Imagine a city as large as Louisville, Ky., with only a handful of Christians
and very few churches.
Imagine a city as large as Louisville, Ky., with only a handful of Christians
and very few churches.
Indeed, perhaps there are no churches.
There are more than 200 such cities in China, a nation of 1.6
billion people – and tremendous spiritual needs.
To help meet those needs, Southern Baptist missions leaders
are focusing resources on the largest of Chinese cities – including more
than 100 that have populations surpassing 1 million people.
That means entire cities as large as New Orleans are “too
small” to be placed on the Southern Baptist International Mission Board
priority city listings.
These “medium-sized” cities have growing populations
– but only a handful of local Christians and no concerted witness.
However, a new strategy may help change that, missions leaders
say.
Under the approach, individual Southern Baptist churches are
beginning to adopt the “medium-sized” Chinese cities – and make
a commitment to do all they can to share the gospel with their residents.
In the last six months, three churches have “adopted”
10 of the cities – and additional adoptions are underway.
An adoption begins with church leaders who travel to a prospective
city and spend two days praying for the locale, roaming the streets and gaining
a vision for the spiritual needs of the area.
A “scouting tour” of additional church members then
travel to the city and spend time learning as much as they can about it, while
praying for direction in how best to reach the people there for Christ.
Because most of the cities are off the beaten tourist path,
the task is not easy. However, the rewards are great, leaders and participants
insist. Indeed, the first few scouting groups that have traveled into the cities
report that God has preceded them and has “people of peace” waiting
for them.
For instance, one group was approached by a 22-year-old young
woman named Mei Ling, who was so excited about seeing westerners in her city
that she just wanted to talk with them. The group was preparing to climb to
a high pagoda to pray over the city. Although the young lady was not aware of
their purpose in ascending to the high place, she offered to accompany them.
But at the bottom of the hill, Mei Ling hesitated, saying she
was afraid to climb to the top. She explained that a young couple had killed
themselves there in a lovers suicide pact, she was fearful that she would
encounter ghosts on the mountain.
The group took advantage of this open door to explain that
they were not afraid, because they had the Spirit of God in their hearts. She
climbed with the group. At the top, she offered to sing some Chinese songs for
the group and requested they also sing.
The visitors sang, “I Love You Lord,” which Mei Ling
asked them to sing again and again. Then, they shared their faith.
Mei Ling subsequently entertained the visitors in her home
during the next four days, introducing them to her friends and showing them
around her city. Four days after initially hearing the gospel, Mei Ling prayed
to accept Christ into her heart.
Now committed to making numerous trips to the Chinese city,
group members say they are confident Mei Lings decision was be the first
of thousands to come.
To that end, their church will be sending teachers, business
people and other professionals who can relate in various ways to the city during
the next few years. The visitors will share the needs of the city with others
as well. They will do so until a fulltime advocate and strategizer is called
of God, equipped and available to take the reins of leadership in reaching the
city.
Other cities are waiting for churches to make similar commitments,
leaders say.
However, churches that embrace the city adoption plan should
definitely feel a strong sense of Gods leading and be willing to accept
the challenge of entering China almost on their own, they stress.
“This assignment is not for the nominally committed,”
one leaders explained. “Nor is it for the weak of heart.”
Although a missions representative with experience in China
will accompany a churchs first group, all other travel and ministry coordination
is the responsibility of the “adoptive” church, leaders explain. Experienced
China workers will serve in a supportive role through prayer, encouragement
and provision of resource materials.
The challenge is not a small one.
However, just as it is unthinkable that God would write off
a New Orleans, it is equally unfathomable that he would turn his back on more
than 200 cities of China, missions leaders emphasize.
And he has not, they add.
He simply has left the job of reaching them to concerned Christians.
(BP)