The church in Beijing

Visited two very different Christian gatherings over the last two weekends.

The home church that PPC is supporting reaches out to the university students. Many Christians there are young believers and have come to faith during their school years. Coming to gather must be done discreetly, only few can come in and out of the apartment at anyone time to avoid attention. Even though the settings are very humble, what struck me was the sincerity, seriousness and spontaneity of the gathering.

Some leaders chided chat groups that were too loud before the service started. Prayer time for confession of sins was treated seriously by everyone and it lasted a good 10-15min. (how long would something like that last back home, I wonder?) The song leader memorized her script for sharing, including an entire psalm! Questions asked by the pastor/leader drew responses almost immediately- both in a congregational and a small group setting (very un-singapore :p)
Was really thankful to once again be in midst of brothers and sisters after two weeks in Beijing. It was encouraging also to listen to how God brought some of them to Himself and the church, and even more so the work is He doing in this fast growing community.

A flurry of mixed feelings welled inside me at the end of the day. I distinctly felt the cultural and language differences between us, made me miss the fellowship at home so much more. As much as I am torn by my inability to “feel a connection” with them (but it may well be because it’s only my first time there), yet I am also deeply moved by the reality that the common ground on which we stand is even stronger. One Christ, one Gospel, one faith, one hope, one Spirit.

The international Christian fellowship BICF (www.bicf.org) is as it sounds, very international. It’s huge and only holders of foreign passports can enter. (I wonder why, is it a condition when the government allowed them to set up the church? So their main outreach is to the international community? Hmm…)
I got a shock when I arrived at the auditorium- have never seen so many Caucasians, African(-Americans), Philippinos,… appear in front of me in Beijing. And as I stood there in midst of the congregation, it felt like a minor glimpse of heaven- every tongue, every tribe, every nation, every land will come and confess that He is Lord. The sheer diversity of the people who were gathered there caused me to just be amazed at all that God is doing in the different lands to bring people to Himself. And strangely, I felt at home in midst of the diversity.

Coincidentally Max Lucado was there for the week. And got to see him for the first time- I like his very down-to-earth passion when he preaches, not the typical effusing American (heh). The sermon was very his style- inspiring discourse on the five words from Psalm 23- The Lord is my Shepherd. Most prob out of his Travelling Light :) Not a bad message (who am I to judge!), but it made me miss the “digging into the Bible” type of sermons back home.
Anyhow, what was really encouraging was that Max shared that he was there for a friendly visit- to visit the Chinese officials from the various government bodies (eg. social work, etc.) to build relationships and open doors for Gospel opportunities by working with them through these avenues. It was heartening to see what people were doing to bring the good news into China.

Two different visits, two very different experiences. It opened my eyes to witness God’s work all around the world. Very humbling, very encouraging, very exciting!!! Yet at the same time I see many a great need for the church in China. Be it a shortage of workers in the local churches (like only one pastor for a congregation of 60-80, not enough!!) or a lack of good Bible study teachers (am a bit concerned with how the Bible is taught in small groups in BICF- but haven visited one before so cant say more), there is no doubt a huge mission field out there.

And as Desmond says, Singapore is truly blessed spiritually- all the good teaching we have back home, we have so taken for granted. Thank God for His grace upon Singapore! And somehow in light of the Gospel needs this world has, the “church problems” we face back home really aint as big as they seem. Trust Him who began the good work in us! It’s His Kingdom… mustard seed but huge huge tree! Look beyond the local walls each time we are discouraged and give thanks for how His Kingdom is advancing!

Right now, I really miss taking girls for Bible Study… But I know He is at work even till this day, everywhere, every moment, where we are… where I am. So pray that I will be faithful where I am, to seize every opportunity to testify to Him, to give a reason for the faith I profess, to encourage n exhort fellow Christians… Pray for me to keep my eyes open to His work around me and be obedient when He involves me in His work.

Pray also for Him to lead me to the community He would want me to be in, where hopefully i can make a teeny weeny diff during this short stay.. not too sure if i will be effective in the local church, or am i simply taking the easy way out by being in an international group.. or maybe i can do both? would like to know more local churches around my area so i can bring my collagues too, if i have a chance to share the Gospel with them.. so yeah.. advice welcomed!!