China Partnership - February 2022 Update
Stories of China
“But we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5: 3-5
Shandong Seminary
Congratulations to Freda Li
She was given an “excellent” rating by her faculty at the University of Liverpool, Suzhou, China, and was recognized for being a faculty member of distinction. This is rarely attained by new faculty members. Freda earned this while taking care of her son as a single mother, volunteering as a preacher at her church, and serving as a small group leader. Freda was the main speaker for our last conversation with Chinese friends.
News from our seminary partners
Our friends have let us know that the pandemic has had an impact on church and daily life, with over 200 pastors needing financial support. Still, there is positive news! Ordinations continue and pastors keep leading their churches faithfully. With the desire to understand scripture more from a Chinese perspective, seminaries are hosting retreats that elevate the work of Chinese scholars both within and beyond China. One of our partners, Shandong Theological Seminary, even tells us that they are in conversations with the provincial authorities to purchase an additional six acres to expand their seminary to meet the needs of new students.
Thank you from Christian Communications Limited
In response to the request of Christian Communications Limited(CCL) in Hong Kong, donors provided resources for approximately 450 theological mini-libraries for church leaders. CCL has been approved by the Chinese government to produce these libraries and send them to graduates of Bible colleges and seminaries across China. The goal for 2022 is 4,500 libraries! Additionally, CCL is producing its “Living Word” curriculum to support the teaching needs of pastors, especially in remote areas of China where resources are very lean. Funding is sought for new titles, “The Twelve Books of the Prophets, part 2,” “Revelation,” and “The Gospel of Luke.” They hope to publish this 26-book series electronically soon.
Voices of the younger generation
The Outreach Foundation has been listening to voices from the younger generation of believers within China. Their voices unite around certain themes and express concerns for increased pressure placed upon both registered and unregistered churches.
Cries for justice come from the younger generation of believers along with many who are not part of the church. While the Olympics have been held, they have used social media to bring attention to the level of human trafficking in China. As one of our friends has written, “We have chosen neither to boast in the worldly or nationalistic glory of games nor indulge in the cozy peaceful new year holiday. Instead, we have chosen to be troubled and sorrowful by joining with numerous Chinese people to focus on the horror of human trafficking and sexual slavery in northern Jiangsu province.” This friend is referring to the discovery of a tortured woman who had been abducted and sold 20 years earlier. “To make the situation worse,” he writes, “while we weep and lament for this poor lady, news reports, personal stories, and reliable governmental databases show that since 2000 upwards of nearly 20,000 women and kids are abducted and sold in China each year. It is important that we go among our people to live out the gospel.”
Responding to March 1, 2022: On this date, a new regulation, “Measures of Administration of Internet Religious Information Service,” threatens to shut down all religious online activity in China. The government, understandably, is responding to a rise in radical teaching and the proliferation of destabilizing views and teachings. The church does not participate in such activity, nevertheless, the Christian community will be included in the new regulations adding to the challenges they have been facing since 2017. Unless church institutions receive official provincial licenses, any online Christian activity such as Bible study, worship, counseling, prayer groups, and more will be banned. So, let us pray that Christians will receive these licenses and be unencumbered in their desire to meet in person.
In the spirit of Romans 8:28, “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose,” one response reveals the spirit of Chinese Christians to endure. A friend wrote, “This may be God showing us that it is time to gather in groups again, worship together, and strengthen our faith face-to-face rather than to rely on social media and technology.” Since children are unable to attend church, younger families plan to gather in small groups.
How can we respond? Let us continue to listen to the multiple voices of the church and our friends. It will be very important for us to remain guarded in our communication paying special attention to language regarding God, grace, scripture, salvation, and other Christian terms that have historically been triggers for censorship. Also, we should be faithful in prayer as the church seeks to provide an enduring witness to God’s love for the people of China.
Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Boone, Associate Director for Mission
Read more about Theological Education in Shandong HERE.
Read more about Mini-Libraries for Church Leaders HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the China Partnership. All gifts of any size are welcomed to provide mini-libraries for church leaders and recent seminary graduates; to support continuing education opportunities for Chinese church leaders; and to provide support for Jiangsu Seminary and Shandong Seminary. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.