House Church started by former Agnostic

House churches, which are springing up all over China, make knowledge of the Word of God and Jesus Christ accessible for millions of Chinese people. The demands of hard work and hours of study can make travel to large cities where churches can be found difficult, if not impossible. However, the network of house churches throughout China are circumventing the impediments to sharing God’s word and providing a haven of peace and joy, where Chinese Christians can be discipled in the Word of God.

Since 1989, more than 1,182,228 Christians have completed Bible studies throughout China – from the cities to the most remote villages. Bible League International has met the burgeoning need and provided study materials throughout China. This level of Christian education is a miraculous achievement in a country where so many people have waited years and years to hold a Bible in their own hands. Utilizing the theory of the House Church, 2, 850 new churches have been born in China.

“No border, no boundary, no barrier can keep out the power of God’s Word.” This is the battle cry of courageous Christians around the world – Christian’s like Pastor Chang in China. Pastor Chang wasn’t always evangelizing in China, though. In fact, like the Apostle Paul, Chang himself once was a vocal Agnostic, speaking against faith in God.

But then Chang’s wife contracted lung cancer, and in his desperation to find hope, his barriers crumbled. He allowed a Christian to enter his life, he welcomed Christ into his heart to be Lord of his life, and miraculously, his wife was healed of the cancer. Stunned by this miracle and forever grateful to God, Chang and his wife longed to know more about Jesus. But due to the persecution in China, Bibles are scarce, and the couple went six long years without a copy of their own…until, at last, a Christian trained by Bible League International gave them a New Testament.

Now fortified in his faith, Chang became the pastor of one of China’s underground churches – regularly meeting in secret in someone’s home. Before long, he who had once been engaged in persecution in China became one who was persecuted, facing trials of his own.

Recently, as are many Christians who face persecution in China, Chang was arrested and interrogated in prison for 15 days simply for sharing the message of Christ. Shortly after his release, the police raided his underground church during a Bible study. They intimidated church members and confiscated the tables and chairs—leaving the church in total disarray.  But this was just the beginning. Chang and 60% of his church leaders have been imprisoned multiple times because of their faith.

But here is the amazing, good news:

God found a way into Pastor Chang’s heart in his hour of greatest need. Pastor Chang’s wife was suffering from lung cancer without hope of being healed. In his desperation, Chang allowed a Christian to enter his life and introduce him to the word and hope of God. Chang welcomed Christ into his heart and prayed for his wife to be cured of the lung cancer. Miraculously, his prayers for his beloved wife were answered. Stunned by this miracle and forever grateful, Chang and his wife pursued a relationship with God. They studied from borrowed Bibles and bible study materials until they met a Bible League International worker who was able to give them a New Testament.

Fortified in his faith by holding the Word of God in his hands, Chang became the pastor of a house church in his own home. Despite the distractions of the outside world and whims of politicians, Chang dedicated his ministry to sharing the Word of God with those who sought fellowship in his house church. Those that Chang has led to God are equally as committed to Bible teaching and discipleship. With the support of Bible League International, Chang has shared bible study materials with more than 100 new Chinese Christians. These new Christians are sharing God’s word and many have become church planters, starting their own house churches.

The House Church movement in China shows the power of God’s Word in action. When you give to Bible League International you are making an investment that is absolutely guaranteed to pay eternal dividends, as well as improve life here on earth for many who are overjoyed in the gift of the Word of God. Please continue to pray with us for the continued progress of the House Church movement in China and the continued strength of these new Chinese Christians and Christians-yet-to-be.”