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SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS ON

Serving the Persecuted Church Worldwide | July 2020 Refuges & Fortresses Commentary by Doug J. McKenzie, CEO Emeritus for VOMC

“Illuminated by His limitless glory, which is absent of shadows, we then find ourselves in a refuge of light and truth!” ~ Doug McKenzie

he so-called “power brokers of the earth” are As will be acknowledged by historians and Biblical Tlining up to demand and command an unequal, scholars one day, we are being sheltered by the if not gluttonous and presumed share of our tor- strength and limitless power of God’s Word in part- mented planet and the beliefs of its inhabitants. nership with the Holy Spirit, as He motivates the Within the scope of this ideological and territorial establishment of a “stronghold” for our protection. “land grab,” there comes a desperate shedding of This stronghold extends to the outer limits of cre- respect for an immensely more powerful “Creator” ation and beyond, laying waste to every falsehood in and the life-oriented rich “Kingdom stories,” as its wake. expressed by Jesus to His friends and to all of us who have ears to hear His Word…and eyes to see “In God is my salvation and His great light! my glory; the rock of my strength, The Bible, for example, is literally resplendent with and my refuge, is in God.” analogies and references to humankind taking refuge Psalm 62:7 NKJV in fortresses that are designed to repel the physical attacks of the enemy of God’s people. Our Lord With the backdrop of today’s “crazy and broken” and God, in counterbalance to such brutal attempts world, picture the following scene with me…. at bringing about the annihilation of His people, is Sometimes the darkest days are hidden behind the faithful to every Godly word and promise that has most intense light of dawn as it encroaches upon and ever been made or yet to be made. obliterates the night. Awakening to the hope of the Lord’s most revealing and liberating truths, we can “The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; safely abide in Him and hide behind the indestruc- My shield and the horn of my salvation, tible walls of His Kingdom fortresses. My stronghold and my refuge; My Saviour, You save me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22:3 NKJV Shutterstock: Neuschwanstein Castle by S-F

2 VOM Canada | July 2020 The Voice of the Martyrs P.O. Box 608 Streetsville, ON L5M 2C1 Tel: 905-670-9721 Toll Free: 1-888-298-6423 Fax: 905-670-0246 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.vomcanada.com Founders: Klaas and Nellie Brobbel with Pastor Richard Wurmbrand Chief Executive Officer Emeritus: Doug J. McKenzie Chief Executive Officer: Floyd A. Brobbel Editor-in-Chief: Karyn Marianne VOMC ads: Merrin John Graphic Design: Ampersand Shutterstock: titoonz Special thanks to the International Ministry team. Illuminated by His limitless glory, which is absent of shadows, we then find ourselves in a refuge of light and truth! The goals of VOMC are expressed in our “Ministry Purposes” as follows: “O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in 1. To encourage and empower Christians to the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to You from fulfill the Great Commission. the ends of the earth and say, ‘Surely our fathers have 2. To give relief to families of Christian martyrs.

inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things.’” 3. To undertake projects of encouragement, Jeremiah 16:19 NKJV helping persecuted Christians rebuild their lives and witness.

Who then shall we fear? Our God will 4. To equip persecuted Christians to love and lead their enemies (persecutors) to Christ. never fail in His relentless persistence to defend the light and His limitless capacity 5. To promote the fellowship of all Christian believers. to triumph in the face of all carnal adver- sity, forever and ever. Amen. 6. To infuse, distribute and exhibit to the Canadian church constituency the faith and testimony of those Christians in the world Faithfully, who are persecuted for Christ. 7. To give voice to those Christians whose cries of pain and proclamation of praise would otherwise go unheard.

Spending of funds is confined to board-approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board-approved program or project will be used as designated with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most. Gifts from individual donors of $10 and more are acknowledged and receipted with an official receipt for income tax purposes.

The Voice of the Martyrs magazine is the flagship publication of The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada. Published monthly, it is available free of charge and without obligation in one-year subscriptions to anyone in Canada who requests it.

