ISEMA Newsletters
Massacre Ignites Spiritual Revolution
from Global Opportunities, U.S.Center for World Missions
The Chinese government “probably did Christianity a favor” when it ordered troops to open fire on the students in Tiananmen Square last year, said Jim Baker, vice president of public affairs for ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times). He said that as a result of the massacre, Chinese intellectuals are turning to Christianity in unprecedented numbers.
Jiang, a recently converted student at Beida University in Beijing, said he feels students are turning to Christ “because the soldiers used real bullets….If they had used rubber bullets, there would be no Christian revival among the students today.”
The government’s action pushed China’s intellectuals to reevaluate some of their most firmly held beliefs. A Chinese professor in Beijing explained, “For the past 5,000 years, all our religions, including Maoism, have taught that man is basically good. Only circumstances make him bad.” Tiananmen Square, however, seemed to prove exactly the opposite. A Beijing surgeon put it bluntly, “We saw pure evil in June.”
Dr. Leslie Francis, a Christian academic specializing in Chinese intellectual history, said there are “not merely hundreds, but definitely thousands” of students throughout China who have given their lives to the Lord. “I would rate this as one of the most significant periods in the history of Chinese intellectualism,” she added.
Student sources confirm this. In at least seven cities, students have indicated to foreign visitors and resident teachers that as much as 10 percent of the student body has been converted. In some cases, entire dorms and even faculties have become Christian. A Christian lecturer at Xiamen University said he would “defy anyone to walk from one building to another on this campus and not bump into a group of students having a Bible study in the open air.”
Trans World Radio reported it received a letter from a member of the Hua Xiang Three-Self church in Fuchow stating that more than 8,000 students had come to the church since June 4. They had all come to inquire about the Christian faith.
Superbook
The 700 Club recently reported that they have been given free air time to show the “Superbook” Bible cartoon series twice a week on TV throughout the Soviet Union. After a single show, they received a million responses! Pray that they will be able to answer all these letters and that Christians will take full advantage of the door that is now open in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
Time for War
by Gary Lukas, Box 1232, Richmond, TX 77469, (713) 232-6002.
As the new year began, a constant theme ran through my mind prior to our country’s attack on Iraq. It is time for war! As late in God’s timetable as it is, this is a time for every Christian to enter in. For some “Christians” it is a common belief that it is safe to loiter around in the reserves and thus play it safe. Tragically some churches too, think that evil in their community will disappear if they only ignore it. If they voice their opinion or begin to go on the offensive through evangelism they may offend someone or invite unnecessary trouble upon themselves. “We must maintain our reputation and social standing at all cost.” “Once you are more mature you will see that it is not expedient to be overly concerned about others” echoes from the pulpit or pew. Let’s observe one example of a man who chose not to be involved when it was time for war.
We find the sad story of David in 2 Samuel 11 where he failed God and suffered greatly. It states that the spring was “the time when kings go out to battle” (v.1). David was content to send others out to do the warfare for him. As he took his leisure his eyes and his heart wandered. His focus was on his neighbor’s wife. No one seemed to know for a while and David sinned again by doing away with her husband. This “was evil in the sight of the Lord.” In chapter 12 God in his mercy sent a rebuking prophet to bring David to repentance. He was forgiven, but the consequences of David’s sin affected others including his family from then on.
Today individual Christians or entire churches make the same mistake. Our business is to reach the lost, send forth missionaries (including those we can encourage to go from our own congregations) and mature those in the church. Instead our time and resources are consumed elsewhere. Like David our heart wanders and yearns for that which is either not a priority at the time, that which is clearly forbidden or that which consumes and destroys the blessings God has granted. If we fail to attack the gates of Hell and forcefully throw these back to free the lost, the enemy is free to plunder, destroy and shackle us as he wills. We must guard against maintaining a form of godliness within “the comfort zone” while others are conveniently sent out to do the warfare for us. No one seems to notice for a while and our lives look spiritual enough. But there will be a payday for willful neglect of our duty… and ignoring God’s call. “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4).
