Peace to you in the Lord, brothers and sisters!
It seems as if 2025 was only yesterday; in the blink of an eye, we find the calendar already turned to its final page. It truly echoes a poet’s words: “What was near has become far, and what was far has drawn near.” We thought January was still close at hand, but it has long since slipped away with the wind; and we felt December was still far off, yet it now stands quietly before us. Looking back on 2025, the world has undergone many shocking and turbulent changes. Even for us who live in the United States, ever since the new president took office and issued many “new policies,” the area most affected for Chinese in North America has been a tightening immigration policy! Now, obtaining an F-1 student visa requires passing through layer after layer of scrutiny. And after finally graduating, those hoping to find jobs and apply for an H-1B visa will face even more new requirements beginning next year. As a result, the number of Chinese students in the U.S. has sharply decreased; naturally, attendance at Chinese Bible study groups and churches has also declined. Even professors, because of federal budget cuts earlier this year, must work harder to write proposals to secure funding; otherwise, they cannot recruit students into their labs. The circumstances around us do not appear smooth or encouraging. Yet in November, the Lord reminded me through Habakkuk 3:17–19: “Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, {Though} the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ {feet,} And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.”
During the prophet Habakkuk’s time (609–597 BC), the nation was politically unstable and in turmoil. Israel, the northern kingdom had already fallen; a newly arisen Babylon was unstoppable—destroying Assyria, defeating Egypt, and making Judah’s king Jehoiakim a puppet regime. The nation was full of sin and devoid of justice. God seemed to hide His face, ignore His people’s suffering, and even using the more ruthless Babylonians to discipline Judah! Habakkuk could not understand, and in chapter 1 he raised many cries of “Why? Why? Why?” But Habakkuk still chose to stand at the watch post and look to see what God would speak to him (2:1). Finally, in chapter 3, he offered his great “Though… yet…” praise. If 2024 was the year God strengthened my faith, then 2025 has been the year He taught me to wait. Indeed, day after day and month after month of waiting without seeing God’s answer can make the heart anxious. But thanks be to the Lord! Over these past months, God has taught me humility—to know that He is the King who reigns on the throne. “Though people may make mistakes or cause delays, Yet God never errs.”
As you receive this letter, we are in the midst of intense preparation for all our winter meetings. This year’s “though… yet…” experiences have strengthened my faith as I prepare for the three winter events, and up to now, I have seen God gradually granting blessing and opening the way. Winter Conference registration has only been online for two weeks, yet many people have already responded enthusiastically. This year the conference will be held in St. Louis. We thank the Lord that several Chinese churches there are very glad we are hosting the conference in their city and have proactively offered whatever help we may need. By the end of November, nearly 110 brothers and sisters had registered for the December Discipleship Training (with almost 50 children coming with them). Most of these registrants are traveling from states quite far from us (such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Dakota, etc.). It is almost close the numbers before the pandemic. Before the November 15 deadline, nearly 80 people had registered for the Bible Camp. We look forward to God’s abundant blessing upon all three meetings this year.
Theme of our prayer letters this year is “Proclaiming the Gospel and Making Disciples.” This issue features an article by CWC coworker Pastor Qinglong Liang:
Becoming a Disciple After God’s Own Heart
The most important command that the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples is to love one another. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and our lives are transformed, we will naturally desire to love God’s children and to help the brothers and sisters around us. This pleases God greatly, yet it is also a great challenge. We may try many different ways, but often it is hard to see real change in people’s lives. However, the message in Romans 11 gives us helpful guidance. Paul explains that because of Israel’s disobedience, salvation has come to the Gentiles, and those Gentiles who are saved can in turn become a testimony that stirs Israel to repentance—ultimately fulfilling God’s purpose of saving all whom He has chosen. Today, our salvation is entirely the result of God’s mercy. Paul reminds us to prepare ourselves in three ways so that we may be used by the Lord, become disciples after His own heart, and bring blessing to many, so that the lives of God’s children around us may be renewed.
