Chinese Christians share hope

Chinese Christians are impacting their world for Christ.  Captivated by God’s Word and the hope it brings, young Chinese Christians, in particular, have a powerful influence on their peers.  This is ithe story of Tian, who learned about Jesus as a boy while listening to some of the elders in his village. He desired to learn more, and today, he is impacting many more lives by bringing Bible Study to his University.

China’s higher education system is well developed with more than 2,000 universities and colleges. Operation World reports that university students are the key to China’s future and with most Chinese children entering college at age 16, it is a mission field ripe for the harvest.  Despite many impediments, Chinese Christians seek to share God’s Word with the next generation, however most of China’s students remain unreached with the Gospel. This is story of Tian: a Chinese Christian student who was led by God to impact his university peers for Christ.                                        

Tian trusted in Christ as his Savior when he was a young child.  “I believed in Jesus when I was a primary school student,” shares Tian. “Everyday I looked forward to hearing God’s Word.” Chinese Christian elders shared the Gospel in Tian’s village for two years and as a result, Tian’s thirst for Bible study increased.  “I appreciated God’s love more and more, and I never turned down a chance to gather with other Christians.”  Throughout his primary school years, Tian continued studying God’s Word in addition to his school lessons.

One day, Tian was thinking about the words in Matthew 6:19-20, which says: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” As a Chinese Christian, Tian thought this meant that nothing on earth was worthwhile except serving God.  “I believed it was no use going to school, so resolutely, I quit,” Tian recalls.  “The church elders tried to persuade me to further my education, but I refused. My parents were also angry, because my father held great hopes for me.”

Eventually though, as Tian continued to study God’s Word and disciple with other Chinese Christians, the Lord changed Tian’s stubborn heart. “Over time, I realized I should further my education, not for getting a job and storing up riches, but for better serving God.”

In obedience, Tian re-entered the academic arena at the university level. “I was nervous and unfamiliar with anything around me, but I thank the Lord because He put to test my courage. “  As a Chinese Christian who was also now a student in a university, Tian had a new perspective and additional purpose for his education: he had a mission field.  “He let me see the great spiritual needs of the university students. He had a greater mission for me—to pray for those students.”

Having stepped out in obedience, the faithful Chinese Christian Tian then experienced the outpouring of God’s blessings on his ministry. “I started a Bible study on campus, and I have even introduced my faith to some of the teachers. Now, looking back, He who called me is a faithful God. I thank the Lord that we are all witnesses to His grace.”  Please pray with us for Chinese Christians like Tian: that they will continue to be blessed as they boldly share the Gospel on China’s university campuses, and beyond.