PERSECUTED CHURCH CHINA

 

Jondee_pcc@surfbest.net

 

CHINA REPORT FALL OF 1999---A VISIT WITH THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH

                                                     NOW 90 MILLION STRONG

 

Praise the Lord forever.   The contents of this report include the following:

 

1.     ARRIVING IN CHINA

2.     AN UNEXPECTED OFFERING

3.     DISTRIBUTION

4.     A TEACHING (Ministry of paying the price)

5.     A PEACEFUL STROLL DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE

6.     THE HOUSE OF REFUGE PROJECT

7.     THE STORY OF A MARTYRED BROTHER

8.     TESTIMONY I & II

9.     A PRECIOUS MOMENT IN THE 747

10. LAST YEARS LETTER OF ENCOUREMENT

 

ARRIVING IN CHINA

 

It is difficult for us in the West to comprehend the cost of being a Christian in China, under the constant oppression of a communist government.  For those that are not in prison, it is a 24 hour a day question, when will I be arrested?  For those in prison, it is torture and constant abuse under the government’s re-education program.  The enemy has countless options to use to discourage them.  Their appetite for more teaching and greater knowledge of their Lord is often unfulfilled.  But through all of their difficulties an abundance of the Lord’s presence comforts them and they march on.

 

Our team consisted of Timothy Jon an Industrial sales engineer from Missouri who has been on short mission trips into Russia and Joshua a missionary from Virginia who has served in Guatemala, and Russia.   It was a 23 hour trip from the US to City A in China.  I can’t complain about that because one of the leaders traveled one week on a train to get to us. 

 

Our fall trip into China had been delayed because of the pressure the Religious Security Bureau (RSB) put on the Underground Church.  Some of them discontinued gathering because of this threat.  There are over 1000 autonomous Underground Churches in this city and most don’t know where the other ones are located.  Incidentally, not one of these men referred to themselves as House Church leaders.  They consistently referred to the church they belong to as a Family Church.  So we will do the same and call them leaders of the underground Family Church.

 

Again, Jeff hosted the gathering of these brave leaders.  The setting this time was very different from our previous war room meetings.  We were in an ultra modern sky-scrapper apartment.  After most of the leaders arrived, we had a worship and sharing time together.  Philip informed us that last week he had been arrested.  The RSB came to his house and arrested him for essentially doing nothing wrong.  After he paid them a fine, they let him go, and he was able to maintain his schedule and meet with us.

 

AN UNEXPECTED OFFERING

 

I want to interject here an incident that happened while we were still in the US.  PCC was recommended to a pastor who was looking to fund a mission project with a large offering.   After communicating for period of time, he wanted to give this offering to the persecuted Church but said that he had to see me first.  I only had a short time left before my trip so I couldn’t fit into my schedule the two days that it would take to visit his church in North Carolina.  Several days before I was to leave, this beautiful offering arrived in the mail.  I felt the Lord had a special place for this “oil”.

 

 

THE DISTRIBUTION:

 

I was given photos and a video of a small underground Bible school that we helped to build.  The need to quickly prepare young evangelist for service is critical in order to meet the demands of teaching the masses that are being saved.  It is now estimated that there are 25,000 a day coming to Christ in China.  In this communist country, only nationals or Asian looking Christians can assist.   If you are a Westerner, you are easily noticed in the countryside, and would cause suspicion as to why you are there.

 

The Lord has asked us to help the families whose husband and fathers are in prison; leaders on the run who have a warrant out for their arrest and cannot go home and the families of martyred Christians.  Jeff and I put together a survey form so that each leader can compile an accurate accounting of the Christians that need the Lord’s help in his network.  It takes about four hours to do this.  This list we accumulated is a drop in the bucket in this vast land because there are many network leaders with whom we have no contact.  As the supply increases, I am sure the Lord will send more leaders to us.  We accumulated the following list:

 

1.     Christians in prison 37.

2.     Christian leaders on the run 22.

3.     Families of martyred Christians 30.

 

After stuffing and sealing all the envelopes with your offerings and a letter of encouragement, we coded them for distribution.  We spent $3000 on Bibles printed in China.  The study Bible cost $4 and advanced teachers Bible cost $8.  We brought in 30,000 tracts called “crumbs” that have been very successful for evangelism in China.  After all the needs were met, we looked into the jar, and found that there was still some “oil” left.  I knew the Lord had a place for it, I just had to be patient.  We prayed over the envelopes (a special moment, wish you could have been there) that the Lord would bless and multiply the contents.  We then gave each leader his allotted number of envelopes.  It is a huge challenge for these leaders to now find all the families and especially the leaders that are on the run.  Please pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and protect them on this journey. 