First, do not be proud. Paul recalls how the Old Testament prophet Elijah was reminded by the Lord. Elijah thought he was the only one left in Israel who still courageously followed God, but God told him that He had preserved seven thousand who had not bowed to idols and continued to follow Him even in difficult times. This reminds us that in our own generation, we are not the only ones standing for the Lord—God has prepared many believers who also remain faithful. Paul also reminds us that we, who were once disobedient, have been saved only because of the faith that God has given us. We, together with all of God’s children, are like branches grafted into the tree, receiving life from the root. Therefore, we must not be arrogant. We must never think that we are the ones saving others, nor that we are the ones truly helping others. It is all the work of the risen Lord Jesus, who saves sinners from death.
Second, live in reverence before God. Paul teaches that if God did not spare the original branches—the Israelites who fell into disobedience—but cut them off, then He will certainly not tolerate the Gentiles either, if they also choose to sin and rebel against Him. He warns that God will cut them off as well. Paul reminds the saved Gentiles to live as Christians who fear God, firmly set our mind to do only what pleases Him.
Third, remain in God’s kindness. Finally, Paul emphasizes that God has shown great kindness to us Gentiles who have been saved. Any accomplishments we have are entirely the result of God’s grace; they do not come from within us, but are freely given through Christ Jesus. Since we have received kindness, we are also called to show kindness to others. May the Lord help us to be people who treat others with kindness—not asking what we can gain from them, but asking instead what we can give for their sake.
Brothers and sisters, God has placed us in the field where we are now so that our lives may continue to be renewed and transformed, reflecting more and more the character of Jesus. Whether we are dealing with unbelieving friends or with fellow believers, what we need is this: not to be proud, not to have any sense of superiority, but always to revere the God who saved us, and in every situation, to treat each person around us with the same kindness God has shown us.
Future Meetings
(1) December Winter Conference (Evening of Dec. 20 – Noon of Dec. 24)
This year’s Winter Conference will be held at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. If you and members of your church wish to attend but have not yet registered, please register soon! The conference will also include evangelistic messages, so we encourage you not only to come yourself but to invite your gospel friends.
Our Winter Conference is different from typical retreats. Pastor Ko and I call it a “Discipleship Training in Winter Conference”. The focus of our ministry is discipleship and edifying believers. We may not invite 20 plus speakers with each preaching only one or two sessions (which would also require a very high budget). Instead, we select one topic and teach through seven consecutive sessions, enabling in-depth study. Examples:Minister Rosie Hao will conduct a Family Workshop: “Enhancing the Happiness of My Home”; Mrs. Esther Lai will teach “Ten-Step Exegetical Study on the Book of Jonah”; Elder Manchild Yu: Church Governance and Growth”; Pastor Brian Lam on “Facing the Controversial Social Issues”; Pastor Johann Lai: Exploring Spiritual Issues”, etc. These topics were selected after extensive discussion with each speaker and are focusing on areas today’s believers are eager to learn about. Seven evangelistic messages will be given by Pastor Tsu-Kung Chuang and Elder Manchild Yu on: “Discussing the Life” and “The Quest for Eternality”. In addition, Pastor. Johann Lai will lead the theme message: “The Way of Faith towards Glory”; and Pastor Tsu-Kung Chuang will lead the evangelistic rally “The Quest of Life,” and Pastor Brian Lam will lead the revival session “Behold! Your God”. The English group speakers include Pastor Albert Yip and Pastor Steve Tan with the theme “Rest and Restoration”. Please do not miss this spiritual feast! Full details and the online registration form are posted on CWC website. The strict registration deadline is Dec. 14 at 4:00 p.m.
(2) December Discipleship Training (Evening of Dec. 24 – Noon of Dec. 28
Immediately after the Winter Conference ends, we will begin the December Discipleship Training that same evening. To align with the conference schedule and not overlap with the January Bible Camp (since many schools resume right after), we have shortened the training to four full days. Although the duration of the meeting is shorter, full-time participation is required. We thank the Lord that Pastor Luke Tsai, President of Christian Witness Seminary, and Minister Rosie Hao from New York Faith Bible Seminary, will come to teach the following topics: How to Creatively Lead a Bible Study; Spiritual Secrets of Apostle Paul; The Song of Songs — Song of Solomon; Freedom, Self-Control, and Wisdom — Exposition and Application of 1 Corinthians 5–7; Ten Questions About the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. Please reserve your time and invite brothers and sisters from your church to come and be spiritually equipped together. The registration form is on our website click here. The deadline is December 14.