Recycle your newsletter: share it with a friend! The Church in China “Bearing the Cross; Proclaiming the Gospel”

very Sunday at the appointed time, a moderator church members to sign false confessions, detain- Esets up a private online meeting, and usernames ing and torturing them to the point that some have begin to appear on the screen as church members considered suicide. Yet, even though their lead pastor join the video feed. But this church hasn’t just begun was imprisoned, the congregation courageously con- meeting online temporarily in order to protect tinued to gather for worship prior to the onset of the people from the coronavirus. As is the case of many global pandemic outbreak. Chinese congregations, these members are refusing While some are now afraid to be associated with to be silenced by the Communist government. the church, most of Early Rain’s 500 members are While their official church building is now closed committed to bearing the cross of Christ and keep- and their pastor imprisoned, these dedicated fol- ing the faith – even if they have been forcefully ban- lowers of Christ are still lifting up their praises to ished to faraway hometowns or are under constant God, offering Him corporate prayers, and listen- surveillance as policemen continually monitor their ing attentively to the preaching of His timeless apartment doors. Shortly before church elder Li Word. Unfortunately, in China, participating in such Yingqiang was arrested, he encouraged the church church-related activities is also considered criminal. with these words: “How wonderful it would be if, The Early Rain Covenant Church of Chengdu because of this suffering, we might be able to give off has refused to surrender the central practices of the the sweet fragrance of the Gospel!” Christian faith, despite experiencing intense pres- sure from China’s Communist government over the The Beginnings of the Chinese Church years. Government authorities have forced various The Early Rain Covenant Church began in 2004

4 VOM Canada | July 2020 as a home-based Bible study, eventually becoming become too visible nationally and risked embarrass- an independent (yet illegal) church in 2008. Wang ing local officials. Yi, who was appointed head pastor the following By the mid-90s, many Chinese house churches, year, was an attorney and law professor at Chengdu located primarily in rural parts of the country, were University when he became a believer in 2004. By allowed to function with little government interfer- April 2006, he was such a prominent member of ence. In the past two decades, however, non-TSPM the movement that he and two other churches have arisen in China’s urban centres, with Chinese Christians were invited to speak with memberships swelling into the hundreds and thou- President George W. Bush sands. Many of these about supporting religious urban churches, until freedom in China. recently, met openly in While small pockets of rented office spaces, hotel Christians have existed meeting rooms and, in in China for more than some cases, private church a century, the church was properties. Early Rain, driven underground fol- with its gifted seminary- lowing the 1949 Chinese trained leaders, was one Communist Revolution led of the congregations by Chairman Mao Zedong. established during this Small groups of Christians period of rapid urban who were dissatisfied church growth. with the government- run Three-Self Patriotic Committed to Movement (TSPM) church, Christ Regardless which had been established of the Cost to ensure allegiance to the From the outset, Early new Communist Party, Rain was intentionally began meeting in homes or open about its worship outdoors. These Christians and missional position suffered terribly as a result within Chengdu, and Pastor Wang Yi, holding the church's declaration, of the Cultural Revolution three months before his arrest. across the nation as a from 1966 to 1976, when whole. The church pub- Mao Zedong tried to reform the Communist Party lished its sermons on the Internet and in its printed and eradicate . The Communists sen- weekly bulletins, also including its name on the ele- tenced Christians to long prison terms on false espio- vator buttons of the building where the services were nage charges, torturing and killing many. conducted. The church’s strategy was to hide nothing After enduring continued harsh persecution from the government and hold fast to its Christian throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the house church convictions. “The Bible teaches us that in all matters movement in China entered a period of dramatic relating to the Gospel and human conscience, we growth, particularly in the country’s vast rural areas. must obey God and not men,” Wang Yi wrote. Though the house churches were (and remain) ille- Early Rain was known among Chinese house gal, local officials often left them alone unless they churches for its emphasis on evangelism and mercy caused problems or became too outspoken. Because missions, distinctives generally avoided by churches of China’s enormous size, which made it difficult wanting to stay off the government’s radar. In addi- to enforce policies consistently, federal authorities tion, the church was publicly critical of the poorly granted local officials great leeway in interpret- built government school buildings that collapsed dur- ing the laws regarding religion. The treatment of ing the 2018 Sichuan earthquake, killing thousands of Christians, therefore, varied widely from city to city children. Church leaders also spoke out against abor- and province to province. When churches did expe- tion and denounced the TSPM church for cooperating rience persecution, it was often because they had with the atheistic Chinese government.

