China.
Sneaking in Bibles.
Dropping pointed hints about the fact that you are a Christian.
Hoping the other side is either a friend, or at least won’t take you to prison.
Covertly searching for clues that will lead you to some underground church.
Somewhere hidden.
Somewhere disguised.
A safe haven for those who believe Christ in Communist China.
Sounds like a James Bond movie, doesn’t it?
So why was The World Race sending a squad of 47 people there?
It didn’t seem safe.
And I know that one of AIM’s biggest priorities is that everyone is safe.
So what were we doing in a “closed country?”
To be honest, I was a little excited as well.
I mean, come on.
Every guy wishes at least a little bit to be a real 007.
Alas, when I got there, I got a pretty big reality check.
Our contact, Jake Taube, explained that we didn’t need to hide our faith.
Nor should we.
(And yes, he gave us all permission to use his name and ministry)
So I started thinking about it.
I’ve never read anything in the Bible that resembled a 007 Christian.
In fact, Jesus challenges his those that were following him with this:
“Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)
Pretty heavy stuff.
Now I am not saying there isn’t also wisdom and discernment in situations.
But I am saying, or rather Jesus is saying, that we need to declare Christ.
Church, we need to be bold.
We can’t be more concerned with ourselves,
With our reputation,
Even with our own lives,
Than we are with sharing the Good News of Christ’s redeeming Love.
Jake did not know how he would be received when he came to China.
He just decided that he was going to openly share the gospel.
Whatever happened to him after that was all for the glory of the Lord.
Good or bad.
Praise Jesus that it ended up being good.
If you google “missionary in China” you will find his website.
Fifth link from the top.
And the first four are wikipedia.
In fact, here is the link:
Guys.
He has only been there for 7 years.
And he is one of the most known missionaries in China, according to google.
Now I won’t say he is the biggest.
Neither would he.
He is just the most known.
Because he is unafraid and unashamed of the gospel.
All he did was act in faith and open his mouth.
And then God moved.
This month my squad decided they could no longer keep theirs shut.
They spread out through all of Harbin and began to reach people.
Through English Corners, Cafe Dates, and Bible Studies.
Hundreds of people heard the Gospel.
Some for the first time in their lives.
Jesus moved and opened people’s hearts to a hope they never had.
Because we chose to act in faith and open our mouths.
So how many of you are keeping yours closed?
Let me show you what happens when you do open it.
The link below will bring you to just one example of how God can use you.
But you have to choose it.
He won’t force you.
But I promise,
If you don’t,
You will never receive the gift of watching someone come to salvation.
And trust me.
It is the best gift you can receive outside of your own salvation.
So read it.
And be encouraged.
Your words have worth and power.
Go spread em.
The Gospel In China: Two Birds, One Throne
UPDATE__________________________________________
The World Race
Catch me on Twitter at NinjaZachWR
or see my pictures on Instagram at NinjaZach.
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If you would like to check out my new blog, with everything from the World Race and all my missions since then and even now in Japan, please click on this link for my blog The Vagabond Missionary. Thank you always for your support!
