Remember Ambassadors

Even the stunning brightness of the Pacific sun cannot outshine the light of Christ that I have seen this week. We have talked to so many brothers in Christ, with so many unbelievable stories, that I don't even know where to begin.

One brother escaped authorities cracking down on his Christianity by running, as they shot at him. Another has spent multiple times in jail, because he was a house church pastor. And one was a young man, converted three years ago, and in spite of the fact that he is a self-proclaimed “baby in Christ,” he is ready to put everything on the line for his Savior.

China is a changing country. The economy is changing, the international eye is providing more scrutiny on the communist government. The summer Olympics are causing that government to brutally crack down on Christians. Just tonight, in fact, we got word of more house church raids!

But that is not all that is happening in China. Because there are those that are willing to put their lives on the line, the gospel is growing – growing by leaps and bounds. One brother told us about the revival that has not only started, but has blossomed into a full blown, if highly secret, movement on the mainland.

I questioned him on this revival, because I have read many stories about it, but never heard first-hand news. He spoke excitedly, his otherwise stoic face brightening in to a smile as he over and over used that exciting word - “revival.”

And then he said something that made me stop. I wasn't sure I had heard him right, so I asked a rather direct question: “Do you think that the revival is a result of the persecution that Christians have experienced?”

The answer was without hesitation, as he looked at me as if he was surprised I would even ask such a question.

Yes.

Pray for them. Pray that they stand strong, and that the light that shines so brightly here would illuminate the world's most populous nation with its glow.

To me, they are heroes of the faith.

To the Chinese government, they are hated criminals.

Here, they are simply called "the Brothers."

They are the leaders of tomorrow's underground house church, and they are intimately familiar with persecution - persecution they have suffered, that their loved ones have experienced, and that they have seen in the members of their churches.

So far we have been able to meet them briefly, in an informal setting, and the first thing that I was struck with is just how young they are.  These men are not wizened saints who experienced persecution in the past; this is today's generation, facing today's persecution.  They are the up and coming, knowing that as they inherit the vibrant house church movement from its current leaders, they also inherit its persecution.

Many have already experienced persecution of their own, and we are here to get their stories to share with you.  I can't wait to begin to film them - stay tuned for more!

Even before our China travelers returned home, we have been busy planning the next step in our ministry to the persecuted underground church in that enormous country.  The need is so vast that it is really hard to know where to begin, but God is opening for us a very specific, very overwhelming door to partner with pastors from the underground church itself.

The travel delays in the trip that just returned caused that team to be unable to meet with many of these pastors.  God blessed their trip in spite of the delay, resulting in stories and testimonies that will bless many.  But a follow-up trip is necessary in order to grasp the full potential of this opening door.

For that reason, I'm heading to the Pacific to, Lord willing, finish this first phase.  There will be two of us going to record the testimonies of Chinese pastors that have suffered intense persecution themselves - and whose leadership is the key to successful ministry to currently persecuted believers in China. 

We're not going to China itself; that part is done.  We're going to a remote island where these pastors are ready to speak to us about their experiences living for Christ in China - before they return to their homelands and continue to carry the gospel through the fires of persecution.  The footage I've already seen has broken my heart for the plight of these believers, and these stories will be no different.  I cannot wait to share these stories with you as we work together to bless the Body of Christ.

We are leaving Thursday, and the trip will span a week.  Please pray for us, and stay tuned for updates! 

The China trip is back on the ground in the US, and in spite of the travel delays, it was a success.  I'm positive that this success is due to your prayers; the evidence of the spiritual opposition to the work of the trip was overwhelming.  But God's power prevailed, and we will have much to share with you.

I have only begun to watch the footage, but it is riveting.  These stories are nothing short of incredible, and the lives behind the stories are inspiring.  These Christians live their faith; they have to, because even admitting this faith can land them in unbelievable suffering.

While there are many more updates to come, there is nothing better to begin than this.  When asked what we could pray for, Pastor "Josh" replied,

Compared with other Christians around the world, including some foreign missionaries in China that died for Christ as martyrs in China, we have begun a little suffering by God's grace.  I want you to pray for our country.  You see, it appears that China prospers, but actually most Chinese people are suffering.  So many Chinese, more and more, want an opportunity to hear the gospel, but the workers are really very few.  We need to pray for  China, that God will call and send more Chinese Christians to stand up and become servants of Jesus Christ.

The China trip got off to a slow start when a cracked airplane windshield led to long hours of delay.  Long hours, thanks to full flights, turned in to long days of delay for our travelers.  But I am grateful to say that they have been able to spend the last couple of days in China!

The long delays, though, have cut out some of the ministry that we were hoping they would be able to do.  Because of the lost days, sensitive nature of the work, and the challenge on Chinese infrastructure caused by the earthquake, they have been limited in the number of people that they have been able to meet and develop ministry contacts with.

But all is not lost - far from it.  We are confident that the Lord has even airline delays in His hands, and will lead Remember to exactly the ministry He would have for us.  Please pray for guidance, direction, and opportunity for our travelers as they have a few more days overseas - and pray that their return trip will be far less of a hassle than the outbound leg.

I was alarmed to read of this weekend's violence in Sudan.  Violence in Darfur is tragically normal these days, but these clashes were very different, and could have a direct impact on the work that we are doing in Kadugli.

This violence has taken place in the capitol city of Khartoum, where rebels from the Darfur region have attacked the government, causing many areas of the Sudanese capitol to be shut down, including cut bridges and closed roads.  While Remember has not worked with the Darfur genocide specifically, these recent developments could directly impact our work first by hindering the actions of our local contacts, dependent on Sudan's already tenuous transportation infrastructure, and in the increased build up of military forces in Kordofan, where we are basing our work.  It could further damage the shaky peace situation, which would have a direct, powerful, and tragic impact on suffering Christians in the country.

Pray for Sudan.