July 2020 | VOM Canada 5 “Precisely because none of my words and actions the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. At official TSPM are directed toward seeking and hoping for societal churches, pastors must now submit their sermons to and political transformation, I have no fear of any authorities before preaching their messages. social or political power,” Wang Yi explained. “I also understand that this happens to be the very reason The Pressure Increases why the Communist regime is filled with fear at a Government officials have closed many primary church that is no longer afraid of it.” schools operated by churches and issued notices for- bidding minors from receiving religious education. The “ of Christianity” Foreigners with any hint of a connection to a reli- In 2013, Xi Jinping became general secretary of the gious entity have been deported, and house churches Communist Party of China and, therefore, president that had once been meeting quite openly in large of the People’s Republic of China. As president, he groups have now been banned. Church members has centralized power and urged the nation to guard must sing the Communist anthem at the beginning against “infiltration” through religion and extrem- of every worship service and are required to hang ist ideologies. In September pictures of President Xi Jinping 2017, the Chinese State Council on the walls. issued new regulations on the Facial recognition cameras, “Administration of Religious pointed towards the audience, are Affairs.” The Communist Party now required inside church audi- of China then absorbed the gov- toriums. When Beijing’s largest ernment bureau responsible for house church, Zion Church, regulating religious life. refused to install the cameras, the In March 2018, the Three- government closed the church. Self Patriotic Movement and Another prominent unregistered the China Christian Council, Beijing church, Shouwang, closed another government-sanctioned in March after a nine-year battle entity, launched a five-year plan with authorities. Throughout promoting the “Sinicization of this time the church’s pastor Christianity.” Sinicization is remained under house arrest. the process of bringing every- Damazhan Church, a house thing under the influence of church established in 1950, was Chinese culture. The plan pro- closed on December 15th, 2018. poses retranslating the Bible and The church’s previous pastor, Authorities have even demolished rewriting Biblical commentar- official Three-Self Churches. (1924-2013), was ies to introduce Buddhist and a leader of the house church Confucian teachings into the Old Testament and pro- movement who spent 20 years in prison for refusing vide additional commentary on the New Testament to register the church. Many smaller churches face the to draw parallels with socialism. It also advocates same sort of persecution, but their closures often go “incorporating Chinese features into church worship unnoticed. services, hymns and songs, the clergy’s attire, and the One of the major initiatives of the Regulations on architectural style of church buildings.” Religious Affairs involves the severing of Chinese Bob Fu, of the China Aid Association, believes this churches from foreign support and influence. As plan has initiated “the worst persecution in China since a result, well-known churches like Early Rain and the end of the Cultural Revolution.” Throughout the Damazhan were closely monitored, making it diffi- country, officials have removed crosses from church cult for the global body of Christ to provide outside buildings, even those of government-sanctioned support. In Guangzhou and other cities, officials churches. Authorities have also begun to offer house have offered financial rewards for information on churches a form of “legal” registration, which many see “illegal religious activity” or foreigners involved as a thinly veiled attempt to gather the names of church in religious activity. One church after another has members and pressure house churches into joining been closed and, in the process, authorities detained

6 VOM Canada | July 2020 “For the sake of the Gospel, we are prepared to bear all losses, even the loss of our freedom and our lives.”

