Christian Friends of China

The youth and their parents from Bethel Lutheran Church and Risen Christ Lutheran Church attended a Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday, February 4^th at Minnesota Faith Chinese Lutheran Church.  The experience was part of their cultural training in preparation for the 2008 China Youth Service Project that will take place from July 16-31 in Henan Province, central China.  The group was invited by Rev. Shen Lin of Faith Chinese Lutheran Church in Saint Paul.  The group was warmly welcomed, and immediately began to take part in a time-honored Chinese New Year tradition – making Chinese dumplings.  They learned how to role the dumpling skins, insert the filling, seal them, and – of course – eat them.  In addition to sampling other home made Chinese dishes, the group practiced their Chinese, got to meet new Chinese friends, and experienced a totally Chinese setting.  We are grateful to our hosts at Faith Chinese for inviting and for warmly welcoming us.

感谢 (In Gratitude), 

The 2008 Bethel and Risen Christ China Mission Teams

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I led a week-long Bible study workshop at China Place in January.  The workshop took students through key bible stories that help unpack the Christocentric purpose of the Bible: the fall into sin and the first promise; the promise to Abraham; Jesus’ birth; Peter’s confession; and Jesus’ death/resurrection.  It was conducted in Chinese.  An elderly couple who attended responded very well.  They confessed faith in Jesus – but stopped short of a full declaration of faith because the are still struggling with idea that Jesus is their only Lord.  They were not yet ready to completely let go of their buddhist background.  Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit caused great growth in the seeds that were planted just within the course of a week.  The following week, I offered the couple a follow up study to discuss Jesus’ lordship.  This was a fruitful study too, and they came away with a strong desire to confess Jesus as their only Lord – but they are still struggling.  The fact that they are struggling is a good sign, since they seem to be struggling in the right direction.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will keep moving them to finally break free from their Buddhist past.

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Last week, a CFC volunteer (Merlene) was shocked and humbled when an elderly couple approached her at a Chinese New Year celebration and, with big smiles, said, “We were baptized today.”  They expressed great joy, and also thanked Merlene for her loving witness which had been instrumental in leading them to faith.  I was at the same party, and Merlene immediately told me what happened.  Of course, I immediately went to congratulate the couple, and they told me the story – still with beaming smiles.  They thanked me too for my witness and hospitality.  They had visited Risen Christ Lutheran Church at least three times since thanksgiving, and they mentioned that the hospitality and sincerity of the brothers and sisters at Risen Christ during their visits also left deep impressions.  They were baptized by Rev. Shen Lin at Minnesota Faith Chinese Lutheran Church (on Como and Doswell).  This will be their church home.

Mr. and Mrs. Lin and her husband first heard the gospel in July, 2007.  They attended a seeker service that I led at China Place.  The seeker service was the first time they had heard the Gospel proclaimed as a coherent message.  Mrs. Lin responded with a lot of questions and conversation later that same day, and she said that although she had never read the Bible, she knew that it is God’s Word, that it is true, and that she needed to learn it.  Within a week, she had begun studying the Bible with Amy, program director for the Hospitality Center for Chinese.  Her faith was nurtured throughout the year through Christian friendships, multiple visits to Risen Christ Lutheran Church, and ultimately getting connected to Minnesota Faith Chinese Lutheran Church.  The timing of their baptism was significant: the week of Chinese New Year.  Chinese New Year is a time of hope and looking forward to prosperity and blessings in the coming year.  For those who believe in Jesus, every day is filled with the blessings of God’s love, forgiveness, and a future filled with hope.

The story of this couple coming to faith is a testimony that God’s Word is powerful, and that the Holy Spirit works through it when it is shared.  This is also a reminder of how many people God often uses in leading a person to faith.  Although there were some key moments, it took dozens of people witnessing in many different ways over a span of many months.  One other neat part of this story was the priceless look on Merlene’s face when she realized God had used her to help lead a husband and wife to Jesus.  Friendship – Witness – Fellowship came full circle, and it was a joyful and humbling moment.  Praise God for all the faithful witnesses God put in the lives of this elderly Chinese couple.  I hope this story is an encouragement for you as you pray for, look for, and take advantage of opportunities to share your faith with your Chinese neighbors.

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