2020-10 (October Prayer Letter)

Dear brothers and sisters, peace to you in the Lord!

Thanks be to the Lord! He has led us to complete a series of challenging missions: August in-person Bible Camp, Disciple Training Camp, August mission teams, and September mission teams. The mission teams ministered at various places in the Midwest. All of those completed smoothly. Thanks to God’s protection and good practices. By God’s grace, none of the brothers and sisters attending the camps and mission team members are affected by virus. The Lord’s mighty hands allowed their bodies and spirits to thrive together. The mission teams not only lead people to the Lord, but also moved many local fellowships and churches to revive the fire of Gospel, stepping out of the pandemic to spread the Gospel, and returning to church for in-person service.

After the conclusion of these ministries, our CWC coworkers have returned to their own churches and campus Bible Study Groups to serve and shepherd. Apart from the pandemic afflicting all people, Chinese churches have an unspoken worry these days. That is: How should we respond to the worsening US-China relationship? How should churches respond to the questions and concerns from the hearts of brothers and sisters?

US-China Relationship and Churches’ Response

Recently I attended a conference for pastors from Chinese churches on the theme of US-China relationship and churches’ response. There were over 100 Chinese pastors eagerly participating. This is a serious hidden worry in Chinese churches nowadays. Since the trade war began, US-China relationship started downhill. With the pandemic US-China relationship has worsened. A significant challenge and reply erupts every week: closing the consulate, accusation of spying, expelling Chinese students, imposing all kinds of sanctions, shutting down TikTok and WeChat …. Such incidents caused Chinese Christians great sadness and anxiety.  When brothers and sisters talked about these disputes, we pastors often gave a standard response: This is political issue, it is not appropriate to discuss in churches. Thus, brothers and sisters could not express their fears and feelings. They can only suppress it in their hearts. Slowly, they will feel resentful towards churches. In the prayer meetings, some ask for prayers for US-China relationship; some ask God to save WeChat; some ask God to shut down WeChat. The practice of praying to God for China was disputed. This is increasingly a serious problem in Chinese churches.

The pastoral conference invited a Chinese professional who was specialized on US-China relationship and two renowned Chinese pastors to share their views. The professional’s share was very rich and he explained why the US-China relationship has changed from the perspectives of history, politics, and economics. More than an hour elapsed and the two pastors’ sharing time was halved. They could barely sketch churches’ proper response. During the Q&A, people’s questions focused on the political questions on US-China relationship. No one asked how churches should respond. This was a pity. Certainly, we all know of secular reasons for the changes in US-China relationship. But these secular reasons cannot help pastors to solve the questions in believers’ hearts. They cannot even promote brothers and sisters to pray for both countries. We can’t satisfy brothers and sisters that the worsening relationship is because US wants to keep the advantage of being the big brother, or that China has dealt unfairly towards America. These are secular explanations. The more we talk about from these perspectives, the less we edify others. We should instead present the spiritual perspective, God’s view: what are the spiritual reasons behind these incidents? How are the principle of God at work? When we see the spiritual reason on what has happened, we can use spiritual words according to God’s will to comfort and guide to proper prayer and action for the current political climate. Why does God let these things happen? Why is the situation in China getting more and more difficult day by day?