After multiple church closings, arrests and threats, most churches in China have stopped meeting in large groups, opting for smaller, more discreet worship services. many pastors, lawyers and lay leaders, some of whom tions and costs for our Lord Jesus Christ – to go to received fines and lengthy prison sentences. Still oth- jail or be sentenced or beaten or killed. We are will- ers, like Early Rain’s Pastor Wang Yi, simply disap- ing to entrust ourselves to God.” peared into police custody. (To date, officials have After enduring months of government persecution, not released information on his exact location.) Early Rain’s leaders prayerfully decided it was time Ben Chen, a Chinese American seminary professor, to speak up. On September 1st, 2018, they published, was expelled from China in July 2018 after preaching A Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith, which at Early Rain. Police accused him of being a traitor emphasized the supremacy of God, the authority and to his country by becoming a Christian and teach- inerrancy of the Bible, and the role of the church. It ing at the church. By this point, pressure had already concluded with this bold statement: “For the sake of been increasing steadily on Early Rain. In May 2018, the Gospel, we are prepared to bear all losses, even when the church held a prayer service for those the loss of our freedom and our lives.” Pastor Wang affected by the Sichuan earthquake, police raided the Yi’s name was first on the list of signatories, followed meeting and confiscated more than 10,000 Bibles, by the names of many other pastors and leaders of books and CDs. Their attempts to intimidate Early unregistered churches throughout the country. To Rain and force it to close were ineffective, however, date, 439 Chinese pastors have signed the declara- because the church’s leadership had already begun to tion, publicly opposing the government’s campaign prepare the congregation for suffering. Its stalwart against religious freedom. church members would not succumb to coercion. Officials Raid Early Rain Church The Church Stands Firm On December 9th, 2018, police in Chengdu carried A month later, when authorities raided church out a massive raid against Early Rain, shutting down member An Yankui’s home and detained him for the church-operated school, the seminary, as well as the questioning, he encouraged other church members church’s main site. In the span of three days, authorities in an online forum: “We will not stop our gather- arrested more than 100 congregation members. Hours ing…but are prepared to bear all possible persecu- before his arrest, church elder Li Yingqiang wrote a let-

July 2020 | VOM Canada 7 ter to the congregation: “Thank the Lord!” he wrote. “Just as the year 2018 is about to end, God has given us a reward in the form of this largescale persecution….” He then instructed the church to face persecution according to 1 Peter 4:12-14, “Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings…,” and then concluded with a reminder of the church’s mission statement: “Christ is the Lord. Grace is the King. Bear the cross. Proclaim the Gospel.” Pastor Wang Yi and his wife, Jing Rong, were both detained, accused of “inciting subversion of state power.” Other church leaders, including Li Yingqiang, were accused of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” Days after the raid, Early Rain published Pastor Wang Yi’s Declaration of Faithful Disobedience, which he had written in October with instructions that it be published if he were to be detained for more than 48 hours: “I firmly believe Cheng Jie spent two years in prison for her work leading a that Christ has called me to carry out this faithful church-run kindergarten, similar to the one operated by Early Rain. disobedience through a life of service, under this regime that opposes the Gospel and persecutes the The pastor’s wife, Jing Rong, was released six church.” months after her arrest, but remains under house In the months that followed, the church was arrest and is denied the opportunity to communicate declared illegal, seminary students were sent back with anyone. Li Yingqiang was released on bail in to their hometowns and, in addition to Early Rain’s August 2019 and returned to Hubei province with main church, its four satellite sites were closed. his family. However, he must report to the police Whenever believers tried to gather, the police con- station regularly while his case is pending. All of the tinued responding by harassing and arresting mem- more than 300 Early Rain Church members who bers, shutting down their meetings, and sometimes were arrested since 2018 have since been released, beating those in attendance. One woman was beaten with the exception of elder Qin Defu (sentenced to so severely that she lost her unborn child. four years in prison) and Pastor Wang Yi (sentenced Other church members seized the attacks and to a prison term of nine years). Wang Yi’s sentence is interrogations as opportunities to share the Gospel. the longest given to a house church pastor in more They had been taught how to react when under than ten years. questioning. “By the grace and help of the Lord, try “If God decides to use the persecution of this to turn the interrogation process into a process of Communist regime against the church to help more evangelism,” read a post on the church’s online plat- Chinese people…know Jesus,” Wang Yi wrote in his form. Some church members witnessed jailers come Declaration, “then I am joyfully willing to submit to to faith in Christ and the hearts of policemen soften God’s plans, for His plans are always benevolent and toward the Gospel after hearing the testimony of the good.” believers’ lives. The Current Situation Even during the global coronavirus pandemic, the “By the grace and help of the Lord, government is showing no signs of backing away from its five-year plan to sinicize Christianity. More try to turn the interrogation process arrests, raids, church closures, and even demolitions of church buildings occur each month. If, however, into a process of evangelism.” China is entering a second period of extreme perse- cution, such as that of the brutal Cultural Revolution ~ Advice of Early Rain’s church leaders when pastors were jailed for decades and the govern-

