IN THIS ISSUE

* The 100th Anniversary of the Boxer Uprising

* Luis Palau Preaches In China

* Spiritual Hunger In China

* Kowloon Tong International Church

* Good Web Sites To Visit

* Paul Bartel Missionary Biography Underway

THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOXER UPRISING

The year 2000 is the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of 239 missionaries in China in what is known as the Boxer Uprising. 189 were Protestant and 40 were Catholic. The two mission societies with the greatest toll of martyrs were the China Inland Mission, now called Overseas Missionary Fellowship and The Christian and Missionary Alliance. The CIM (OMF) lost 79 and the C&MA lost 36. Each of these missionaries were committed to serve the Lord in China and bring hope and light to her millions. It was on August 19, 1900 that Rev. C. L. and Augusta Lundberg, ages 33 and 28, their 3 children and nine others of The C&MA were beheaded and burned. Many had already died, many more were to follow. The accounts of the murders reported by loyal Christians whose hearts were broken by the tragedy, tell the gruesome story. Some were beheaded, their bodies stripped of clothing and valuables, and then burned. One woman was badly beaten; then run over repeatedly by an ox cart.  Many things contributed to this mass slaughter of foreign missionaries, the largest ever such martyrdom in the history of Christian missions. At that time, China was in the throes of upheaval. The Manchu Dynasty was of Mongolian origin and was itself a hated and very unpopular dynasty tottering on the brink of overthrow which finally took place in 1911. In addition, China had endured a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Japanese in 1895 which resulted in European countries responding with a policy called, "carving up the Chinese melon." European powers and America began to scramble for what was called "spheres of interest" which in affect held the Chinese government prisoner in their own land. As a result, discontent began to sweep through the land and threatened the Empress Dowager’s dynasty. The people cried out for China to rid itself of all foreign influence, both western imperialism and the Manchu dynasty. The Empress managed, however, to turn the people’s revolt against westerners, and particularly missionaries. She convinced the people that the disasters in China were the result of turning away from the old Chinese religions for the new foreign one. The spirits were angry because ancestor worship was being neglected. Believing that western bullets could not hurt them, and under the influence of drugs and Satan, the Boxers, mostly young men, set out to rid China of all foreigners.  The Empress threw her lot in with the Boxers and decreed that foreigners in China be killed.

Not only were missionaries killed, but many, many Chinese pastors lost their lives as well as more than 32,000 Christians. Most were Catholic, but Protestant missionaries paid the greatest price because their mission was to reach the masses in the interior of China. Many committed Chinese believers lost their lives because they refused to renounce their faith in Christ. Some were beheaded and burned like the missionaries. A deacon had his heart cut out. Others were cruelly beaten, beheaded or shot. Like the martyrs of Hebrews 11, they were all champions of the faith and valiant solders of Jesus Christ. This mass martyrdom of missionaries and Christians ushered in the most violent century of persecution of the Christian church.

Unbelievable acts of persecution, imprisonment and murder continues today all over the world. Some of it takes place in China as we know. However, the old adage states a fact: The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. In 1900 there were approximately 80,000 baptized Protestants, or only 1 out of every 2,000 Chinese. Today, it is estimated that there are anywhere from 50 to 80 million Protestant believers or 1 out of every 36! Only eleven years after the horrible mass murders, the number of baptized believers had soared to 207,000 and by 1934 it reached 500,000. The Communist’s attempt to use the Red Guards, also young people, to wipe out Christianity in the 1960’s, only fanned the flame to white hot heat. Let us be encouraged that Jesus’ words to Peter in Matthew 16:18 are literally being fulfilled before our eyes. He said, "...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it."

What is happening in China today are like news pages in the Book of Acts. Never before has there been such an explosion of growth. Eighteen seminaries are feverishly trying to prepare young people for ministry. Amity Press, the official press of the China Christian Council recently printed the 20 millionth Bible! More than 13,000 registered churches exist in the country and upwards of 50,000 house churches hold forth the Word of Life. These reports are widely circulated both inside and outside China. God is doing a new thing in this great land with one fourth of the world’s population.

This is a great day for rejoicing even though we remember, with sadness and horror, the anguish of hundreds of missionaries who died for the cause of Jesus Christ. Their deaths have borne fruit a hundredfold. The church marches on! Praise God, the church marches on, and though Satan throws all his legions of hell against her, there is no way to obliterate her. Jesus Christ is Victor. Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.

LUIS PALAU PREACHES IN CHINA

From Church Around the World comes the following condensed report. In May, Luis Palau preached an evangelistic messages in three churches in Shanghai, the second largest city in China with 14 million residents. At the beginning of the services, it was reported that an announcement was made that only holders of foreign passports were permitted to attend. An overflow crowd of 2,600 people listened as he used the book of Acts to speak on persecution, hatred, murder, religious hypocrisy and the radical change through a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ. He also addressed a congregation of foreign business people and students during his time there. His intensive itinerary included speaking engagements at East China Theological Seminary and Fudan University as well as discussions with the Religious Affairs Bureau. The deputy Director of the Shanghai Religious Affairs Committee stated to Palau, "You like big stadiums and big crowds, don’t you?" Palau answered, "Yes, I do, and that reminds me of my dream to come to Shanghai. I’ll be praying that one day I’ll be able to come to the 100,000 seat Shanghai Stadium." Later in churches he said, "There are too many people in Shanghai for a stadium. Now I’m thinking we should go to the park!" Enthusiastic applause followed each such statement.,

SPIRITUAL HUNGER IN CHINA

From the C&MA Prayer Line comes the following exciting report. Rev. Min, pastor from Taiwan preached for one hour at a countryside church in China on a recent visit. When he finished, the people asked if he had another one! When he replied, "Yes," they said, "Preach it!" Rev. Min did not sit down until he had preached seven sermons. Finally, they were filled. How different from American churches where people can only tolerate 20 minutes, and, pity the man of God who goes beyond 30 minutes!

KOWLOON TONG INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

An exciting report has been received from our son, Jim, in Hong Kong. They have had their second baptismal service this year with 13 more following the Lord in baptism. Also, the church conducts a Filipino service at which 27 people have found the Lord. He requests prayer for an Indian man from the UK who is attending and some university professors from China who make no profession of Christ, but are faithfully attending. We are anxious to visit Hong Kong in October and have the opportunity of preaching at both of these services.

GOOD WEB SITES TO VISIT

1. Intercessors for Christ

2. Silk Road

3. Kowloon Tong International Church

4. Ambassadors For Christ

5. The Christian and Missionary Alliance

These locations provide a wealth of information about China and ministries available to anyone willing to pray, and possibly even go overseas for short term ministry. If you are willing and able, there is a place for you to serve.

PAUL BARTEL MISSIONARY BIOGRAPHY UNDERWAY

Many of you have asked through the years about the biography of Paul H. Bartel, the extraordinary 96 year old missionary to China. Recently, I spent three days with him as he recounted much of his life’s story. He is an amazing man who accomplished amazing things for God because he was obedient. The book is underway, and your prayers are solicited as I attempt to bring this great missionary statesman’s life to the public. If there is anyone who had contact with him, please share any anecdotes you recall. Send them to me at my e-mail address: Kahu@juno.com

PASS IT ON