MARCH 2015

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Day challenges facing Chinese companies which are Innovation and 1 on the path of international development. Leadership The first is the Chinese habit of copying. “The esus said: “For the sons of this world are more practice of copying and producing fakes is so Jshrewd in their generation than the sons of entrenched in Chinese culture that there’s even a light” (Luke 16:8). Are there then lessons that the word for it - Shanzhai.” Tapping tells of a Western Chinese church, called to be a significant new CEO who visited and was approached by force in the world missionary movement, can “one man in particular (who) was keen to meet learn from the experiences of secular businesses him, offering to meet any time of day or night.” in China? The man explained that in 2007 he had to set up a particular kind of business, working in co-operation with CCSM to match the needs inside China Leadership expert Steve Tappin but had no idea of how to do with the resources outside recently analysed the challenges that. So he had simply copied facing Chinese companies as they exactly the company owned by seek to grow and expand their the Western visitor, and wanted If you wish to donate: Mailing Address: PO Box 2046, Robinson Road influence into Western markets. to express to that CEO his Post Office, Singapore 904046 Please write cheque payable to “Antioch Missions” In an article called “China’s appreciation for that! Obviously Or by bank transfer to – Office Address: 5001 Beach Road, #04-01C Golden Mile Complex, Singapore 199588 Development Bank of Singapore Challenge: Moving From Copier the westerner’s reaction would Tel: 65-6392 1812 Current a/c no. 065-005675-5 To Innovator” on the BBC website, vary between puzzlement and DBS Bank Swift Code: DBS SSG SG Fax: 65-6392 1823 Bank Code: 7171 Email: [email protected] Tappin points to two strong outrage! Tappin also mentions Branch Code: 065 www.am.amccsm.org for internal circula tion only Seeking to Serve, Strengthen and Support the Church and People of China 2 | China Prayer Update China Prayer Update | 3 the fake Apple Stores that sprang up in 2011. Equally, the missionary element of the Chinese “In the future, students will be allowed to submit students concentrate on its core subjects from 21 such stores were discovered in the south of church needs to consider its management style, the scores of three subjects from a pool of six - the beginning of secondary school, giving them China alone. The US embassy estimates that 20% and reinvent its ideas on leadership from a Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History, Physics a very narrow educational focus… Under the of all consumer products in the Chinese market ruggedly Biblical perspective. The differences in and Politics - together with their mandatory proposed reforms, tens of millions of Chinese are counterfeit. culture, location and focus between the sender Chinese, Math and English scores,” the Beijing students, besides studying the three core subjects and the sent demand a new generation of Pauls Review continued. examined at national level, will now have the The challenge that Chinese firms face if they are linked to a new generation of Barnabases in the opportunity to select three other subjects… to expand abroad is the need to innovate and Chinese church. This year Shanghai Municipality and Zhejiang not just to copy. There are already successes Province are acting as testing grounds for Students will also be evaluated on their personal here, Tappin observes. For example Alibaba and If Lenovo and Wechat can succeed, then the reform. Students will be able to take and social qualities. This will require secondary Wechat (run by Tencent). “They have learnt from how much more should the Chinese church, examinations on subjects other than Maths and school students to present a record of information their western rivals but then developed and empowered by the Spirit of God and serving the Chinese twice between the 11th and 12th grades relating to moral standards, physical health, improved their services for the Chinese market”. risen Lord Jesus. and submit the highest score to their college general culture, such as hobbies, and social or As boss Victor Koo commented: Day applications. “Currently, 12th-graders’ last year community engagement and contribution, such “You have to adapt or else you won’t win. That’s Reforming the Gaokao 2 in high school is extremely stressful because as volunteering. The planned reforms send a really the essence of it.” of the gaokao. They have to work very hard on clear message to secondary school students and hina’s government has decided to reform its at least six subjects during that year. With the their teachers that a narrow focus on classroom The second challenge is that of management Cgaokao examination system. “The Ministry reform, they can distribute what they study into rote learning, together with a lack of engagement style. One Chinese leader said: “managing in of Education (MOE) announced specific reform with the wider community, may not be enough China means how to control people. We have to measures of the gaokao system on December 16, to ensure entry to higher education, which is so change the mindset, myself and all these Chinese asking universities not to base their judgment important for future life chances. The reform entrepreneurs, to encourage and lead people of applicants solely on scores but to make should have a major impact on the organisation rather than just manage or tell them what to do.” comprehensive assessments of applicants,” and management of secondary education in That will require hiring from overseas, especially according to the Beijing Review. China which, for almost 40 years, has been for facilities placed overseas. The world’s largest different periods, which will help them learn dominated by the gaokao.” PC firm, Lenovo,”has offices in more than 60 China’s Gaokao or college entrance examination each subject better,” commented Dai Xiaoping, Day countries and 40% of its board members are non- system was established in 1977. Since then, an expert with the Zhejiang Research Institute of Social-Economic Growth 3 Chinese.” Chinese universities and colleges have relied Education Science. solely on this annual examination when otal GDP in 2014 for China was 63.65 trillion There are surely lessons here for the Chinese considering applicants to their school. The The proposed changes “are likely to have a big Tyuan. For the first time, China has exceeded church if it is to succeed in its world mission system has been widely criticised for training impact on both individual Chinese students US$10 trillion to have the second largest GDP in mandate, its back to Jerusalem calling. It needs students to focus solely on test scores and to and on the country’s education system,” the world. However, last year’s growth of 7.4% to return to the Bible, and not just to copy memorize endless lists of textbook answers according to education experts at the China was slightly below the 7.5% targeted growth, western missionary methods, good though many instead of developing a sense of independent Policy Institute of the University of Nottingham. making her GDP growth lowest in the past 24 of them have been. and innovative thinking. “In order to secure a good grade in the gaokao, years. Twenty seven provinces did not meet their 4 | China Prayer Update China Prayer Update | 5 expected GDP growth. However, trend of migrating to the The new campaign to combat corruption in On the other hand, there seems to be an provinces like Shanghai, Beijing, cities remains on the rise. China under the leadership of the 18th Central alternative view at the grassroots level. For Canton, , Shenzhen and Committee of the Communist Party of China example, it is still commonly agreed that using Suzhou have GDP exceeding Basic monthly salary for has cracked down on illegal activities involving back doors, bribery, giving gifts etc are acceptable 1 trillion yuan. state and party leaders has both the “tigers” and the “flies”. This has won ways of doing business in China. There is also been adjusted upwards the hearts of the Chinese populace. Corrupt talk that these anti-corruption moves may cause There are eight provinces where from 7,020 yuan (US$112) officials above the rank of Deputy Provincial China’s economy to suffer and deteriorate. Such per capita income exceeds to 11,385 yuan (US$1,820), level from many states have been caught and strange talk is circulating among the common US$10,000. These include a startling increase of 62%. punished. These include Jilin, Zhejiang, Fujian, people in China. Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, The lowest administration Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang, Tibet and Beijing. Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Inner staff basic salary has already Of these states, Shanxi and Sichuan saw the May the Holy Spirit continue to burn brightly Mongolia, and been raised from 630 to highest number of high officials being exposed in China to make her a holy nation set apart for Fujian. This year, Shanghai has 1320 yuan (US$101 to and punished, with 7 high officials from Shanxi God. May the government practise justice and dismissed her GDP growth target. It is predicted US$211), an even greater increase of 110%. The province being removed from office. This is the mercy to build a clean government with integrity. that China’s fixed assets investment will reach increment this round has jumped 60% and the province most seriously affected by the anti- Day 59.4 trillion yuan in 2015. highest increment was 100%. A government corruption campaign. The Image of Jesus Christ 5 staff ’s starting salary in Beijing can be as high as On average, residents have an average annual 4,000 yuan (US$640). hey have something special. I want what income of 20,167 yuan (US$3,230), which is 10% “Tthey have. I want to be like Christians to more than the nominal growth in income from Total property investment in 2014 was 9.5036 be able to love others… I want to have the joy the previous year, after making allowance for 8% trillion yuan, a nominal increase of 10.5% that Christians have. I want to continue my faith inflation. Residents in the city have an average from the previous year. This increase is 9.3 % journey even when I go back to China and help disposable income of 28,844 yuan (US$4,620), lower than the increase in 2013, making it the Source: Reuters others in China to receive this peace and joy an increase of 9% from the previous year after historical lowest increase since 1999. In January, Communist Party of China Central Committee only Jesus can provide.” - a Chinese postdoctoral making allowance for inflation rate of 6.8%; according to 7 fund managers, total overseas General Secretary Xi Jinping has broken the researcher working in the US. residents in the rural areas have an average capital market financing is 15.8 billion yuan. unwritten code of “no punishment for top income of 10,489 yuan (US$1,680). This is a 70% fall in investment as compared to leadership in the Standing Committee” by There are many opportunities to impact the lives the year before when total investment was 60 approving investigations on party members, of Chinese people in our own home countries Internet sales in China amounted to 2.7898 billion yuan. striking fear in the hearts of Communist Party as well as in China. Here’s what some other trillion yuan in 2014, an increase of 49% Day members. This anti-corruption campaign has Chinese scholars studying overseas have said: compared to previous year. Total population Anti-corruption Campaign 4 united the people and the government in their living in the cities is 749.16 million people, which determination and faith to eradicate corruption “I was deeply attracted by the church life and is an increase of 18.05 million people. Total ow much is enough in China’s anti- in the Chinese government. It reflects the the peace and joy the Christians had. I was also population in the rural areas is 618.66 million Hcorruption campaign against the “tigers” Chinese government’s new political stance of attracted by how they lived in harmony with one people, a reduction of 10.95 million people. The and “flies”? having zero tolerance for corruption. another.” 6 | China Prayer Update China Prayer Update | 7 “I am impressed by the attitude of their everyday we can be his light to our Chinese neighbours. Christian scholars have noted that the a crow and a dove feel the same; it is difficult to life, the attitude when they are confronted with We can welcome them into our homes and walk announcement and crackdown on cults carries distinguish the two. But if the light comes in, you difficulty. Also, they are always willing to help others.” with them in the difficulties they face adjusting very important significance for the healthy can clearly differentiate between what is black to a new cultural environment. We can simply be development of Christianity in China because and what is white.’” [Chinese Church Voices] “From them I saw the image of Jesus Christ. their friends and God will use it to bring eternal it will help Christianity confront the chaotic Day Without them I could not know God.” change. Look around. See the opportunity. Seize religious environment with true Christian Short-term Teams 7 the moment. You will be a blessing, but you also teaching. Many house church evangelists also All these scholars came to know the Lord because will be greatly blessed!” support this move because of the intense The following are testimonies of some of our ex- of the witness of local Christians in the places harassment they receive from cults. At the same team members: where they studied. They were interviewed [All quotes taken from China Partnership.] time, house church evangelists are very worried as part of research for a doctoral dissertation, Day about the way some social media sources and “The first time I went to China was about 30 which concluded: “The key element the scholars Distinguishing 6 public figures that do not understand religion years ago. After that visit, I did not want to go recognized that God used to bring them to Christianity from Cults confuse house churches with cults. back anymore. Through God’s divine guidance, Christ was the loving relationships of Christians I went on an Antioch Missions team a few years who connected with them and helped them in aving grown up with little knowledge There are also house church pastors and ago and my life was transformed. I saw God’s a new land… Seeing something in the lives of “Hand understanding of religion, Chinese evangelists who have told the ‘Christian Times’ purpose for the land of China and avail myself Christians had a deep drawing effect on them.” people are easily confused by religious ideas; the that, after the Zhaoyuan event, they encountered for His use.” - S differences between orthodoxy and heterodoxy even more misunderstanding and rejection The author, Glenn Osborn of China Outreach are even more difficult for them to distinguish,” when they are doing evangelism. There were Ministries, then challenges us, saying: “There according to ‘Christian Times’. times when they went to evangelize in residential are more and more Chinese coming to our communities but were indiscriminately chased universities, but many never have the type of The Chinese website was responding to last away or detained by security and police before connection with a Christian described by the May’s infamous murder in McDonald’s in the getting a chance to explain themselves. scholars we surveyed for my dissertation. If small town of Zhaoyuan by members of the relationship and shared lives are so vital to a Almighty God or Eastern Lightning cult. Shortly In response to the change in the religious Chinese scholar’s journey of faith, then we after this case, the ‘Christian Times’ explained: environment, evangelists have expressed the “I thank God that He opened my eyes to see desperately need more people willing to make importance of adopting a gentler mood and the harvest field. I feel the urgency to reach the their lives available. Christians in university areas “The state announced the names and details attitude when evangelizing. At the same time, many unreached people group. I saw the need for can impact the largest country in the world right of 14 cults, among which 12 were a variant of pastors and sociologists... have expressed that kingdom mentality in order for churches to work from where they are. Churches can open their Christianity. Christianity is not a cult. These because secrecy provides a cover for cults, the most together”- H doors, and especially their community life, to variant cults have long been at odds with important way to resist heterodoxy lies in openness these sojourners and welcome them in. Making Christianity, but the change in public concern and transparency, allowing orthodox religion to “I was reluctant to come for this trip initially but a difference in China can be as easy as making and religious atmosphere ignited by this terrible have more space for healthy development. I felt the urge to return again the moment the a friend. I believe we can do this. The love of event have indirectly affected Christianity. This is plane touched down at the China airport. I did God has been shed abroad in our hearts and something we must acknowledge and deal with. One evangelist put it this way: ‘In the darkness not like to serve among children but overcame Antioch Missions | China Prayer Update | March 2015 the barrier when I was ministering to children are no Singaporeans working in this city. I am from a minority group. I understood God’s love touched by the ordinary people from other for them” - JI countries who gave their lives for this land.’- H