8 VOM Canada | July 2020 Pictured here is Pastor Wang Yi presiding over a church service in 2018. The Early Rain Covenant Church had about 500 members worshipping openly at various campuses in the city of Chengdu before they were all closed. ment sought to completely eliminate Christianity, refinement for the maturing of the Chinese church. this time the church is prepared. “Christians in Although some have left the faith or chosen to wor- China are better prepared for persecution today ship discretely from home, many more are firmly because more believers have their own copy of God’s committed to courageously following Christ despite Word,” reports VOM’s Regional Director for the Asia persecution. “Persecution itself is evil to the people Pacific region. “They have seen the fruit of their of God,” Ben Chen states, “but [we] rejoice that the predecessors’ faithfulness in enduring persecution.” Gospel can be spread…. As the church cherishes the holding of the Gospel more dearly, [Christianity] can Having already endured difficult persecution continue growing.” before this most recent crackdown, many large urban churches made plans to divide into smaller groups Chinese Christians need our faithful prayers and support more than ever. They must remain faithful to if necessary. This has resulted in fewer churches Christ alone as their government tries to dilute the being raided or shut down in 2019 simply because Gospel by incorporating Chinese culture into various the larger groups no longer existed, and the alterna- aspects of Christianity. They must understand that tive smaller gatherings were less detectable. While their Christian faith exists above any allegiance to nearly all Chinese churches have abandoned the country or culture. Many believers, like those at Early large-group format, they haven’t fully relinquished Rain Covenant Church of Chengdu, are prepared to meeting for worship. They simply do so in smaller confront persecution through sound teaching and the groups or by using technology to create online meet- work of the Holy Spirit. In the words of Li Yingqiang, ing spaces. “May the whole world know that we are joyfully will- This new era of persecution may be a period of ing to receive this persecution.”

July 2020 | VOM Canada 9 Shutterstock: sleepingpanda

An encouraging report by Paul Hattaway of Asia Harvest, Panoramic skyline of one of VOMC’s credible ministry partners. Wuhan city, China

the time of the initial COVID-19 lockdown, ideology, even amid the crisis. Paranoid Communist At several of our ministry team members had authorities have even taken the opportunity to let been visiting an area of Asia that was increasingly people know that their facial recognition technology being impacted by the coronavirus infection. After works just as well when people are wearing masks! remaining there for several weeks, the number of As fear and trepidation spread throughout the world infected people rapidly increased daily, causing anxi- along with the virus, we would like to encourage all ety levels to grow along with it. Despite many flights believers to focus on our Lord Jesus Christ, "For God being cancelled, we are thankful that we were able to has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love leave the area feeling strong and healthy. and of a sound mind."1 Many people have asked us how the virus is affect- If you have placed your trust in Jesus, please don't ing Chinese churches in the city of Wuhan and other lose heart over the darkness that is enveloping the areas throughout China. Ironically, the brutal persecu- world around you. The exhortation for God's people tion launched by President Xi over the past few years to "fear not" or "be of good courage" appears 366 times has helped prepare China’s house churches for the throughout the Bible – that’s one for every day of the current situation. Thousands of large congregations year, plus an extra one for the leap year! were broken down into small groups of five or six Rather than worrying about what might go wrong, believers, who have been meeting together for prayer the Lord wants His children to continue looking and Bible study in their homes. to Him in faith, because fear and faith cannot exist Since the virus began, some Chinese churches have together; the stronger of the two will always prevail. set up online services. However, many of their web- Our job is to set our eyes on Jesus and His Kingdom, sites and social media sites have been shut down by for "without faith it is impossible to please God."2 governmental leaders who haven't relaxed their atheist To counteract fear, great encouragement is given to

10 VOM Canada | July 2020 Although our lives appear to be disrupted for some time because of the effects of the pandemic, God has not yet finished His work in or through each of our lives.