New China has been founded for seventy years. If we examine this period of time carefully, it is not difficult to discover that China’s destiny is closely linked to the treatment of Jesus. After the country was established in 1949, many things had not changed for the first two to three years. No attacks were on churches and believers’ religious lives were relatively free. The General public’s life was okay. But when political power became more secure, China started to persecute churches and believers’ religious freedom was restricted. Believers’ churches and religious lives were more and more painful. There was the “Three Anti-Movement” promotion in Mainland China in 1951. Closely followed was the “Five Anti-Movement” in 1952. These movements ostensibly promoted anti-corruption, using images such as fighting tigers (corrupted top government officials) and fighting flies (lesser corrupted individuals or practices). Yet sometimes suppression was the answer to any challenge. Year by year, Christians’ suffering escalated. The numbers of Christians put in jail drastically increased. At the same time, the economy slid downhill. In order to improve economy and increase productivity, Chinese government started the “Great Leap Movement” in 1958. They promoted steel as the major industry. However, other manufacturing and agriculture suffered. “The Great Leap” became the “Great Famine”. The whole country was short of food. Only God knows how many tens of thousands of people died from famine. Despite of the great suffering, society did not repent, but rather turned to attack God’s churches. In 1960, the Red Army and the Cultural Revolution swept the country. Everyday there were public meetings to criticize and denounce others. Everyone was at risk. Those whose hearts were pure and love the Lord were prepared to be put in prison anytime. Churches were shut down and Bibles were burnt. Believers from the whole country were facing unprecedented persecution. All the people in the country not only criticized and denounced each other, but also forced people to the countryside to do heavy labor, without food and without sense of security. People’s bodies and souls were in extreme misery. God’s people suffered and were attacked. Other Chinese did not have good days. It is because attacking churches is attacking God. This is called “kicking goads”, asking troubles for themselves and no good days for them.

What is “kicking goads”? Before Paul followed Jesus, he was named Saul, and he was a leader among those who attacked the church. He wanted to put believers in jail and he wanted to kill them. He even carried the commission letter of the chief priest to go to Damascus to catch more believers. But when he approached Damascus, God shone a great light on Saul and Saul fell on the ground, hearing Jesus say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. The Lord said again,” I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Paul at once realized that attacking the church, God’s people, was the same as attacking Jesus; mistreating Christians was mistreating God. Attacking a king on the earth is already a great sin. And do not mention the enemy of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? This for sure will face severe judgment. It is inevitable. God sees from heaven that His church and His children are suffering for God’s kingdom. He will surely repay and fight for His people. Paul also discovered that persecuting Christians was “kicking the goads”. The end result of attacking the church was hurting himself. The harder he kicked, the more severe was his own pain. If one stands by God’s side, this person will be blessed. If one stands on the side that is hostile toward God, judgment will definitely come upon him. Persecuting the church is “goads kicking”. The person and the country who kick goads will not have a happy ending.

In the seventies, Xiaoping Deng began a series of market economy reforms. Even though there was still some persecution on churches, the situation was much better than before. Most of the saints who suffered for the Lord were released from prison. People felt more and more safe attending church services. The number of attendees were increasing. Moreover, the churches were increasing in number and size. The people from other countries going to China to disciple other Christians felt more and more peace in their hearts. The number of trainers increased as well. From the beginning of Deng’s reform till three to four decades after, the Chinese government’s attitude toward God’s churches and believers were somewhat tolerant. God’s blessing was a tidal surge of goods and materials, economy, military, and people’s livelihood greatly improved. China leaped to become the second strongest nation in the world and could sit at equal ground with US. This is indeed all God’s grace.

However, China issued “New Religion Management Law” in February of 2018. A new wave of persecution toward churches began. Church buildings were torn down. Gathering was often suppressed. Large churches needed to disperse into tiny groups. Entering China for evangelism became more and more difficult. This is China being ungrateful to God and attacking Christ and His body. God is not mocked. Attacking Christ’s church is “kicking goads”. Judgment and disasters will come quickly. Three months after the New Religion Management Law, the first stab was the trade war. The US. White House announced that China’s good old days had ended. Since then, people have not been able to make money as easily as before and China’s economy has slid. This was a big stab. During the middle of that year, swine flu was widespread, and the economic loss was great. The next year, trying to help enrich the national treasury, China increased their effort against corruption and wanted to collect the overseas capital of the corrupt officials. They issued the extradition bill in Hong Kong. The extradition led to anti-extradition riots in Hong Kong. This is another stab that God raised against the Chinese government because they attacked the church. If the government mistreats the church, more stabs will spring up, one after another. The US issuing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, the election result of HK District Council, the Taiwan presidential election, a technological cold war, Covid-19 pandemic, and more stabs, have increasing pained the Chinese government. One wave of trouble has not settled before another wave comes, Each disaster happens more and more close together. Please note: These incidents do not mean that the people causing the disaster are right. Just as the prophet Habakkuk asked God, “Why use the Chaldeans who were worse than Israelites to judge Israel?” God only responded that He would surely judge the Chaldeans. The Israelites’ suffering was not because of the righteousness of the Chaldeans, but their own transgressions. With Covid-19, China’s envied rise suddenly became the blame of all the nations. China was being isolated. Every week all kinds of accusation, accountability, and sanctions came upon China. A lot of manufacturing moved from China. Unemployment rose drastically. Disasters like flood and locust infestation came one after another. The alarm for food shortage was rung. People’s livelihood was bitterness upon bitterness. All these are a result of persecuting the church. How long will it last? Seventy years ago China persecuted the church, the bigger the oppression was, the poorer the country was. China was even at the edge of destruction. It was not until the seventies and cessation of massive church persecution that the country began to recover. With God’s hands at work, I believe the sufferings will last until China stops oppressing the church. Then God’s victory will be revealed.

