Why the Church in Asia is Exploding

For a believer in Asia, church means the world to them. Majority of the new converts are disowned by their family and often they come to live with the pastor until they’re reestablished. Often pastor’s home is where the abused women or their children run to. A church is a place of refuge and the pastor is the symbol of trust and security because he’s often been to prison for his faith in Christ.

While Christianity is in decline in Europe and North America, masses of people in Asia are turning to Christ. Twenty thousand people are accepting Christ in India every day. In China, twenty five thousand people are following Christ every day. What is the secret of this explosive church growth? Today I want to discuss seven characteristics that are making the church in Asia explode with new converts.

First, the emphasis is on the message not the building. They would like one but majority of the church in Asia do not own a church building. Most of the believers meet in homes, parks, riverside or even in caves. Having church in public places makes it visible to non-believers and they too are drawn to Christ. Not having hefty church mortgage frees up resources to care for the people in the local community.

Second, worship is the main part of the service. It is the loudest part of the service when everyone vocalizes their gratitude. Coming out of the idol worshipping culture, it is easy for them to direct their love, devotion and commitment to a God who has saved them from utter destruction. When they go to church, they are energized to worship God and ready to express their devotion to their Savior, Healer and Deliverer.

Third reason why the Asian church is exploding is emphasis on prayer. Most people have come to the Lord because someone prayed over their sickness and they’re healed. They understand that prayer works. They don’t have access to medical doctors, lawyer, insurance or a financial professional. Christians pray everywhere about everything!

Fourth, signs, wonders and miracles are the life blood of the church in Asia. Over eighty percent of the new believers come to church because they’ve experienced a miracle themselves or someone they know. Interestingly, Christians don’t make a big deal about the miraculous. It is a great tool but it is not sensationalized. Miracles are an everyday part of their lives.

Another characteristic of the Asian church their witness. Believer often do not know a lot of theology but they are bold about telling others what Christ did for them. Often sharing their faith with non-believers causes them to be kicked out of their own homes and school, beaten, persecuted and even imprisoned.

The sixth reason for Asia’s church growth is persecution. Just like in the Book of Acts believers scatter because of persecution. Wherever they go, they take their faith with them and start a new work. Christians are encouraged to turn the other chick instead of seeking political justice. Just like Saul, this causes their persecutors to be convicted. Often the persecutor becomes the promoter of the Gospel.

Last but the not least, the church in Asia is a giving church. There is not much teaching or emphasis on giving but they give much more than ten percent to the work of the Gospel. Often it is in the form of produce, livestock or real estate. They are hospitable, fellowship together over meals and other social events.

Please pray for the revival to continue in Asia. Our brother and sisters need you and your prayers. Will you pray for the church in Asia today? I know you will.

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 KJV).

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Releasing Our Children for Missions

We all celebrate and brag about our children being a medical doctor, teacher, engineer, entrepreneur or an artist. It is the right thing to do. When a young person chooses his/her career on a positive path, we all should be happy and proud of them. What we don’t hear much of these days are young people encouraged to serve God on the mission field abroad or here at home. This is hurting our culture and our influence on the world is declining.

This week I’m extremely proud of my nieces Maria, Christina and their friend Jordan. All in their early twenties, these ladies left the comfort of their homes in Houston to make a trip to Nepal. They’re all exceptional college students but they have a deeper value that sent them to a foreign land to share Christ with others.

As Christian parents we encourage our children to choose a career path that is going to be lucrative financially. There is nothing wrong in that. But if we value our faith and eternal life, we should also encourage our young people to serve God. Young people have the strength, courage and a sense of adventure to go where we may not be able to go right now. When we emphasis the heroism in serving God, we’re impacting eternity through our young generation.

For the next two weeks Maria and her team will touch thousands of lives in Hindu schools, orphanages, speaking in churches, performing skits and singing. They’ll witness to villagers as they trek through the breathtaking Himalayan Mountains. They are going to impact lives for eternity and harvest souls for our Lord.