the followers of Christ through God’s Word. Please Lord Jesus Himself exhorted, "As long as it is day, we pause for a moment and let these words of our Lord must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming sink into your heart: "Are not five sparrows sold for two when no one can work."6 pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, All the projects of Asia Harvest are continuing to the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be provide ministry throughout Asia, although a few afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."3 adjustments have been made because of the virus and We know many elderly Christians who are within the lockdown of entire regions. We believe that, in the age group most at risk of complications from time, this pandemic will pass, and the Kingdom of COVID-19. Even still, let us all remember that the God will have progressed according to His perfect extent of our lives is not controlled by the devil, nor timetable. evil men, pestilences or plagues. It is our Heavenly Let us give thanks to God with grateful hearts, pray- Father who ultimately controls our lives! His Word ing His purposes will be fulfilled in our communities declares: "A person's days are determined; you have and around the world. If you still find yourself unable decreed the number of his months and have set limits he to meet in structured church services, the Chinese cannot exceed."4 Recorded in the Scriptures are also church encourages you to meet with God person- these affirming words, "Your eyes saw my unformed ally and online while remaining in the safety of your body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your homes. book before one of them came to be."5 As you open your Bibles and worship Him, may So, dear friends, let's not fear! God is, and always you find what tens of millions of Christians in China will be, in total control. Although our lives appear to have discovered: 1) "The Most High does not live in 7 Panoramic skyline of be disrupted for some time because of the effects of houses made by human hands" ; and 2) "The eyes of the Wuhan city, China the pandemic, God has not yet finished His work in Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose and through each of our lives. Therefore, let us keep hearts are fully committed to Him.8 Commit your life serving Him while we have the opportunity. For the fully to God, for He is fully committed to you.

Let us give thanks to God with grateful hearts, praying His purposes will be fulfilled in our communities and around the world.

Scripture References 1 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV 2 Hebrews 11:6 NIVUK 3 Luke 12:6-7 NIVUK 4 Job 14:5 NIVUK 5 Psalm 139:16 NIVUK 6 John 9:4 NIVUK 7 Acts 7:48 NIVUK 8 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIVUK

July 2020 | VOM Canada 11 CHINA: Sunday School in a Box By VOMC Project Partner

Chairman Mao Zedong's wife, Jiang Qing, once ernment continues to refine and strengthen its perse- said, "In China, religion has entered the History cution of Christians. The Chinese Communist Party Museum." For China's current president, Xi Jinping, (CCP) most notably demonstrates its anti-Christian there should be no trace of , agenda by seeking to sow seeds of “loyalty” within the even in the History Museum. "Great Cleansing," hearts of children toward the regime. "Loyalty," these which happens to be the name of President Xi's Communist leaders declare, "is the soul and lifeblood movement, adequately describes the persecution fac- of the children." ing Chinese Christians today. As a result, it is illegal for minors to enter church The year 2018 marked a new wave of Christian buildings and attend church summer camps. In fact, persecution in China – a coordinated countrywide the restrictions are so severe, Sunday schools are offensive against the church in both its registered and banned throughout the country and parents cannot unregistered forms. Since that point, the Chinese gov- even bring their infants to church. Additionally, the

...it is illegal for minors to enter church build- ings and attend church summer camps. In fact, the restrictions are so severe, Sunday schools are banned throughout the country and parents cannot even bring their infants to church.

Church members tried gathering together in their communities, but many of these believers were subsequently detained.

12 VOM Canada | July 2020 So far, over 2,000 boxes have been distributed to Christian families throughout China.

Education Bureau has issued official notices to kinder- Throughout the centuries, a Christ-centred home was gartens, primary schools, and secondary schools, stat- referred to as the "small church," a place where each ing that students are not allowed to participate in any member was trained to preach, pray and sing. religious activities. The Chinese That's why the Sunday School government is clearly trying to in a Box project is so vital. Each eliminate Christianity by pro- box contains an easy-to-use hibiting the next generation of comprehensive Sunday school Chinese citizens from hearing program specially designed to and experiencing the Gospel of assist Chinese Christian parents Jesus Christ. with the spiritual training of their However, Christianity has children (and others) within the never truly thrived when church sanctuary of their homes. leaders focus primarily on the So far, over 2,000 boxes have establishment of elaborate build- been distributed to Christian ings or highly organized chil- families throughout China. Not dren's programs facilitated by only do these boxes contain chil- paid professionals. In the midst dren’s Bibles, but also additional of persecution, the Gospel mes- discipleship materials – including sage has instead flourished in several helpful curriculum-based places like prison cells, desolate Sign indicating government ban, prohibiting digital resources. Essentially, with forests, and especially in the children from attending church. each Sunday School in a Box, the individual homes of believ- church of today’s youth in China ers. Overall, the Christian home has proven to be is being birthed and equipped in what can be the most the most foundational element of every church. powerful and foundational place of all – the home!

