PerspectivesA word of thanks from China
Bob Folkenberg Jr. with his wife, Audrey, the Gospel Outreach regional director for China.
In partnership with each of you who supports the work of Gospel Outreach, the Chinese Union has been active in supporting local Chinese church-planting teams, which we call pioneer teams. Over the past five years 357 teams have been sent out to plant new churches in unentered areas. Of these, 317 have successfully planted a church. That is an 89 percent success rate. Now, every Sabbath, in what used to be unentered towns and city neighborhoods, groups of Jesus followers–Adventist members–meet to worship.
Though this statistic is good, it doesn’t mean the future will be smooth-sailing. On the contrary, the government in China is tightening its control and oversight of all religious activities. There is great uncertainty for what this will mean. We covet your prayers as the work to reach the largest country in the world moves forward. Please pray for the large cities where we might have one or two churches. Does having 200 members mean a city of 30 million is entered? There is so much more to do; so many more people to let know that there is a God who created them, loves them and wants to spend eternity with them.
Thank you, Gospel Outreach, for being such a wonderful and supportive ministry for this kind of indigenous work. Thank you, Gospel Outreach supporter, for the part you are playing. Your continued support is needed. Please pray for China and continue to support this important work.
