bustling city of Hangzhou. In the middle of this modern town, filled with cars and high rises and
economic activity, stood this impressive building, topped with a golden cross, a beacon of Christianity.
As we approached the building, the words “Jesus Loves You” jumped out, as the church was
providing an invitation for all to see. Meeting the pastors of the church, we discovered that over the
Christmas holidays, the congregation had held a series of four evangelistic meetings, and from these
meetings, more than 3,200 came forward to profess faith in Christ. Amazing!
NOT YET
While so much among the church in China was impressive, there is still much that needs to be
done. For example, Bibles are being churned out in the millions for China. However, the 65 million
copies that Amity Press has distributed do not even cover a tenth of the population of China. In
addition, in order to obtain a Bible, one has to visit a church. Bibles are not allowed to be sold in your
average bookstore or on the street from a vender. Fans, silk scarves, and other items were found on
every corner, but a Bible had to be sought out in order to locate.
In reference to the Social Gospel, it was a great encouragement to see the church engaged in
helping its fellow man. Indeed, the church is gaining a wonderful reputation as an avenue of help for
the community. However, the prophetic voice of the church is often lacking. Because of the Chinese
ideal of harmony, it is rare that churches speak out against the Chinese culture or especially the
Chinese government. Peace is to be sought above all else, but Christ is not only the Prince of Peace,
he is also the Prophet calling the culture to account for the Kingdom of God.
Lastly, while it was wonderful to hear about the results of the evangelistic services held inside the
church, it was discouraging to be reminded of the Chinese regulations disallowing similar evangelism
outside of the church. Again, the ideal of harmony meant that an individual is not allowed to confront
another with the Gospel out of fear of offending the listener, and therefore, open air preaching or
one-on-one evangelism is illegal. In addition, church gatherings have to be registered, thus making
illegal the “unregistered” or “underground” church, a population that may number some 60-80 million.
Perhaps it is just my Baptist blood, but these regulations weigh heavy on my heart. It is great that the
Gospel can be proclaimed so effectively and dynamically inside the doors of the registered church,
but the Gospel has never been trapped indoors and can never be regulated.
Already, not yet. The Lord has done so much work throughout China, and our Chinese brothers
and sisters should be encouraged in their Bible distribution, social action, and Christian evangelism.
At the same time, there is so much more to do. May in the years to come, the “not yet” become the
“already” as the Bible freely floods the land, a prophetic voice rises up against contemporary culture,
and the Gospel indoors and outdoors is proclaimed without regulations or boundaries.
Blake Killingsworth is assistant to the president at Dallas Baptist University in Texas in the United
States and a member of the BWA Emerging Leaders Network
PHOTO: The BWA delegation at the Amity Press Headquarters

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