God’s promises and history have clearly show that the one persecuting God’s people (Israel or the church) will not be blessed. The country that oppressed the church will not prosper. The political power that persecutes believers will not last long. Atheist former Soviet Union persecuted the church non-stop. Its power was once spread over the whole world. But seventy years after the country was established, it dissolved in the blink of the eye. The ones who attack the church think they are kicking a ball, but do not realize that the ball becomes a ball with stingers. It is because God allows the stingers to grow on the ball to deal with those who attacks the church. They will know kicking the stinger ball is hard and repent quickly. Otherwise the whole country will increase suffering. For other sins, God’s judgment may be delayed, but the sin of persecuting the church will come quickly because the church is God’s children. Our Heavenly Father will not tolerate His children being oppressed. God’s revenging hands will come quickly. The past seventy years of New China history has clearly showed that the more severe the persecution on the church, the country will be in more difficult circumstances and people’s livelihood are more bitter. When they slightly open up to the church, God’s blessing is overflowing on them.

When we can see from above and from within, we perceive the method and principle of God at work. We understand that China is facing more and more difficult situations  because of the persecution on the church and God’s children. We will then know how to respond to the questions brothers and sisters have regarding US-China relationship. We will not be silent. We can explain the spiritual causes of China’s predicament on one hand and on the other hand promote the church to move toward the right direction to pray for China. Let China turn back to presence of God and no longer attack the church. Let the Gospel once again prospering on China land. Let God’s blessing be upon the land again. When China government once again increases the oppression on the church, we need to pray for the churches in China and for the repentance of Chinese authority. So that this country will not kick the stinger ball but rather be kind to God’s people and return to God’s blessing. The current predicament then will leave China naturally. The fate of the country is closely connected to the church. There is a positive correlation between whether a country is blessed and her attitude toward the church. In this moment that China is facing a serious predicament, may the Lord raise more of his children and churches to pray with one accord in front of the Lord that this country will repent. Pray for the hearts of the ones in authority. Pray that people will turn to the Lord in the predicament. Also pray the churches in China can be a good witness for the Lord during these days filled with oppression. These difficult days are the moment that all the church need to earnestly pray for China.

 

August and September Midwest Short-Term Mission Team (August 21-30, September 11-20)

(The following paragraph was written by Cindy Chiang)

Due to the pandemic, in addition to Pastor Ko’s cancer diagnosis, we first thought no short-term mission teams would be willing to come to Midwest, so we did not plan for having Midwest Short-term Mission teams this year. But at the beginning of June, five churches—four from California and one from Texas—firmly expressed that they wanted to come to the Midwest for mission. California and Texas had more serious Covid-19 cases than the Midwest. CWC coworkers were encouraged by them and decided we would still have August and September short-term missions. When we contacted Midwest churches, many fellowships and churches told us that they welcomed the short-term mission teams, but their church were still doing virtual meetings. There would be difficulties regarding gatherings and visitation. We are very grateful to the Lord for that the short-term mission team members broke through the barricades. They had heard their family members and brothers and sisters from church voice objection. Additionally, they would be exposed to the outside when they flew. Yet they underwent  proper preparation and did Covid testing before they came, to assure the Midwest believers. They did all the proper precautions during flight and driving. Most importantly, they felt that this was what mission supposed to be. They did not worry about their own lives for the sake of the Gospel. This was not trying to tempt God, but to fulfill the Great Commission the Lord has given us.