 

We have eliminated the fund to the Safe Houses.  Instead, we now give the offering directly to the parents whose children are in them.  The challenge for us now is the Mission School Project for the children whose fathers are in prison, on the run or leaders that travel extensively.  This will be a kindergarten level school that will give the children good academics and the Bible.  The grade level will expand every year.

 

THE MINISTRY OF PAYING THE PRICE:

 

This was the title of the teaching the Lord gave me for these leaders that sacrifice more than we can imagine.  It is about the cost and sacrifice beyond what is normal for those in Christian leadership.  I used the examples of Job, Jesus and Paul to illustrate what could be our destiny.  The last scriptures we read together were written by John in Revelation 22:12-17, and we all began chanting come, come, come, Lord Jesus.  Praise and worship with arms raised exploded in the room.  Tears came and the Glory of the Lord was upon us.  A fitting tribute to our Lord Jesus for whom these brave brothers have suffered.  It was also a gentle reminder to Him that we are waiting for His return.

 

A PEACEFULL STROLL DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE

 

After all the business was completed, we had lunch and then went to get some fresh air and exercise.  There was a breeze that day so the smog was pushed inland.  We enjoyed the sun and clear blue skies, as we strolled in a spread out fashion.  I watched these brother and sisters enjoy a moment of peace and personal fellowship as each one held and enjoyed David’s young son.  All but one of them had suffered arrest, torture and re-education many times.  I admire, respect and love them deeply.  I find myself thinking about and praying for them often.  Soon, they would have to leave and face the responsibility of their calling.  I noticed a nicely dressed Chinese man watching me and then he came over and questioned me a little.  He told me that he went to an upstate New York University.  I asked him if he knew where Buffalo was and he didn’t.  I think he felt uncovered and abruptly left.

 

A HOUSE OF REFUGE FOR MUSLIM CONVERTS

 

What I am about to share with you is very exciting.  As most of you know, there is an unprecedented number of Muslim’s coming to Christ.  It is my opinion that this is the result of the Gulf war.  This was not only a war with soldiers; it was a spiritual war with both sides praying to their God.  Allah, Saddam’s God was humiliated and defeated by the US Christian God, JESUS.  Remember how President Bush called our whole nation to prayer for the war.   A leader named John from a Muslim area in China, told me that he wanted to talk to me about something.  After many of the leaders left, this was possible.  This is the brother that traveled from the northwestern part of China; a one-week train ride.  He is about 6’4” and weighs about 230 lbs.  Last year, he sold his business to become a full time worker for the Lord.  If you knew Big John as we call him, you would love him.

 

Big John said, “PCC is an exclusive mission in China and that God sent His servants to comfort us.”   He told me through an interpreter, that there is one form of persecution that we have not considered yet and that is family persecution.  He asked us to read Nehemiah 5:1-5.  This is what is happening to Chinese Muslims when they convert to Christianity.  Once they convert to Christianity, they are persecuted in every way possible.  Then they are given a period of time to return to their former faith or a death sentence is given to them by their family.  So these Christian families have to run for their life but there is no provision as to where they can go.  When a family is forced to flee to another city, they must put their child in a different school.  The government requires them to pay $580.00 to do this.  That is more than 1-year’s income.  The many hardships to these new believers are indescribable.

 

Big John told us of a plan the leaders have put together.  I can’t share all of the details with you for obvious reasons, but we will call the plan The House of Refuge Project.  For those that are given a death sentence, the plan will provide a number of dwellings for a period of time, to give them a peaceful surrounding while they are taught the basics of Christianity.  After that first phase of refuge, those dwellings will be abandoned and others made available for the next group going into the first phase.  The second phase will find them being assigned to an underground Family Church.  They will receive additional teaching that will prepare them to be sent back into a different Muslin community as an evangelist.  So, what the enemy meant for evil, the Lord is going to turn it around and use it for good.  The result will be that more Muslims are going to accept the true and living Christ as their Savior.

 

This particular plan has the potential to prepare 108 new Christian evangelists per year.  Now we realized why there was some “oil” left over.  We took that supply and added to it all the expense money we did not spend.  We were able to send Big John on his way with at least enough to start The House of Refuge Project.  The projected cost when fully up and running is only $10,000 per year.  It is estimated that there are 12,000,000 Muslims in the area and 8,000,000 of them are religious.  We need to find communities of converted Muslims in the US to pray and become active in this project.