(3) January Bible Camp (Dec. 28, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026)
This time we will continue from the Pauline Epistles to study the General Epistles. Thank the Lord! In the August Bible Camp, everyone was deeply engaged and resolved to continue with the General Epistles. Nearly 80 brothers and sisters have registered, and Pastor Daniel Shen will teach. Registration is now closed. If you missed it, please quickly register for the December Discipleship Training, because participation in Bible Camp requires completing discipleship training first. That way you can register for next August’s “Poetry and Wisdom Books”.
Sunday Online Bible Study & Prayer Meeting
Every month we post the prayer requests on our website. You can remember us in your personal prayers, or pray for us at your church’s prayer meetings. However, a great opportunity to pray together with the center’s coworkers is during the Bible reading and prayer meeting led by the coworkers every Sunday night at 7 PM. This prayer meeting also has the purpose of helping everyone to start preparing for the Bible Camp in advance, so that when the time comes, you won’t be caught unprepared and think about giving up. Of course, if you are not attending the Bible Camp, you can still systematically study the Bible with us. This semester, we will be studying the ‘General Epistles.’ In the first 30 minutes, the coworkers will lead everyone in studying the General Epistles chapter by chapter plus guidance on how to study, write outlines, and topical reports. In the second 30 minutes, we will pray in one accord for CWC ministry and coworkers according to the monthly prayer calendar. So if you are willing to pray for us, you can join our Bible reading and prayer meeting. In order not to affect the brothers and sisters’ work and school the next day, we have shortened it to one hour (7:00-8:00 PM Central Time). We will use Zoom, with the ID: 85888709271, and the password: 567482. We invite everyone to come and study the Bible together and pray for the center.
Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests
1. Thank God for His provision, and thank you for your prayers. The Lord has prepared the venue for this year’s Winter Conference: the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Please pray for those who have registered and those who have not yet registered, as well as for our gospel friends. Pray for good adjustment to the new venue and good relationship with the hotel staff, that the Lord would grant us favor in their eyes so they may provide the help we need.
2. Please pray for brothers and sisters who have registered for the December Discipleship Training and January Bible Camp, and pray for the preparation work of our coworkers—that God would grant sufficient grace and strength.
3. Pray for good weather during the three winter meetings, so that everyone may travel safely.
4. Pray for coworkers:
○ Mrs. Sylvia Ko: In October and November, my grandson had a surgery, and I also took time driving to Texas to visit old friends and my son’s family. Thank the Lord for His protection on the road. I plan to attend both Winter Conference and Discipleship Training in December. May the Lord grant good weather, health, and strength to serve.
○ Sister Cindy Chiang: Pray for her as she faces heavy preparation for the three winter events. May the Lord grant wisdom, strength, spiritual vitality, physical stamina, and a heart that remains calm and steadfast in the Lord.
○ Pastor Qinglong Liang: Pray for humility as he prepares for Winter Conference, Discipleship Training, and Bible Camp according to the Lord’s will; that he may know God more deeply through personal prayer and His Word; and that his family may pursue the Lord together and serve those around them.
○Pastor Charles Huang: Pray for his pastoral and gospel ministry at the Champaign Chinese Christian church, that the Lord may grant wisdom and His Word; pray for God’s blessing on the three winter meetings; pray for his newly-believing parents in Taiwan to be rooted in a stable church life, grounded in God’s Word, and growing in firm faith; pray for his three children as they finish the semester—especially for the second child, Jeremy, to discern God’s leading regarding his interests and college applications.
○ Coworker Scott Jerome: Pray for children’s workers for the upcoming winter camps. Pray for our two daughters and their pregnancies, as both are scheduled for early induction around the beginning of January.
5. Financial Needs: 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