When we arrived at the local churches, many churches opened their doors for the first time since the pandemic in order to welcome the short-term mission teams. The teams did both in-person and virtual meetings. Local ministers and major coworkers all agreed that if schools and shops opened, if brothers and sisters returned to their working places, church people should have little cause to hide. They just need to maintain the social distance according to the government regulation and bravely step outside. Otherwise it is very hard to do evangelism. Thanks be to the Lord! Local co-workers were greatly encouraged. Short-term mission teams could reap the first fruit for the Lord. Before the arrival of the short-term mission teams, CWC, mission teams, and local church all had worries and dilemma. But we thank God for allowing us to complete this mission! During August in-person Bible Camp and Disciple Training Camp, August and September mission teams, none of the brothers and sisters attending the camps and mission team members were affected by the virus, no not one. Short-term mission team 2020 has deeply edified our CWC coworkers, mission team members, and all the local churches. Let us give praises and thanksgivings to God.

The most touching part was that at each church that we went, we heard prayers in the churches for Pastor Ko’s health. We deeply believe that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). Pastor Ko’s labor in the Lord is not in vain (2 Corinthians 15:58).

Winter Conference and Fortieth Anniversary Thanksgiving Meeting (December 23-27)

Despite the ongoing pandemic, by faith we plan for the year-end winter conference. The summer Bible Camp, Disciple Training Camp and August and September short-term missions were all in-person gatherings. By God’s might watching over us and drawing people to attend, the Lord’s Words built up His mighty warriors. We have seen the Lord’s lead and we are willing to rely on the Lord’s grace again to plan for the three year-end meetings. We trust that the Lord will strengthen us. More people will be blessed and revive more people’s hearts that love the Lord to follow the Lord. This year’s winter conference will be in the hotel that we have used for many years—Kansas City Sheraton Hotel in Crown Center. Our speakers are Rev. Tsu Kung Chuang, Rev. Brian Lam, Elder Daniel Luan, Rev. Gary Hua, Rev. Benjamin Tam, and more. This year is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Christian Witness Center. Let us come together to thank God’s guidance. Registration details will come out in October. Online registration will begin on November 15th. Please prepare your time and encourage other brothers and sisters and non-believers to come to the Lord’s feast.

December Disciple and Coworker Training Camp (December 17- January 2)

We still plan to hold the camp in-person. Speakers are Rev. Tsu Kung Chuang and Rev. Brian Lam. The registration form has been posted on CWC webpage. Deadline is December 20th. Due to the limitation of the location, if you want to attend, please sign up ASAP.

January Bible Camp (Revelation) (January 3-9, 2021)

Revelation is a book brothers and sisters love to read, but find hard to understand. We still plan to hold the camp in-person. The speakers are Rev. Chihhao Shen and Mrs. Juanna Wu. A registration form and reading schedule have been posted on the CWC webpage. Deadline is November 15th. Participants must first attend disciple training camp within the last two years. If you want to come to this Bible camp but do not qualify above criteria, please do not miss the December disciple training camp. This is your last chance to qualify for the January Bible camp.

