Quote:
Originally Posted by Newman
Wow. Sounds great but I have some sincere questions...
What do you mean by this? Accepted Christ? Baptized in Jesus name? Speaking in tongues? Connected with a church in their area?
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They have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, whom they did not know of at all. They are praying to a God they did not know existed as a living God who can answer prayer, and reading the Word of God, which was just another book prior to their conversion. They have not yet been baptized or received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I expect that I will have the privilege of baptizing them on my next trip to China, which will likely be in August. We have our own weekly house church meetings at a condo owned by my Chinese ministry partner, and located near the universities we partner with. Some have occasionally attended an International Church with my ministry partner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newman
How do we know the conversion is sincere and not just done for the money?
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First of all, they received the bursary without any strings attached, except that they meet the qualifications we have established for determining that they are impoverished students in need of financial assistance. We work through the registry office at the university to determine this. The average income for the families these students are selected from is $60.00 a month. It cost $1500-$2000 a year for them to attend university.
Secondly, our Friendship Evangelism approach is to invite these students to a student fellowship where they will have opportunity to practice their English, interact with Westerners over meals that they prepare together, and learn life skills that will improve their efficiency on several levels. In the process of attending the fellowship these students are introduced to Jesus Christ and the Word of God. We are presently using the Chinese Alpha Program as a tool for introducing the Christian faith to these students who have no knowledge whatsoever of Christ or the Bible.
Thirdly, our goal is to disciple these university students in the Christian faith, and develop them as future house fellowship leaders. When these students graduate they will move to different areas of China. My vision is of a network of house fellowships throughout China, with these graduates taking the leadership.
Finally, the potential of this ministry is truly amazing. The doors God has opened to us in both the academic and business sector has to be a God ordained thing. I could never have brought it about myself. God has provided a meeting place free, access to thousands of students (Jinan University alone has 30,000 students) and key connections with well placed businessmen.
Thank you Lord!
Please pray for the outreach of New Direction China Ministries!
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