 

THE STORY OF A MARTYERED BROTHER

 

This is the testimony of Brother Steven.  He was 50 years old and a Christian for 4 years.  The story begins when he was very sick with a disease, and someone shared the Gospel with him and the healing power of Jesus.  The Lord healed him and he became an evangelist.  During the summer, he farmed with his son to support his family and during the non-farming times he preached the Gospel and prayed for many that needed healing. The Lord confirmed His word and healed many that he prayed for.  This brother started two churches each winter with more than 20 families per church.  In 1996, after the fourth church was started, he was arrested.  While he was in prison he continued to preach the Gospel.  There were two prisoners that were ill, he prayed for them and asked God to heal them.  God did indeed heal them.  They were Muslim and after they were healed the guards asked this brother to continue to preach the Gospel.  In his cell area, more than 10 Muslims became Christians.  Eventually, one night in January at 11:00pm, the guards came and ordered him to be released.  He at first refused because it was –5 degrees F. but they again ordered him to leave immediately, which he did.  He had no help and had to walk without extra clothing.  He walked 9 miles in the dark to a Christian sister’s home.  This sister and others were, at that time, praying for this brother when he arrived at the door. 

 

Shortly there after, he started the 5th and 6th church.  He was arrested again this time with his son.  They were both beaten all over their body and tortured severely.  They were released after 45 days.  The son was again arrested, the RSB wanted him to pay them a fine, but he refused after his father advised him not to pay because they would only continue to arrest him for the fines.  The son was released after about 2-3 weeks.  Overall, the son went through 4 arrests like this.  During all of this time, the father was unable to work because of the severe head injury he received while beaten during his arrest.  Because of severe headaches, he also could not preach the Gospel so his wife and son continued with the preaching.

 

In May 1999, when Big Jon delivered the envelope, the son cried when he received it and thanked those who were so kind to help.  The son then shared all of this testimony with Big John.  However, Big John never met the father during this visit.  Over the next few weeks, the son and father attempted to meet with Big John only to have many meetings canceled.  Finally, Big John met with the son only to find out that the father had died from his head injury.  Even Big John himself, the big man that he is, had difficulty sharing this testimony with us.  Not only did it bring him to tears but also all of us in the room listening.  The Lord’s presence by the Holy Spirit seemed to flood the room as we all wept and felt the Lord’s great compassion for His persecuted church.  (Selah).

 

So, the Lord’s angels escorted Steven into the presence of Jesus and he was given a white robe, and told to wait a little longer before his blood would be avenged (Revelations 6:9-11).  Steven had no formal Bible or seminary training, just a tender ear to hear the Spirit of the Lord.  He was an apostle to 6 churches with 120 new converts in 4 years.  If I understood the interpreter correctly, he could not write his testimony to us because he did not know how to write.  The result of his suffering and death was the strengthening of the new converts and the Churches he presented in person to Jesus.

 

TWO TESTIMONIES TO YOUR FAITHFUL GIVING

 

1.  This testimony is the result of Big John searching out this family whose father was in prison for his faith.  He is Brother A., a 50-year-old man with a wife and 3 sons.  Originally, his wife was not fond of him working for God.  In 5 years, he has planted 18 churches and discipled them.  The average church has 20 families in them.  He was warned by the government many times, but still continued to build the Lord’s churches. He was arrested 2 years ago and sentenced to 3 years in prison.

 

When Big John went to deliver the family the envelope, he found that they made a little booth outside their door where they sold food to make a living.  After 1 year of her husband being in jail, she realized he was doing a very good thing.  She then went to the many churches he planted to encourage them.  She often goes to the jail to visit her husband and he encourages her to continue preaching to the churches.  He told her of the hardness of prison, but that could not compare to the hardness of not being able to preach to the churches, so he wanted her to do it on his behalf. 

 

When Big John met her, she had been encouraging the churches for one half year and now there are 26 churches.  When she received our offering and read the letter of encouragement God confirmed everything to her.  This was the first time that she received anything from outside the churches.  She memorized the letter of encouragement from Jon Dee and repeated it to her husband during a visit to him in prison.  When Big John called her one-month later, she brought word from her husband.  He also thanked God very much for the offering.  He said “when he is in jail, God sends His love to his family.”  She also told about 3 other co-workers that are now in jail.  The great testimony of this family is that the husband is in jail and now his wife stands up in his place.

 

2. The day of Brother B’s arrest was supposed to be a wonderful day because this was the day of his son’s wedding.  Unfortunately, it was also the day the RMB chose to arrest him.  He served God for 10 years, serving 40 churches in 10 counties.  Also, he spread the Gospel among the minorities.  There are 20 young evangelists that have come out of the 40 churches.

 

It was 400 kilometers to the family of Brother B who has been in prison since March 1999.  The bus was late and it was dark and hard to find his house.  Big John complained, “why was the bus so late?”  With 300 meters to go, God spoke to Big John to go to the restaurant to eat.  But they were in a hurry.  The Lord said, “pray and go to eat for 30 minutes, then go to their house.”  So, he did what the Lord told him and ate at the restaurant.  When they arrived, the wife of Brother B told him the RSB had just left her house 10 minutes ago.  They came to find out if they had any people there.