What should be our response when our children want to serve God? Instead of discouraging them we should empower them. We need to teach our young people that serving God is the greatest vocation in life. When we serve God, we work for the King. The salaries may not be in six figures but the perks and pensions are from out of this world – literally! We must encourage this generation of young people to have a heart for God. It will do us all good to teach our children to have compassionate heart and eternal values.

This is what my friends Dave and Tomme did. Twenty two years ago Dave spent a few weeks on the mission field with me. Ever since he returned he’s been praying, talking and supporting world missions. On my last mission trip, not only Dave was able to return but he brought his 15 year-old son Ben with him. Ben was ahhmazing! Every time I gave him an opportunity he ceased the moment! Young and adults heard their first Bible story from Ben. On the last night of their stay in Nepal was the highlight. Ben showed off his dance moves to the locals and won their hearts forever. Ben will never be the same again neither will be the people he touched!

I know many of my friends are engaging their children in missions. During summer they send their children on mission trips. They need our prayers and support. They need to know we believe in what they’re doing. They need our encouragement.

In the month of July, I’m going back to Asia to minister in China’s persecuted churches. I’d love to have you in my team. If you’ve never been exposed to a short term missions trip, this is your golden opportunity. Only ten to twelve days of your investment can change the rest of your life. We will be training pastors and leaders, ministering to our persecuted brothers and sisters, love on orphan kids and supply thousands of Bibles to China’s underground churches. Are you available? If not, why don’t you send your young people with us? Together, we can change the world!

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)

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Equality, Injustice and Our Response

For more than 3,000 years people in our world are fighting for quality and rebelling against injustice. When the Hebrew children rose up against Pharos he could hardly believe that it could be his downfall. But history repeats itself. In spite of dictators and corrupt governments it is proven that the power of the people is stronger than the people in power.

I just returned from a mission trip to India and Nepal. I always come back fired up from these trips. Nowhere can you find social injustice worse than in this region. People live in utter poverty; most of them live under a dollar a day. Children, especially girls do not have an opportunity to set foot in a school. Mothers do not have clean drinking water for their families. Young, able-bodied and smart young people are jobless because no one would hire them because they’re Christ followers. Pastors, Christian leaders and churches are often persecuted, killed and burned by the society.

In light of our Christian faith what should be our response to this grave inequality and injustice? I believe our responsibility should be same as our Master who gave us everything and told us the story of the Good Samaritan. We must get off our own comfort zone, care and share. We’re to be the salt and light to our generation and promote equality and justice. Christianity is not a passive, meek and weak faith to be trampled under but the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. It’s a force to reckon with that has toppled strongholds and revolutionized nations. Realize it or not, you too are a part of the revolution when you became a member of God’s global family. Our brothers and sisters need your help – NOW!

Before you write me off as a fanatic, let me share why this is the best time for you to get involved in bringing hope, equality and justice to our brothers and sisters.

Rebecca (21) is one of our co-workers. Her parents are denied citizenship because they’re Christians. Her family cannot get proper jobs. Her parents wake up at 3 o’ clock every morning to make snacks for the local tea shops that provide a meager earning. Rebecca’s parents cannot send her to school so we have been sponsoring her college education. She is studying to be a media journalist. Just recently, she topped her whole collage of 1,500 students. She’s well on her way to finish college this year with highest honors. Rebecca is a prime example of what can happen if we pause long enough to care, share and invest in our young people who will change our world.

One reason people have stayed disengaged in the past is due to lack of accountability. But with the invention of modern technology and cell phone in almost every hand, corruption and mishandling of resources are becoming harder to hide. Times are changing for the better and for once we have genuine advantage to make an eternal difference.

My challenge to us today is to take action. If we truly believe and obey the Great Commission our Lord left us, we must go from virtual to actual. Opportunities are endless right now to sweep a whole generation into the Kingdom but it all depends on our response. Will you open your hearts, minds and resources to a cause burning deep in our Master’s heart? I know you will because that’s how we will fulfill the enormous task of world evangelization. Join us. Let us make a difference in many others like Rebecca!

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD--and he will repay you” (Proverbs 19:17 NLT)!

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