Missions Catalyst

Carols by Candlelight is an annual tradition for the Madras Musical Association in Chennai, India. In some parts of India, though, caroling can be dangerous. See story below. (Image: MMA)

1. GERMANY: Why a Missionary Created the First Advent Wreath
2. INDIA: A Caroling Calamity
3. THAILAND: Christian Refugees Get A New School for Christmas
4. UZBEKISTAN: Police Arrest Converts and Set up TV Show Trial
5. CHINA: Pastor’s Powerful Letter Released after His Arrest
6. WORLD: Understanding the Remaining Missions Task

Greetings,

This edition includes several Christmas-related stories, but here are two more resources for you, our loyal readers, as a Christmas gift:

1. Anyone remember the global issues talk show, Doha Debates? It’s back! Sign up to be notified when the new season begins.
2. Expect family holiday gatherings to slide into debate? Check out Bethinking’s tools to help answer the question Is Christmas for Real?

Come, Let Us Adore HIM!
Pat

Source: International Mission Board, December 10, 2018

Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808-1881) was eager to find a way to spread God’s message among the people in Hamburg. He worked as a missionary among the poor. In 1833, he founded a school called Rauhes Haus (“Rough House”) to redeem and serve neglected children and orphans by feeding, housing, and educating them.

To help contain the children’s excitement leading up to December 25, he created the first Advent wreath. The first wreath had 24 candles. The four largest candles indicated the Sundays of Advent. During daily prayer, a child lit a candle each day up until Christmas Eve when all the candles were finally illuminated.

Many Germans today simply enjoy Advent wreaths as centerpieces on their table. Although the tradition was born in their country, they may be unaware of the symbolic meaning the wreath holds.

» Read full story. It includes more on historic and contemporary Christianity and Christmas practices in Germany.

» Then read A Look at Christianity in Post-evangelized Germany (Missions Network News).

Source: Beyond, December 13, 2018

When “Sanjay” and some fellow followers of Christ decided to celebrate the Christmas season with caroling, they knew to be discreet. After all, they lived in northern India, where persecution of Christians is an everyday threat. Casually going into the streets singing to random strangers was not an option. No, they purposed to only go to the homes of friends like Raja. Raja was not yet a follower of Jesus but he was regularly participating in one of the local Bible studies. Surely it would be okay to sing outside his house? They assembled at Raja’s home and had begun singing when the front door flew open and a man shot into their midst. It was Raja’s older brother, Charan.

With a machete-like knife in his hand, the irate man lunged into the crowd of carolers. Charan first destroyed the drum they were playing and then began slashing wildly toward the people. He got close enough to cut one man’s shirt, but thankfully no blood was drawn. The carolers quickly left and reported this incident to the police. Some officers accompanied them back to Raja’s home, but by the time they arrived, Charan had fled. After the officers left, Sanjay and the others prayed for Raja and his whole family.

About one week had passed when Sanjay’s phone rang. It was Charan. He explained that he had turned himself into the police and asked if Sanjay could come down to the station. As soon as Sanjay arrived, Charan bent down, touched Sanjay’s feet three times (a gesture of respect) and said, “I am very sorry. You are a good person.” God had been at work in the lives of Raja’s family, and, because of this incident, all of Raja’s family except Charan decided to become Christians.

» Read full story and watch the video Ordinary People… Extraordinary Gospel about how movements are growing in India.

Source: Christian Freedom, December 14, 2018

It’s been a tough year for Pakistani Christians. A crackdown in Thailand forced [Pakistani] Christian refugees who fled there to scatter in fear. It was too risky for the refugee kids to go to school, so the teachers went to them, finding students in their hiding places to keep up on their lessons.

Since the school meeting place was no longer secure, the director found a new location. It needed work. Lots of it. Toilets and faucets were broken. Water stains on walls. Rats and cockroaches. Water pump burned out. Few lights. So teachers, students, parents, and friends all pitched in.

The director told us: “I gathered the students, bought the materials: paint, lights, toilet cleaners and detergents, trash bins and bags. [I] invited some adult men [and] gave them all a pep talk that it is a privilege for us that we get the honor to build this school piece by piece. …We cannot leave the future of our children and nation in the hands of others. …None of the Pakistani people who would come to work asked for any money, but only for food and tea. Both the children and adults happily worked for long hours.”

» Read full story.

» Speaking of refugees, read the continuing story of a North Korean teenager whose family escaped to China. After studying in a Christian university in the US, she now hopes to return to Asia to serve in ministry through business (Lausanne Movement).