Oh the junk going through my head right now….
Got a phone call from my buddy tonight just as we were laying down to go to sleep. Told me that there was an email from China just sent out to our missionary team (I am in the States right now). This morning’s church service was interrupted by twenty police officers. Two of the Chinese men training for ministry, two of the best friends God has ever blessed me with, are in the police station right now.
One of them was about ten minutes into his sermon when they came in. They didn’t all have on uniforms – most didn’t I understand. The pastor from the government church was in their entourage. Guess it didn’t get ugly or anything. They gave the Chinese people a lecture on the illegality of the service. Took down people’s info. Then they took the guys away. In good spirits, according to my co-laborer still on the field.
– why am I here on the other side of the world when this goes down?
– how long are they going to hold the guys?
– what are we going to do next week?
– whose faith will be shown to be false in this trial?
– will the cops leave us alone after this?
– how much of our 4 years of work must be rebuilt?
– do those two know how much I love them and how proud I am?
– have I prepared them sufficiently for this day?
One question need not be asked, and I pray my friends won’t ask it even in custody: is it worth it? Preaching the Gospel to many who are learning to love it, to some who’ve never heard it before? Attempting to share it with even more people? If that’s not worth it all, what is?
Was there a way to avoid this? Sure. By staying under the rock. Maybe they’ll keep pushing us back under. If so, we’ll do all we can from there. But how can we not try to reach? Not try to be more bold? How can we content ourselves with the rumors of other people’s persecutions and avoid all of our own? How can we act like we have no higher purpose than escaping persecution? Jesus was expelled from places, as was Paul – who do we think we are to rest under the rock?
So to all my friends and brothers who visit this page: please pray, not that the Lord will allow us to escape safely under the rock, but that we will take refuge in him and gladly pay the price of preaching the Salvation that cost the ultimate price to earn.
The Gospel in China 
We’re praying here! God is bigger and has a plan in the whole thing…
Thanks Katie!
We will certainly be praying here. Praying that God’s peace, which passes understanding, will keep the hearts and minds of all involved. Fire accomplishes good as well as bad. It allows for dross to be removed, it purifies and strengthens faith…In Russia, they make a special kind of china prepared from a clay of a certain region. It is called Gzhel. After the clay has been prepared and shaped it is fired. Then the design is painted and it is fired again. Then, if it is a simple dish, it is lacquered and fired again. For the more complex vessels, those embellished with gold, the piece may be fired as many as seven times. The result is a beautiful, ornate dish fit for the house of kings. The trying of faith is much more important than that of clay. In fact, it is not only much more important than the trying of gold which perishes, but also more precious (worth more). Praying that in this case it will be found (Eureka) unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Christ. That, according to Peter, is cause for rejoicing!
Amen!
Thanks for your prayers!
I pray this time will truly be one that builds strength into the church there!
I’ll be praying for you and the church back in China. It was nice to finally meet you this morning at BBC Radcliff. God bless and may you make it back to China soon.
Thanks for your prayers!
It was great meeting your family yesterday morning – God bless!
Even though we now knows the men were released, we all need to be aware that the government could be formulating a larger action. We need to make this situation as public as possible now! Spread the word, post it on whatever site you can! The best way we can help is to make it known so that A) we have as many people praying as possible, and B) The public eye will be solidly on this situation and Chinese officials won’t want the bad publicity of treating these believers poorly.
Hey Chris
Thanks so much for your comment!
We need all the prayer we can get and we appreciate the help in spreading the Word.
Knowing that you love and serve our Lord- even in difficult situations- is so reassuring.
I have a granddaughter in China, now. I wish some member of your church would witness to her and that she will turn to our only hope the only hope for salvation
For an American to come to kno wChrist while she is in China!
Thanks Marjorie – your prayers are greatly appreciated.
We will pray for your granddaughter as well – where in China is she located?