Dear Brothers and Sisters, Peace to you in the Lord!
As I am writing this letter, the Midwest is experiencing a bitter Arctic cold front, with temperatures dropping to minus 8 degrees Fahrenheit, we immediately notice that there are fewer cars on the streets, fewer people shopping in stores (and fewer people attending the church)! Reflecting back when I first came to the United States from subtropical Taiwan, I really didn’t have any idea how to survive the winter cold then. Often with hunched back (It was too cold that I had to shrink my body) walking extremely cautious (fear of slipping and falling), I was overwhelmed by the cold! Now I realized that having the right outfit and gear is very important. Back then: the gloves and hats I brought from Taiwan were fancy but not functional because they were yarn-knitted with holes, and only thin, and shoes were flat-soled leather shoes. I was still shivering even I was wrapped like a zongzi! The worse things were that the car often couldn’t start, or would skid when driving on the thin ice, etc. After years of observation and training, I finally learned that the Americans only need to wear a heavy down coat, a pair of thick, non-slip shoes (whether they look good or not), and as for gloves, it is better to be made of wool or leather, and you must change the water to antifreeze for your cars in winter… This gave me a new spiritual insight: Are we equipped enough as Christians to deal with a troubled world and the vicious enemy, the devil?
No wonder Paul mentions Christian armor in Ephesians 6:11-17: He says, ” Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might, Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil {one.},… In fact, every piece of equipment is very pertinent, and takes their time to meditate.
The above was my thoughts inspired by the winter scene, and now I would like to share how the Lord has blessed CWC’s ministry this winter.
In the morning of December 17, as the CWC co-workers (plus an American brother) left the Center in one bus, two vans with trailers, and another van loaded with all essential equipment for the Winter Conference (venue equipment, pots and pans, plates, forks, books, etc.), I prayed for their travel safety with these old vehicles and with the help of brothers & sisters from Kansas City, Columbia, and Lawrence all equipment would be unloaded and set up in the hotel smoothly. The registration team and I arrived Sheraton Hotel at noon on the 21st.
Winter Conference began in the afternoon of December 22. Praise the Lord! 1,000 adults and children attended this meeting. Thank the Lord for preparing the speakers, who are all dedicated to sharing the insights they have received from the Lord, and all brothers and sisters have deeply cultivated by their messages. God has also sent several short-term mission teams to help in the conference. We thank and praise the Lord for having 19 gospel friends (who have never done a prayer of confession before) to accept Jesus as their personal Savior, and 13 others were baptized at the Winter Conference.
After the Winter Conference in the afternoon of December 26, thank the Lord, in addition to the brothers and sisters who would stay and participate in the Discipleship Training, some short-term mission team members, plus some brothers and sisters who voluntarily stayed behind, with all the help from these brothers and sisters, the work of disassembling the sound system and equipment, packing the boxes, and loading the goods on the vehicles was completed at 4 o’clock, and all could safely returned to the Center at about 7 o’clock for the Discipleship Training which began that night (December 26-31). Although CWC only has few coworkers, we believe that this is the work of the Lord, and He has completed it in His Way. Praise the Lord.
More than 100 brothers and sisters brought their 30 children to the December Discipleship Training. The special feature of this training camp is that half of the participants came from the east and west coast either by plane, or had driven for two days (maybe it’s because the airfare is too expensive); and the other feature is that there were many young people! To paraphrase one of the speakers, Pastor Larry Wong, who said that he had never preached to so many young people before! You might be thinking that young people typically would be impetuous, not able to sit still for long and esoteric messages, but you are wrong. This Discipleship Training was not only orderly, brothers and sisters were very attentive, they sang with loud and powerful voices for the traditional hymns, and prayed one after another without interruption. Thank the Lord for the two speakers who wholeheartedly shared all they have from the Lord, and all the brothers and sisters have received deep learning from them. This reminds us that we need to provide a direction to the young people, bring them to the Lord and root them in the Lord, and equip them in the Bible, in ministry, and in life for they are the future new force of the Chinese church.
There was not a day of rest. After the Discipleship Training ended at noon on December 31, Bible Camp began that night! Our whole mode immediately shifted to “The History of the Exile and the Return of Israel”! 54 adults with 20 children came to attend, and after six days of solid study, thank the Lord, we could clearly see the unwavering love of God for His people. The Lord, though sent them into exile three times because of their sin, but brought them back to their homeland three times through His servants: Zerubbabel, Joshua, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and re-established them in God’s Word because He is the God who keeps covenant and showing lovingkindness. By the end of the meeting, more than 50 people had turned in their August registration forms, excited and ready to study the Life of Christ, for they had tasted the sweetness of God’s Word and would like to start early to prepare for it! If you are interested in participating, please register early to start preparing your heart and your homework, please click here for the registration form.
