The Gospel in China: Two Birds, One Throne

This is a picture of one of our teams at an English Corner they put on.

Their team name is Relentless.

While they were in China they taught English and shared the Gospel.

That guy in the front making the cool pose is named Eric.

He is the teacher for the English Class.

One night the team was able to have a private Bible Study with him.

I was invited.

We talked and explained to him the joy, peace, and comfort of Christ.

And why a relationship with God is so worth it.

He wanted it.

Like, he admitted he wanted it.

But he needed more time to "think about it."

I'll admit I get a little pushy in those cases.

"Why wait?" I asked him.

"Why wait if you know the value?

If you know you are searching for something.

And you know that Jesus can fill that void."

Makes no sense to me personally.

I gave him a choice and told him it was the only time I was gonna ask him.

That night at least.

"So, yes or no?

Jesus or yourself?"

Defeated, he looked down and decided that he just needed more time.

I said alright and we began to talk about other things.

That's when Jesus pulled out his wild card.

God likes to have fun, too.

In walks Kari, another teammate, with another Chinese friend.

His name was Thomas.

He came for the Bible Study too.

Adam, a member of the team, began to share the gospel story with him.

He had never heard it before.

He also did not speak very good English.

So Eric got to listen as we explained the simplified version to Thomas.

Adam hadn't even finished before Thomas excitedly declared:

"Yes! I want it! I want that! I want Jesus!"

I'll be honest. 

We were all a bit taken back at his earnest eagerness.

But the joy and excitement in his face told us he was ready.

So, Kari tried to walk through the "Salvation Prayer" with him.

But it was a bit difficult through the language barrier.

So instead, we had Eric translate what Kari was saying.

Yup.

The man who had just rejected Christ was now translating the prayer.

Amen.

After Thomas finished we could see the joy fluttering in his eyes.

We congratulated him and explained he was now part of a new family.

The Royal Family of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Praise God.

What a great night, right?

I'm not done yet, though.

Eric slowly and shyly opens his mouth.

"Okay. I have decided.

I want Jesus too."

You can imagine our elation.

"Yah you do!" I said.

And that night we gained two new brothers.

Guys.

This is one small story out of the hundreds that occurred in my squad.

In just one month.

Hundreds of Chinese people were given a new hope that they'd never had.

Seeds were planted.

Hearts brought to salvation.

And all because we decided to open our mouths.

So what would happen if you decided to do the same?

How many lives would be saved if you opened your mouth?

What crazy amazing things could you do for the Kingdom if you spoke up?

And here is the kicker:

What stories is Jesus going to get to tell His Father about what you've done?

Are there any?

Shouldn't there be more?

What else could you do for the Creator of the Universe?

Who actually loves you and chose to have a relationship with you?

I bet you can think of something.

This is so important, guys.

You have been given a gift.

And God has asked us to share it.

So how can you not?

You're not just saving them from Hell.

You're not just giving them a free ticket Heaven.

You are doing those things, for sure.

But you are also saving them from a life of emptiness, wandering, and loss.

And exchanging it for a life of satisfaction, purpose, and abundance.

Jesus is worth it.

He is.

And He is waiting to share your stories with His Father.

Go give Him something to say.

UPDATE__________________________________________
The World Race
Catch me on Twitter at NinjaZachWR
or see my pictures on Instagram at NinjaZach.

Excavating the Underground Church

China.

Sneaking in Bibles.

Dropping pointed hints about the fact that you are a Christian.

Hoping the other side is either a friend, or at least won't take you to prison.

Covertly searching for clues that will lead you to some underground church.

Somewhere hidden.

Somewhere disguised.

A safe haven for those who believe Christ in Communist China.

Sounds like a James Bond movie, doesn't it?

So why was The World Race sending a squad of 47 people there?

It didn't seem safe.

And I know that one of AIM's biggest priorities is that everyone is safe.

So what were we doing in a "closed country?"

To be honest, I was a little excited as well.

I mean, come on.

Every guy wishes at least a little bit to be a real 007.

Alas, when I got there, I got a pretty big reality check.

Our contact, Jake Taube, explained that we didn't need to hide our faith.

Nor should we.

(And yes, he gave us all permission to use his name and ministry)

So I started thinking about it.

I've never read anything in the Bible that resembled a 007 Christian.

In fact, Jesus challenges his those that were following him with this:

"Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

Pretty heavy stuff.

Now I am not saying there isn't also wisdom and discernment in situations.

But I am saying, or rather Jesus is saying, that we need to declare Christ.

Church, we need to be bold.

We can't be more concerned with ourselves,

With our reputation,

Even with our own lives,

Than we are with sharing the Good News of Christ's redeeming Love.

Jake did not know how he would be received when he came to China.

He just decided that he was going to openly share the gospel.

Whatever happened to him after that was all for the glory of the Lord.

Good or bad.

Praise Jesus that it ended up being good.

If you google "missionary in China" you will find his website.

Fifth link from the top.

And the first four are wikipedia.

In fact, here is the link:

gospelinchina.com

Guys.

He has only been there for 7 years.

And he is one of the most known missionaries in China, according to google.

Now I won't say he is the biggest.

Neither would he.

He is just the most known.

Because he is unafraid and unashamed of the gospel.

All he did was act in faith and open his mouth.

And then God moved.

This month my squad decided they could no longer keep theirs shut.

They spread out through all of Harbin and began to reach people.

Through English Corners, Cafe Dates, and Bible Studies.

Hundreds of people heard the Gospel.

Some for the first time in their lives.

Jesus moved and opened people's hearts to a hope they never had.

Because we chose to act in faith and open our mouths.

So how many of you are keeping yours closed?

Let me show you what happens when you do open it.

The link below will bring you to just one example of how God can use you.

But you have to choose it.

He won't force you.

But I promise,

If you don't,

You will never receive the gift of watching someone come to salvation.

And trust me.

It is the best gift you can receive outside of your own salvation.

So read it.

And be encouraged.

Your words have worth and power.

Go spread em.

The Gospel In China: Two Birds, One Throne

UPDATE__________________________________________
The World Race
Catch me on Twitter at NinjaZachWR
or see my pictures on Instagram at NinjaZach.