Introducing New Co-worker

Thanks be to the Lord! He has led Rev. Charles Huang to join CWC’s ministry. Rev. Huang always came to CWC meetings when he was in college. When he worked full time, he often joined the California short-term mission team to the Midwest to share the Gospel. He joined Dallas Chinese Fellowship Church when he was studying in Dallas Theological Seminary. He led the short-term mission teams from DCFC to the Winter Conference. After graduating from seminary, he served as a campus minister at Cupertino Home of Christ Church for two years and brought students to come to Winter Conference and Disciple Training camp. Then he returned to Taipei to pastor and serve in Grace Baptist Church for about eight years. Recently God called him to CWC. Rev. Huang will leave Taiwan in October and start being CWC coworker in November. We plan to let him and his family station in Champaign, IL. He will pastor the local Chinese church and help with the surrounding campuses and churches. He will also promote disciple training ministry with other CWC coworkers. Champaign has the highest Chinse student population among CWC friends and is also a very challenging and good place for campus ministry. We trust that God will greatly use them. Please pray for his family moving from Taiwan to the Midwest. May the Lord use them.

Pastor Ko’s Update

After seven chemotherapy treatments, Pastor Ko’s body is better and better. He has more energy now than the beginning of June when he first started the treatment. No adverse side effects have arisen, and his food intake has returned to normal. In the past he was losing weight. But now he has started to gain some weight. He feels that he is enjoying the Lord’s grace during the treatments. The doctors are satisfied with the results of chemotherapy. The tumor has shrunk greatly. The plan is finishing the last chemotherapy on Oct 6. The surgery will be at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis MO in mid-November. It is a major surgery and needs you to uphold Pastor Ko in your prayers. Praise God! Brothers and sisters from all over have been praying without ceasing for Pastor Ko. We believe God will do wonderful work. Even though Pastor Ko cannot as usually go to your churches and fellowships, he is very grateful for your prayers. He has posted updates on his health each week on the CWC website. Please continue to pray for Pastor Ko’s surgery. May the Lord in charge and heal. You are welcome to join our online prayer meeting and study every Sunday at 6:30pm (central time). Zoom meeting ID is 8110999917. Please text Pastor Ko at 573-999-6235 for password. Please join us.

Children Activity Center Expansion Project

About three years ago our American coworkers of children’s ministry suggested we build a children’s activity center next to Mark Hall, so that the children could have more space for activity. Especially during bad weather, the children can still have places for activity. So after we finished dining hall expansion and repairing coworkers’ housing, we have started building the activity center. There is a concrete area adjacent to Mark Hall that we used to play basketball on. We added a cover two stories tall that can be used for activity and playing ball and also be used as classroom. We hope that we can build the outside walls before winter, so that we can focus on the interior projects when it is too cold to work outside in the winter. Please pray for the building project. May the Lord help us to finish the project smoothly and pray the Lord will provide enough funding.

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests

  1. We thank God for the smooth completion of August and September short-term mission teams. Despite the huge challenge due to the pandemic, the Lord’s grace is sufficient. By in-person and virtual meetings and visits, we bring a great harvest back.
  2. Besides winter, June till August was the second busiest season for the CWC ministry. After the conclusion of September short-term mission team, Cindy Chiang’s ministry and life finally can return to normal. Please pray for her as she administrates in CWC during the weekdays and ministers at churches and campuses on weekends.
  3. Pray for Qing-Long Liang and his family. May the Lord bless his service in Columbia, Missouri and other churches. Also pray for his R-1 religious visa application. May God guide and lead the way.
  4. Pray for Pastor Ko as he will have the last chemotherapy treatment in October. After resting for six weeks, he will go to hospital in St. Louis for surgery. Earnestly pray that the Mighty Healer will work to remove the tumor, and that Pastor Ko can return to his ministry in good health. Also pray for Mrs. Ko’s thyroid treatment. May the Lord keep her and heal her.
  5. Pray for Scott, the maintenance coworker, for his hands of work. Also may the Lord bless his family, especially the two daughters who have left home for colleges this year.
  6. Pray for Rev. Charles Huang. May the Lord watch over his journey from Taiwan to the US. Also pray for his new ministry.
  7. Pray for the general fund for the CWC for this month. May God move among more brothers and sisters to support our ministry by prayers and offerings.
  8. May the Lord end the pandemic quickly, so we can hold the three winter meetings (winter conference, disciple training camp, and Bible camp) in-person.

May the Lord bless you and your family.

In Him,
Pastor Billy Ko