This year, the theme of our prayer letter will be “Return to God, Expecting a Revival”, and in this issue, we have specially asked CWC board member, Pastor Danny Li, to share: ” Out from the Pandemic, In for the Promises”.
Out from the Pandemic, In for the Promises
Pastor Danny Li
Thank the Lord for leading us into 2024. In 2023, we have experienced a transition from online gatherings to in-person meetings; from not being able to have dinner together to in-person potluck dinners in New Year’s celebration, Welcome Party and Mid-Autumn Festival, it seems that everything has been back to normal. Now that the pandemic out there is in the past, but has your spiritual life come out from the impact of pandemic? Has your relationship with God, with brothers and sisters, and with gospel friends also gone up to a passionate spiritual level?
In the Book of Joshua chapter 3, it was the time when the Israelites had already left Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, walked in the wilderness for forty years, and were preparing to enter the Promised Land on the east side of the Jordan River. For some Israelites, it might have been enough to get to the east of the Jordan River, and wondered if this was the place where they would be settled? And it turned out later that truly two and a half tribes of Israelites actually stayed on the east side of the Jordan River and settled down there.
Do you also have the same thought that staying on the east side of the Jordan River is enough by thinking that “I have left Egypt, now I have left the wilderness, and that should be good enough, I don’t need to cross the Jordan River anymore, and no longer need to fight in the war.” Just like after the pandemic, some people feel that online gatherings are pretty good, because they can still attend meetings and be virtually with everyone, and that they really don’t need to go to church or participate in training camps. Will settle down on the east side of the Jordan River satisfy you and me?
But for Joshua and most of the Israelites, the true blessing of God was to cross to the west side of the Jordan River, without fear of trouble or hardship, to reach the land God had promised them. Let’s learn three lessons from Joshua 3:1-17.
1.Serve God in Fear
In Joshua 3, God commanded the Israelites that when the priests, who were Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant, they were to move out where they were staying and start following it. God commanded that the Israelites to keep a certain distance from the ark of the covenant, and the night before they crossed the Jordan, they were to consecrate themselves. The Ark of the Covenant represents God’s presence and holiness, and people need to be self-sanctified and come to God with a God-fearing heart.
Return to fervent worship after the pandemic, from the basic dressing up, to singing and reading the Bible, you need to come to God with a God-fearing heart in order to experience God’s presence more deeply.
2. Be Submissive to the Leader
In the short passage of verses 1-17 in chapter 3, the word “ark of the covenant” appeared 11 times. It is clear that God is their Leader. God called both the priests and the Levites to go before the people and lead them. In Chapter 3, the roles of the Leader and followers are clear. God told them who should go in the front and who should follow. If there is no Leader, there probably would be different opinions by saying to cross the river here or there, and everyone would have gone their own way.
Verse 4 specifically says, “Since you have never been this way before. “, therefore, we need to learn to be obedient. Post-pandemic, we may have been accustomed to online meetings and choose our favorite speakers or sermons, but when we return to in-person meetings at church, we need to learn to submit the leadership of church leaders. Serving the Lord with one heart is what keeps us on the path of God’s promises.
3. Steps of faith
The scriptures say that the Israelites waited by the Jordan River for three days, for “the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest”. If you were an Israelite and had spent three days by the river, what would you be thinking? Do you want to wait until the water to flow slower and drier to cross the river? Wouldn’t that be safer? Verse 15 tells us that “as soon as the priests who carried ark of the covenant reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stooped flowing, and Israelites passed by on the dry ground.” God is a God of performing wonders, the question is whether we draw on the grace that God has already prepared for us by faith.
In the new year, let us invite more Christians and our gospel friends to walk into the blessings God has promised with a God-fearing heart, and submit to the leadership of our spiritual leaders by steps of faith.
Future Meetings:
(1) Spring Break Gospel Camp (3/8 evening to 3/11 noon)
Praise the Lord! This year’s camp has prepared for us speakers: Pastor Patrik Shing and Pastor George Hsu to share their experiences, and CCIC-South Valley will also send a short-term mission team to help. A graduate of Iowa State University (Ames, IA), Pastor Shing worked and served in Ele Paso, Texas, and later went on to seminary. Briefly served at the 5th Home of Christ in California, his heart and thoughts were still on the Midwest El Paso church which is on the Mexico border. So he went back without hesitation and faithfully served there for decades. Pastor Hsu served at Emmanuel Chinese Baptist Church in Kansas City for many years and continues to preach throughout the country after his retirement. Please mark your calendar and start preparing to participate and invite your gospel friends to attend, Pastor Ko often said, “If Christians don’t come to the gospel camp, how can nonbelivers come?” Please pay attention for online registration which will be posted on CWC website soon.
