gospels.

Ali started inviting his fellow fighters to study the Bible with him and Hadawi. The group grew, and soon it got so big it had to split. More men have joined the groups, multiplying to nearly a dozen Bible studies made up of battle-scarred militants. Many have become baptized followers of Jesus, and the number of groups has continued to grow.

» Read the full story.

Source: Mission Network News, December 8, 2020

According to the 2020 Global Terrorism Index, global deaths from terrorism have fallen for five straight years, even as far-right terrorism emerges as a threat in several western countries. Read the full report.

While deaths from terrorism have been dropping globally, [systemic persecution of Christians] has been on the rise. Pray for Christians facing these difficulties in countries all around the world. Ask God to be with them and strengthen them in love and hope.

» Full story includes comments from Bruce Allen of FMI.

» You might also read 10 Steps Forward for Religious Freedom in 2020 (Open Doors).

Source: Pioneers USA, December 16, 2020

A church planting team ran a week-long campaign featuring clips from the JESUS Film. One student responded to an ad with a message saying, “I thought I was the only person feeling so lonely during the pandemic, yet I hear of you Christians and your love for us.” This student was not alone in hearing the love of Christ. At least three people have accepted Christ after responding to these ads.

One of the posts asked, “What kind of prayer you would ask God to answer?”

• “God, please forgive me,” 105 people replied.
• “God, please help me with the things that make me afraid,” said 98 people.
• “Please bring me someone who understands and loves me,” responded 74 people.
• “God, please show me what choices to make,” said 57 people.

May God answer their prayers and guide those who continue to exchange private messages with the many responding online.

» Complete article includes several more stories about the impact of media ministry.

» You might check out a couple of recent articles from the Jesus Film Project: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Sharing Your Faith with Family and 22 Inspirational Bible Verses for Christmas.

1. IRAQ: The Difference Between Refugees and IDPs
2. EUROPE (?): “Jesus Is Going to Set You Free Today”
3. USA: Latest Statistics on International Students
4. SOMALILAND: Couple Jailed for Evangelism Freed
5. BURUNDI: How Faith Leaders Helped Bring Peace

Greetings!

We at Missions Catalyst are so thankful for our readers. I can’t speak for Marti or Shane, but I wish I could send every one of you a Christmas card! I hope this will do.

Let me share a little bit about what I’ve been up to. I am one of the first to enroll in The Awakening School of Theology and am in the second semester of an online class about the “unseen realm.” I am loving it! Ponder this, from the instructor, Dr. Michael Heiser: “‘Spiritual warfare’ is the Great Commission!”

My gifts are a few recommendations:

• Buy An Advent for the Cosmos by Jeffrey Pitts (a fellow student of Dr. Heiser, whose ideas are reflected in this book).
• Don’t miss all of the wonderful content that Paul Neeley posts at Global Christian Worship. He has collected some wonderful songs and artwork for your Advent season!

Peace of Christ to you and yours,

Pat Noble

Source: Preemptive Love, November 24, 2020

There are two camps in northern Iraq, separated by a single road, for those who fled war. Neither is what you’d call comfortable. Hardship and hunger are present in both. But when you look at these camps, within sight of each other, you can’t help but see the difference.

In one, concrete houses line mostly paved roads. The structures are tiny and nothing remotely like home. But they’re reasonably sturdy, and they give families a degree of safety and privacy. UN and big aid logos are emblazoned on practically everything. And while the amount of help here is nothing like what it used to be, it’s also not nothing.

Across the road, there are mainly tents—many of them years beyond their useful life. There is far less security here, and far too little help. What meager support there is for the families who live here? It’s disappearing soon.

What makes the difference? One is a refugee camp, and one is a camp for IDPs, or internally displaced people.

The humanitarian aid world is famous for its jargon—for its insider language and acronyms. To the outside observer, it can all seem pretty opaque. But some labels matter. Arguably, none matter more than the labels “refugee” versus “internally displaced person” (IDP).

It may seem like splitting hairs, but the difference between these two categories—and which you fall into if you have to flee your home—can be the difference between getting the help you need… or not.

» See full story with pictures.

» Also read this story about a young man in an IDP camp in Iraq who escaped ISIS to encounter coronavirus—and Christ (Christian Aid Mission).

Source: Assemblies of God World Missions, November 30, 2020

(This article is from AGWM personnel in a sensitive region.)

When “John” walked into the room where “Sara” was sitting, he thought someone had beaten her. She was covered with bruises and staring blankly into space. But her father told John she had been beating herself, punishing herself for almost strangling her three-year-old son in a demonic fit. Relatives had intervened and saved the boy in time, but then sent Sara back to her parents’ home.

Sara had been demon possessed for 13 years and had three failed marriages. She would often climb up on the roof, screaming and cursing at anyone walking by.

In desperation, her parents had reached out to our Roma friend John, whom they heard about from Roma believers in their city. John agreed to come pray for Sara. On the way, he asked two other believers to accompany him, although they really didn’t want to go. John didn’t give them a choice—they were going!

When they arrived, John asked Sara what her name was. She wouldn’t answer and would only stare back at him in frenzied silence.

John said, “Jesus is going to set you free today.” In a deep, inhuman voice that sounded as if a whole choir were speaking, the spirits inside Sara snarled, “No, she’s ours; she belongs to us. She’s cursed.”

» Read full story.

» Readers might also be interested in The Battle for China’s One Billion Souls (Asia Harvest).

Source: Missiologically Thinking (J.D. Payne), November 17, 2020

The Institute for International Education tracks data on students studying at colleges in the United States. Their annual report, Open Doors, is an excellent resource and was released [November 16]. Be sure to check out the 2020 Fast Facts PDF.

The student population exceeds one million international students. However, this past academic year witnessed a two percent decline. Despite this change, the United States remains the top destination for students.

The top sending countries of students to the United States continue to be China, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

Many colleges and universities have friendship programs that connect students with citizens. This is a great way to meet and share life with individuals who represent some of the least-reached peoples of the world. Find out what is available in your area.

No passport required. No language learning required. No teaching certificate required. Simply be yourself as you let the gospel shine into the lives of others.

» Read full story.

» Check out three startling statistics that reveal how much the church has changed this year (Outreach Magazine).