July 2020 | VOM Canada 13 China’s Internment Camps PrayerFOR CHINESE CHRISTIANS Much has been reported about internment Heavenly Father, thank You for responding to the camps for Uyghur Muslims in northeastern tears of Your people. May they experience Your China. However, Christians, Buddhists, Kazakhs, comforting presence and be further encouraged Han Chinese and other people groups perceived by the mutual love shared among fellow believers to be threats to the Communist government are and their fellowship together – especially during also imprisoned in the camps. these difficult times. A Han Chinese Christian Bless each believer who is facing persecution couple who left their home with a reverential fear of You so they will not to plant churches among fear the threat of earthly powers. Give those Muslims in the Xinjiang who are imprisoned behind bars the confidence Uyghur Autonomous and strength to be as bold as Your disciples, Region were imprisoned Peter and Paul. Guard them against the tempta- for two years due to their tion to harbour hatred and resentment toward Christian work. The those who mistreat them. couple, who led an unreg- istered house church, were Lord, keep Your suffering people from losing arrested and pressured to heart. Grant wisdom to those who are experienc- sign statements rejecting ing pressure, guiding them by the voice of Your their Christian faith. When Holy Spirit so they will know which way to turn. they refused, they were Fill them with a great sense of peace and purpose. imprisoned in a re-educa- tion camp. Also reveal Yourself to those who are exercising The couple spent most of their time each day any form of political power – including China’s sitting rigidly on a stool in a large room as gov- president, Communist officials, police officers, ernment propaganda repeatedly droned from prison guards and others. Enlighten them to the loudspeakers. They were finally released and truth of the Gospel so they may acknowledge warned to keep quiet about their experience in You – the Almighty Creator and Eternal King – the camp. Although now under heavy surveil- as their personal Saviour and Lord. lance, this couple remains Through this storm of persecution, may Your committed to serving the people continue to serve as faithful witnesses, Lord. testifying of Your great transforming power for Christians through- the sake of Your glory and the furtherance of out China are subject Your Kingdom. Amen. to Communist indoctri- nation, not only in the re-education camps but also in prisons, govern- ment schools and society at large. One goal of the Chinese prison system is to reform the prisoners into compliant citizens; those who fully subscribe to Communist ideology. Based on more than 800 documented arrests of Christians in 2017 and 2018, it is fair to estimate that several thousand Christians are currently imprisoned in China where they are being subjected to daily indoctrination.

14 VOM Canada | July 2020 Prayer More helpful resources are available at: vomcanada.com/catalogue

An Asian God’s Double Agent Harvest $15 $15 Tens of millions of Christians live in China Leaving his home in today, leading double lives to hide from a New Zealand at age government that relentlessly persecutes them. 16, Paul Hattaway Former dissident Bob Fu happened to be one found himself in of these believers. By day, he was a teacher in a Australia – homeless, Communist school; by night, a preacher in an hungry and lonely – underground house church network. sleeping atop the roof The book, God’s Double Agent, recounts the of a public bathroom. “A waste of oxygen” captivating story of Bob’s conversion to Christianity, his arrest and was his high school principal’s assessment imprisonment for starting an illegal house church, his harrowing of the teen. escape from China, and his subsequent rise to prominence as an After a fellow factory worker helped advocate for the oppressed Christians of this greatly populated Paul find faith in Christ, the young wan- Asian nation. Hardcover, 336 pages derer quickly became convinced that God was calling him to China. In 1988, Paul arrived in Hong Kong with nothing more Restricted Nations: China than a backpack, a single contact, and $50 $7 in his pocket. While there, he began to This brief historical overview offers a glimpse work as a Bible courier, carrying hundreds of the afflictions and overcoming courage of at a time across the Chinese border and Christians in China. Read how the Gospel under the noses of the guards. message has persevered through the faithful Today Paul Hattaway leads Asia Harvest, witness of Christ’s steadfast followers. You will the ministry he founded, which supports be encouraged to stand firm in your own faith thousands of indigenous missionaries and and further equipped to pray effectively for has supplied over ten million Bibles to believers who face similar challenges today. China, and millions more to Christians Softcover, 112 pages throughout Asia. An Asian Harvest is his astonishing story. Paperback, 315 pages Shutterstock: TDway

July 2020 | VOM Canada 15