We feel as a family that this is our time for war as we prepare to move onto the battlefield of London this year. Some have asked if we have moved yet and the answer is no. It is taking time to establish our supply lines (i.e. financial support). Months ago a question on many people’s minds was why the U.S. was waiting so long before entering into war with Iraq. Until our supply lines were established, a sustained battle could not begin. We believe that God is faithful and will enable us to fulfill our calling.
Coming Events
Saturday April 27 San Francisco Worship Rally and Outreach, 3-6 PM. Market & Powell St. Contact SOS Ministries, Box 27358, Oakland, CA 94602, (415) 531-5325.
May 3-4 Kentucky Derby Outreach, Louisville. Contact No Greater Love, Box 263, DuQuoin, IL 62832, (618) 542-4503.
May 10-11 Operation Chico Invasion. Contact Chico Outreach Ministry, Box 8903, Chico, CA 95927, (916) 343-1491.
May 23-26 Indianapolis 500 Outreach. Contact No Greater Love (address above) or Christ in Action, Box 100, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (404) 695-1868.
May 25 San Antonio Evangelism Outreach. Contact Operation Christlift Ministries, 3400 W. Park Blvd #2117, Plano, TX 75075, (214) 519-0195.
May 28-June 10 Nicaragua Outreach. Make improvements on church- run orphanage and minister to children. $975. (also outreaches to England, East Germany, Romania, China, and American Indians throughout the summer and fall–prices vary). Contact Forward Edge, 15121-A N.E. 72nd Ave., Vancouver, WA 98686, (206) 574- EDGE.
June 7-9 Harborfest ’91 Outreach, Norfolk, VA. Contact Paul & Dana Powers, Youth Evangelism Ministries, Inc., Box 1908, Newport News, VA 23601, (804) 595-9523.
June 10-15 Rescue Atlanta ’91. Contact Rescue Atlanta, Box 965039, Marietta, GA 30066, (404) 924-0201.
June 21-29 SOS-Hollywood. Contact SOS-Hollywood, Box 2809, Hollywood, CA 90078, (213) 469-3027.
June 28-July 6 SOS-San Francisco. Guest speakers include Ray Comfort and Phil Aguilar. Contact SOS Ministries (address above).
June 28-July 4 Taste of Chicago Outreach. Contact Christ in Action (address above).
July 6-15 Jesus Loves You-New York. Contact Abounding Grace Ministries, 7040 Colonial Rd.#3-G, Brooklyn, NY 11209, (718) 836- 2957.
July 25-August 3 Twin Cities for Jesus, Minneapolis-St. Paul. Contact Forerunner Ministries, Box 6084, Minneapolis, MN 55406, (612) 722-0751.
July 29-August 3 Miami Outreach. Contact Rescue Atlanta (address above).
July 31-August 4 Milwaukee Outreach. Contact Heart-fire Ministries, Box 14031, W. Allis, WI 53214, (414) 445-9490.
August 30-31 St. Louis V.P. Fair. Contact No Greater Love (address above).
September 26-28 National Street Ministries Conference, Dallas, TX. Contact Scott Hinkle Outreach Ministries, Box 380306, Duncanville, TX 75138, (214) 331-6902.
A Final Word
As you can see, there are a lot of outreaches to choose from this summer. Ask God to show you one or more outreaches you should participate in. If you have never been part of a city-wide evangelism outreach, it will change your life. Some people say that the Christian life is boring, but not those who obey the Great Commission.
The 1991 International Street and Evangelism Ministry Directory should be ready by the time you receive this newsletter. It includes several dozen new ministries, over 500 in all, and new addresses for many ministries. This year, the Directory is available only to 1991 ISEMA members for $5 each, which covers our cost of printing and shipping.
Our Tape of the Month is “Keeping an Organization Running” by Bobby Chance. Bobby is Director of Streetwise Ministries in Plano, Texas. This tape was from a teaching given several years ago at an ISEMA Evangelism Conference in Denver.
Yours in His love,
Larry Rosenbaum
