Listener Responses from China

Topic of the Month - Lack of Church Workers

All of them are lacking servants

Within 40 miles from my home's vicinity, there are several church spots. All of them are lacking servants and those limited preachers in work have poor Bible knowledge. Although there are some elders or pastors who graduated from seminary, they are often engaged in church administration and can't concentrate on preaching and pastoring. As such, our spiritual nourishment is not sufficient and our faith is very weak. When the pastor once asked us to offer the tithe, most strictly said no. When he requested us to observe the Sabbath, they didn't take it serious. Most of us love the world much more than God.

I was worried about this situation and thus I tried to share with them what I learn from your broadcast. To my great surprise, they were touched by the message. Meanwhile, someone said, "I have believed in God for some years. It's the best sermon I have ever heard." Then I recognize the change of my sisters and brothers. In the past, they didn't offer or observe the Sabbath. But now they have offered almost RMB1000 to help other district to build a church. They also attend church service and worship God faithfully.

(#279 Shaanxi, response to "The Spicy Mountain" and "Voice of Friendship Seminary")

"Voice from Macedonia" never stops

In the house churches of mainland, the number of Christians is increasing every day. Because of the big harvest, some built up a church while some gather in open area. The latter have to suffer bitter feeling in hot summer and cold winter. The church workers are very busy in their hard job and try their best to evangelize. They preach God's Word and save who are lost. Even this, "Voice from Macedonia" never stops. Many sheep are waiting to be fed. The quality of spiritual life is needed to be raised. I have visited more than ten house churches. The largest church has nearly 100 believers while the smallest one has about 20. No matter how large the congregation is, they are in lack of spiritual literature and committed co-workers.

(#810 Gansu, response to "In Search of Life", "DAWN China", "Good Shepherd", "Sing a New Song", "Back to God", "The Workman God Approves", "Radio Church - Koinonia" and programs on KFBS)

There's a church growing very fast

Some family members and I converted to Jesus Christ when the open door policy emerged in late 1970s. At first we were led by uncle to worship God. He has been a faithful servant of God for many years. Later, my uncle and aunt went back to Shandong their home place. The leading responsibility rests on my elder sister. Thank God that our church started with a number of seven and has expanded to more than five hundred persons now. God has been doing amazing work. He keeps adding saved souls to our church, glory to Him! There's a church grow very fast and planted 10 new churches. However, because the pastoral care can't catch up with the increasing number of believers. The spirituality of believers is deteriorating. In fact we have no pastor, teacher or seminary students here. We have great difficulty in pastoring the sheep. Please pray for us.

(#13404 Heilongjiang, response to "Voice of Friendship Seminary")

They cannot get hold of fundamental truth

The growth of church is very substantial here. We now have about 300 to 400 churches. Most of them are family gatherings. The number of new converts is also increasing. Unfortunately, some churches forsake their first enthusiasm and become indifferent gradually. All in all, they cannot get hold of fundamental truth. We do need more church workers and have organized training courses. Yet there are not enough reference books, especially those on equipping the saints. Our church leaders dare not write letters to you. They are afraid that their letters will be detained. The leaders here have suffered a lot. At present, they are still always called by the public security bureau.

(#11848 Jiangsu, response to "Voice of Friendship Seminary")

Please help us stand in the gap of the land

Churches in the mainland China are very bleak. They are in lack of real leader. Take Datong city in Shanxi as example, my mother and I paid a visit there during Chinese New Year and attended a church gathering. I found it a heresy. However, it's the only house church there. Datong is a place with rich cool mine. Coal miners are very superstitious. They keep household gods at home. Beside Datong, idol worship is very popular in China. Church is powerless. Believers are not well fed and quit from church. Pastors are not able to perform their leadership and have disputes. Some even bring in the cult namely "Eastern Flash of Lightning ". I beg that you can help us "stand in the gap of the land". Please pray for us and also pray to God to raise pastors and faithful servants in every place of China.

(#10822 Nei Mongol, response to "Good Shepherd", "The Rainbow", "In Touch" and "Voice of Friendship Seminary")

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