Through their blows, the persecutors and the persecuted came to know one another. This is an important gain for both of us, as we continue to walk through persecution. This is what it means when we Chinese say: “Out of blows, knowledge grows!”
There will always be conflicts for people who grow up in a traditional Chinese education, because a Chinese education is an atheistic education. But I never doubted the existence of God. The existence of God was as natural to me as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. It was as natural to me as getting up in the morning.
I am a subversive patriot because, despite the progress we have made as a nation, America is not my best hope for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." My ultimate allegiance is to a King who gave up his own life, liberty, and happiness to redeem us from the tyranny of sin.
The gospel-centered ministry of China Partnership was directed by leaders in Mainland China, not by the China Partnership staff and board in the U.S. Hundreds of leaders have been trained in biblical, gospel-centered values for new and established churches.
Read MoreOur marriage has polished us like iron sharpens iron, and we have become very good partners. She values truth and principle, while I care more about emotional health and reputation. We balance one other. We used to attack each other due to our differences. However, the gospel has taught me to see my own shortcomings, and I’ve come to realize that I need a helper who can partner with me. I think this is very beautiful, and I’m thankful I can experience it.
Read MoreIt’s easy to just say, “I’m sorry that happened to you.” (This is the same with us and with other minority cultures. It’s very easy to say, “I feel bad about what happened to y’all.”) But are we willing to say, “Tell me about your culture. What is good about it? What has been attacked in it?” It communicates love if you go one step further and try to understand where someone else is coming from…We have felt most thankful and loved when people take time to hear us, get to know us and our stories, and get to know our culture.
Read MoreA great turning point happened after my Biblical counseling class. I began to humble myself, to see the ugly side of myself. Even though I was able to see the ugliness within, it is still hard to walk away from my irritable tendencies. Throughout this process, my wife continued to be patient and forgiving. Later, I began to apologize to her about the ways that I have wronged her. This was our turning point, although we are still in the process of learning how to apologize and forgive each other. We need time to grow in this area.
Read MoreBefore going to China, we were given a smooth, flat rock. We were told that, if you dropped the rock into a completely still body of water, the ripples would spread across the water from the point of impact. Our life is that rock; the ripple is the impact our words and actions have on those around us.
I still have that rock. It sits today on my desk at work, even after having worked with China for the past 15 years. That small rock is a reminder that my words and actions matter, and that it is not up to me to change the hearts and minds of others. Only God can do that. I get the privilege of seeking to be salt and light, and of loving, serving, and caring for those around me.
Read MoreWe feel loved—anyone would feel loved—if someone wants to hear and understand our stories, our culture, where we come from. A lot of times there is a quick, “I’m sorry that happened to you, I’ll never do that. I love all people.” That is nice, but even better would be to say, “Let me understand your perspective, your culture, and see the good about it. Go one step further; sit down with someone—that takes time and effort. Let’s hear each other out. That is what communicates love, and is so needed in these times.
Read MoreI enjoy spending time with international students. One reason is because I can feel the pressures of what they are enduring. It is easy to understand, because I am a foreigner, too. I also faced many difficulties when I came here. I want to show them Jesus’s love. We are the same as foreigners, but I am a Christian—maybe I can build a bridge to Christ.
Read MoreWang accepted Jesus because our God is mighty to save. Wang heard the good news of Jesus because he encountered a follower of Jesus, and followers of Jesus share their faith. Followers of Jesus aren’t called to wait until they’re properly trained, they aren’t told to wait until they feel comfortable sharing their faith, they don’t wait until they have a theological degree or until they’ve memorized a gospel presentation in Chinese. As followers of Jesus, we have been blessed so that we will be a blessing to others.
Read MoreDuring the course of our three-hour hike, the Holy Spirit revealed himself to me in one of the most powerful spiritual experiences I’ve ever had. I saw the Spirit transcend culture. I saw him laugh at language barriers. I saw him exalted as Lord, Creator and Savior of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. The LORD is one. He has called us, with one Spirit, into one body, saved us by one Lord through one faith, and we share in his one baptism to the glory of our one God and Father of all.
There’s a promise in that incredible truth, and there is also a missional call. God will save people from every corner of the earth, and his chosen means of accomplishing this is through his body. Through you, believer in Christ.
Read MoreFor the first time since coming to China, I was able to actually go inside a KTV. In my city, KTV’s are highly guarded by the mafia, and there is no way to get in. We are only able to approach those who work inside by going to make-up shops and hair salons as they prepare for work. But in this city, the KTV scene operates differently, so we were able to walk freely into the KTVs to see our friends inside. I walked up the stairs to one and saw a line of women sitting at the top of the stairs, waiting for customers to arrive. The place was seedy—full of tacky pictures on sound-proof, padded walls, and smelling of alcohol, cigarettes and sweat. I spoke to a few girls. My friend told me that one of the girls I spoke to has her mother working as a cleaner at the KTV. “Her mother sees her here?” I thought. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around that.
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