“God is preparing me for China. I do not know “This trip opened my eyes to the needs of people what is next but I will pray about preparation from another religion and the struggles that and the next step to take.” JA missionaries face.” - M MARCH 2014

“I thank God that I could use my vocational skill Through the years, Christians from different to train the co-workers there.” - X age groups, denominations and professions had participated in our short-term teams to “I feel sad that there are no churches in the China. They all returned with many blessings villages that we went to and I could feel the lack and lessons learnt. A few felt the burden to pray of religious freedom there. I am praying about and started a monthly prayer group to continue joining a mission training school.” Y to pray for China. Follow-up teams are planned for this year. Please contact your base office if “I am saddened by the fact that there you wish to join our teams.

working in co-operation with CCSM to match the needs inside China with the resources outside

If you wish to donate: Mailing Address: PO Box 2046, Robinson Road Please write cheque payable to “Antioch Missions” Post Office, Singapore 904046 Or by bank transfer to – Office Address: 5001 Beach Road, #04-01C Golden Mile Complex, Singapore 199588 Development Bank of Singapore Tel: 65-6392 1812 Current a/c no. 065-005675-5 DBS Bank Swift Code: DBS SSG SG Fax: 65-6392 1823 Bank Code: 7171 Email: [email protected] Branch Code: 065 www.am.amccsm.org

for internal circula tion only Seeking to Serve, Strengthen and Support the Church and People of China