It’s funny, I’ve learned, how much more I think about what I am speaking when I’m forced to slow down my speech. The Chinese students have all learned English from an early age but usually have little to no opportunities to practice speaking and listening to actual English speakers.
Last night was our first night in the new house church that our ministry contacts hope to launch from the friends and contacts that we have been making throughout our time here. I was asked to give my testimony to the students, and as I was sharing I had to repeatedly remind myself to slow down. In doing this, I was struck by how little I do this on a regular basis. Too often, I speak without processing or gathering my thoughts in hopes to get my words in and to be heard.
As I continued to ponder this thought, I couldn’t help but make a parallel to our presentation of the gospel in this country. As Christians we are over stimulated with sermons, songs, the latest mega church pastor’s pod casts, and endless books debating deep theological issues. This is not a bad thing. If we want to continually grow in our faith we must take advantage of the tools we are given. Our God knows us in a way no others do and therefore we strive to grow in understanding of Him. However, what I’ve realized is that with so many sources of information we begin to overcomplicate things.
Our team is made up of 7 people, with 7 different upbringings and 7 different journeys with the Lord. These differences tend to become evident when discussing passages of the Bible or specific theological viewpoints, but the one time the differences do not matter is when sharing the gospel with our students. We become so unified in our excitement and eagerness for these students to come to know and love the one true God that everything else is brushed aside.
Of course, once making the decision to accept Christ, there is so much more to living out our faith, but for the students here simplicity is the answer. The Chinese people grow up learning to trust science and themselves as Gods over any other and that logical thinking is the only true way. Therefore, I’ve found it easier to talk to our 2-year-old nephew about who Jesus is than a 20-year-old college student.
For this reason, I have been thankfully reminiscent of my time in Campus Crusade for Christ during college. One of the girls on our team recently graduated from school and was also involved. She brought with her the ever so famous Knowing God Personally booklet, which is a 4 point breakdown of the gospel and the basics of what we believe and how to begin a relationship with Christ. CCC taught me so many valuable truths about the urgency of sharing the gospel, and having been removed for 2 years now, I see that the fundamental truths I learned through discipleship (having a spiritual mentor who pours into you and helps you grow in your faith) and bible studies have become intrinsically a part of me. The most basic description of the goals of CCC is to equip college students with the knowledge and practice necessary to 1. Share their faith and 2. Live a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit regardless of where your path leads. Their belief is the gospel is powerful and must be shared. Now being with an entirely different organization, with different people, and in places I never imagined myself going, I am so incredibly grateful for my involvement with Campus Crusade.
Ultimately, this month has forced me to slow down. Being offline has enabled me to think with out the noise of the outside world. Being unable to reach them, I have learned to appreciate some of the most important people in my life. I have slowed down and simplified my speech, and finally I have been reminded to not forget the importance of the gospel, uncomplicated by our own divisive ideology.