(2) May Discipleship Training (5/19-24) and Memorial Weekend Lay-Minister Training (5/24-27)
The speakers for the May Discipleship Training Camp are: Pastor David Su, Pastor Xiao Yuan and CWC coworkers. Pastor Su had led the CWC Bible Camp many times in the past, after retiring from the church in New York two years ago, Pastor Su has devoted himself to writing books of Bible study methods and exegesis. Pastor Yuan is currently serving in Washington, D.C. Memorial Weekend Lay-Minister Training is especially for believers who are working full time and is held on the long weekend of . Memorial Day. In addition to the above two speakers, Elder Johnson Lee will be another speaker. After receiving his Ph.D. from Stanford University, Elder Lee has been working in the Bay Area, California, and has faithfully served in the church, and was ordained as a church elder. Elder Lee took early retirement and is now serving in CCIC-Cupertino full-time, he is certainly a great role model for all who are working full-time. Please pay attention for online registration which will be posted on CWC website soon.
(3) August Bible Camp (7/28-8/3)
This time we are going to study “Life of the Christ – The Four Gospels”. If you are interested in participating the camp, study schedule and registration form have already been posted on the website, please download. The speaker will be Pastor Daniel Shen, and strict deadline is 6/15. Please do not miss this precious opportunity. Click here for detailed information.
Sunday Online Bible Study & Prayer Meeting: (Please note the Zoom ID and passcode are changed)
During the pandemic, many churches’ meetings were held online, that was why Pastor Ko started this Sunday evening Bible study and prayer meeting to lead brothers and sisters continue to have a life of Bible reading, prayer, and spiritual sharing. After the August Bible Camp, CWC coworkers have decided to utilize this platform, not only to help brothers and sisters to prepare for the next Bible Camp (we will teach how to study the Bible, how to do the outlines, and how to write the assigned topic reports), but also spend some time to pray for the need of CWC ministry. We will shorten the meeting to one hour (7:00-8:00PM CT) so that it will not affect your next day schedule. We will study “Life of the Christ – The Four Gospels”. Zoom ID is: 85888709271, passcode: 567482. Please come and study the Bible together that we will be equipped in the Lord.
Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests
1. Give thanks to the Lord for the past meetings; Praying for the spiritual growth of new believers.
2. Please pray for the preparation work of March Gospel Camp, and for the heart of Gospel friends to attend this meeting.
3. Please pray for the preparation work of May Discipleship Training/Memorial Weekend Lay-Minister Training, June Youth Camp, and August Bible Camp, and for the heart of brothers and sisters to attend this meeting.
4. For Coworkers:
- Mrs. Sylvia Ko: Thank God for blessing the three meaningful meetings at the end of the year. My soul and spirit were overjoyed despite the weakness of the flesh. May the Lord continue grant strength to run with endurance the race that is set before me in this cold winter Please continue to pray for my grandson Levi, who will be undergo surgery on 2/15 (Lord willing). May the Lord watch over him for good physical condition and able to pass the preoperative evaluation.
- Sister Cindy Chiang: In January and February, I need to concentrate on the many tasks that should be done after the winter meetings and unfinished business of last year (taxes are an important one). Pray that the Lord will give me wisdom and knowledge from above, to setting my mind on God’s heart, and to make good use of my time, and to be healthy before the Lord physically, emotionally and spiritually.
- Brother Qinglong Liang: Pray that the Lord will give him obedient heart serving at the church and families according to God’s will. Pray that the Lord will give me a spirit of willingness to serve Him and others according to His will; Pray for wisdom and strength from the Lord for me and my wife that we may raise our three children God’s way; Pray that the Lord give me a heart of prayer that I will be obedient to Him wherever He leads me.
- Pastor Charles Huang: Pray that the Lord raise up a student ministry in Champaign Chinese Christian Church, and bless all the student fellowship groups, gospel group, Sunday School at the church and the campus Bible study group. Pray for Pastor Huang to have wisdom and spiritual ability shepherding the church in Champaign and in the surrounding areas. May the Lord raise up a group of brothers and sisters with spiritual appetite. Please pray his wife Judy for strength from the Lord serving in the Youth ministry and Meal ministry. Also pray for the healing from the Lord on her cervical and lumbar vertebrae that have nerve compression. Also pray for the growth of his three children, especially for Faith, his eldest daughter, for her first-year study in the Moody Bible Institute.
- American coworker Scott Jerome: Please continue to pray for his wife, Becci’s injured shoulder, and for their family’s ministry in CWC and in the local church.
5. Pray for the CWC monthly financial need (General fund, Building fund, Training fund, etc.) asking the Lord to manifest His abundant provision and allow more brothers and sisters to experience the blessings of giving.
6. For CWC: Pray that the Lord will bring more co-workers to the CWC ministry for the furtherance of the gospel ministry in the Midwest.
Emmanuel
In the Lord,
Sister Cindy Chiang