25 Feb 2013 by James Hoh CM –
We have written about Gabby, a missionary to China in our first installment. In this second installment Gabby talks about persecution against Christians there.
Is it easier to witness about Jesus Christ in China? If so, why? What were the reasons for the revival since 30 years ago?
When Chairman Mao introduced the Cultural Revolution to wipe out all religious, literature and other cultural materials in the 60’s and 70’s, little did he know that it would create a vacuum in the souls of the people. Thus when religion was re-introduced to them, it was like putting a match to a dry and parched land. Revival of Christianity caught was ignited like a fire in the forest with the increasingly opening up of China.
How do you witness to people?
People are curious. So when you relate to them that actually ‘Shang Di’ is the God and Creator, followed by the Gospel, you can quite easily bring them to Christ. They want to know the concept of God because they didn’t have such concept in that vacuum created by the Cultural Revolution. The best thing is: you can openly share the Gospel.
What about persecution? We have heard and seen so much about those who were persecuted.
China is huge! Persecution depends on geographical location. For example you can find so many ‘underground churches’ in Wen Zhou which are housed in highly visible and beautiful purpose-built buildings. But in some other places especially the interior persecution can be harsh and widespread.
But these few years, China has opened up and less persecution is seen. Today, as long as you have less than about 100 or 200 congregate in a hall or a hotel in big cities and not troubling the neighborhood, you probably won’t get into trouble.
Also, we have to remember that the government has to be watchful because along with Christianity, a lot of cults and extreme-teaching groups are also flourishing.
Do Christians face less persecution today? If so, why?
Praise the Lord! Christians have consistently proven themselves to have good godly values even when persecuted over the years. They have endured suffering and seldom retaliate when put under persecution. Some were even martyrs.
Whenever China encountered disasters like the Wenchuan earthquakes, Christians rushed in to help. We were among the first to rush into disaster areas. They have seen our sincerity in helping. There were reports that Christian churches in northern China mobilized thousands of their members to clear the heavy snow which cut off roads. After the Wenchuan earthquakes, many hundreds of children were made orphans. They were adopted by churches.
In your years of serving there, were there any close encounter with the police? Could you share your experience?
Six policemen knocked on our door during a Sunday service. About 60 of us were having Sunday Service in an apartment. We were noisy and a little disturbing.
The police asked what we were doing and were we doing something illegal. I hinted to the pastor who is teaching in front to switch off the powerpoint immediately and quickly answered them that we were doing character training. All these were happening at the back of the room during the service without the members’ knowledge.
So I quietly brought the six policemen to look around and explained to them the material we are using in the ‘seminar’. And just when they were about to leave, miracles happened: Instead of asking for my China-IC for jolting down the particulars, they asked for my business card. I was only too delighted to give them my business cards. Actually, the company was formed just 2 weeks ago and the name cards were printed just 3 days ago. What a relief!!
They left. Still filled with shocks, we cancelled our tenancy contract and quickly shift to another place. It was not safe for us to meet there anymore.
But if I were caught, they would have me thrown out of China for a few good years. Thank God!
Having said all the above, rather than focusing on persecutions, I would like to turn your attention to the open doors and the great harvest that is currently in China which really be our main interest.
We can trust God because He is sovereign in any situation.
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