 

When Big John delivered the envelope to his wife, she was overwhelmed with thanks giving and told him that her husband has been beaten and tortured in prison.  He was broken hearted after being arrested on his sons wedding day.  After serving the Lord for ten years, he was discouraged but told his son to stop work and serve the Lord full time.  His son told Big John that he did quit his job in August to serve the Lord.  His son was very encouraged when he read our letter of encouragement.  He wanted Big John to tell Jon Dee “thanks very much for the encouragement to serve God.”  His action is now an encouragement for other young men to serve God. 

 

A PRECIOUS MOMENT IN THE 747

 

On the way back to the US, somewhere over Alaska, I needed to stretch my legs.  I headed to the rear of this magnificent flying machine.  Joshua and I shared with a pastor’s wife after she overheard us talking about the Lord.  Shortly after that, I found myself alone.  I had a clear visitation from the Lord that caused me to become very emotional.  I felt his pleasure for the mission that was just completed.  Although, I am the point man, I represented everyone that prayed and gave a gift to the Lord’s suffering Church.  This encounter was not only for me but for you as well.  Please, take a moment now or when you finish reading this report to close your eyes and receive the Lord’s pleasure for your obedience and sacrifice.

 

I recalled the scene in the movie, Chariots of Fire, when Eric Little tried to convince his sister that when he ran he felt the Lord’s pleasure.  It is difficult to explain the feeling except that you know God just gave you a hug.

 

 

THE LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT

 

From:  Jon Dee - PERSECUTED CHURCH COLLECTION              May 1999

To:  My Brothers & Sisters who are dearly loved of the Lord in China,

 

PRAISE THE LORD FOREVER.

 

This is the third time I have brought offerings to you from the Free Church.  They sent me with many letters of encouragement and their prayers.  Your faithfulness to Jesus during your suffering has been a great example.  After all my visits with you I write a report and tell of my experiences.  The thing I notice the most when I visit you is the abundant presence of the Lord that is with you. 

 

Of course Jesus is our example in suffering to save others.  Pilate knew that the Lord was innocent so by having him flogged he thought this would satisfy the Jews and then he could set Jesus free.  It was unthinkable and never done, to have a man flogged and then crucified.  Justice made those in authority do only one or the other.  Even in those barbaric days it was inhuman to put a man through flogging and then crucify him.   So Jesus our Lord suffered greatly before He died and could even say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”

 

I want to encourage you with the prayer of believers after Peter and John were released from prison as recorded in Acts 4:27-30.  Their prayer was, “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, who you anointed.  They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 

We are all His mighty army but you are on the front lines, in the direct line of fire from the enemy.  You are honorable warriors for the Lord Jesus and your faithfulness to Him is bringing 20,000 new Chinese Christians into the kingdom of God daily.  Many times your sufferings are silent sermons to those that are watching.  Your victories are making the whole world take notice.  Christians from every country on earth deeply respect you and send you their tender love for your work on the battlefield.  Always remember that you are not suffering alone, our prayers are with you and Jesus is right by your side.

 

Please write a testimony and give it to the leader who delivered this gift to you.  Your testimony will encourage us to pray for you more frequently and rejoice in the Lord that His will for the Church in China will be accomplished.

 

IN SUMMARY

 

Like most folks, we appreciate a “thank you” for what we do, but we are very careful that the Lord receives all the glory for what is accomplished on our mission trips.  For it is He who has adequately gifted us to carry them out.  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). 

 

It gives me great pleasure to acquaint you with this marvelous Church in China.  The more we know of them and how they handle their tests and trials, the better prepared the free Church will be for whatever comes our way in the future.  If you are encouraged to become a giver to the Persecuted Church, please don’t do it out of emotion or guilt.  Ask the Lord if you should give and then how much.  Obey Him and not a feeling.  By faith, we can give what He asks of us.  The Lord is then involved in the whole process, from those that give to those that receive.  Then I recommend that you follow Paul’s suggestion as he collected for the distressed church in Jerusalem as outlined in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. 

 

Remember all gifts are tax deductible, just simply make you checks payable to PCC.  All of our staff is volunteer and they pay all their own expenses. Our commitment to you is that every bit of the offerings goes to the Lord’s persecuted Church.  All of this information is free and I encourage you to use it for the glory of JESUS.  Please forward this report to every Christian in your electronic mailing list. Before you know it, we will be going back in 6 months to replenish them before the summer. While we were there we felt your prayers and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.  If you pray for the Lord’s suffering Church everyday, then you will notice an increase in sensitivity and compassion for them.  Until next time.

 

Living in His design, and loving it,

 

 

Jon Dee (my Chinese name)

 

PS. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

 

PSS.  I just received word that a Chinese brother was arrested.  He is a full time evangelist.  He was traveling to another place by bus.  He put many Bibles to distribute in his bag and the bag was too obvious and heavy.  A policeman noticed the heavy bag and inspected it and found the Bibles.  Please pray for him.

 

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