Editor’s note: This month, we are praying for the city of Lanzhou in northwestern China. Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, is well-known for its large Muslim population. Gansu Province is usually regarded as the birthplace of Islam in China, and with a history of more than 1,300 years.  Most Muslims in Lanzhou belong to the Hui ethnic group. Today, several Lanzhou house pastors shared how they believe their Han Chinese churches have failed to love and reach out to their Muslim neighbors, and how this has hindered the Spirit’s work in their city.

Unwilling to Love Your Neighbor

China Partnership: Lanzhou has a very distinctive Muslim heritage. How does this heritage make the city unique and affect the way Christians interact with the city?

Li Jun: From a spiritual perspective, I think the hatred between Han and [Muslim] people is a curse of sin. This is also why the gospel is difficult to spread here. Han churches are actually unwilling to go out. Because of the barrier of Muslim tradition, outward expansion of the gospel has been greatly hindered. This hindrance weakens the vitality of the church.

Acts says, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Our relationship with Hui people is like the relationship between Jews and Samaritans. You find that, when you are unwilling to love your neighbor, it affects the development of the local church. It will become a big obstacle to the church moving forward. The church is constantly sinning against God, so it is difficult for the Holy Spirit to work richly in the church.

Our relationship with Hui people is like the relationship between Jews and Samaritans. You find that, when you are unwilling to love your neighbor, it affects the development of the local church.

Cities in the east do not have this kind of barrier to evangelism. They preach the gospel to “Judea,” to their own culture – but here it is obvious that you are unwilling to preach the gospel to people around you. Christians are unwilling to talk to [Muslims], and don’t know how. It hinders the work of the Holy Spirit in the church.

On the contrary, the only ones who are able to reach out to Hui people are pastors who come from outside. From my perspective, the barrier between Muslim faith and Han people has led to sin that is hidden in the church.

Jiang Mingyun: I didn’t realize the spiritual impact. I have been in Lanzhou many years, and the city where I was born and raised is very close to here. Maybe it’s because I’ve been living here that I haven’t felt the spiritual difference between Muslims and Han people. Of course, I haven’t thought about it from a spiritual perspective before.

We have always lived in the same city, and their food is completely accepted by Han people. We live together, but spiritually, we can’t touch each other. When I became a pastor, I don’t think we ever thought about preaching the gospel to Muslims. When it was mentioned, it seemed there was a barrier in our hearts. On one hand, it feels as though there are no barriers at all – but at the exact time, there is a sort of complete barrier.

It’s like Hui people are cut off from Han people in their faith and way of life, even though we all go to Hui beef noodle restaurants. (Beef noodles are the main breakfast in Lanzhou, and all Lanzhou people are very familiar with these noodles. Everyone eats them!) But other than that, it seems difficult to have deeper contact with Hui. The relationship is very superficial.

In the past two years, I have often come into contact with individual Muslims, and they are very friendly. Every time they are friendly, I want to share the gospel with them. A few examples: a few years ago, I was looking for a parking spot in an alley. A Muslim man came out of an abandoned restaurant and asked me to park my car in his place. He was very enthusiastic. Then a few months ago, when I was hanging out by the Yellow River with my family, there was a Muslim family next to us with many children. While barbecuing, they reached out and gave us some of their food.

I feel they are very willing to reach out to a stranger like me, a Han Chinese. This is quite different from what I used to think. These experiences have made me wonder if I should share the gospel with Muslims around me. But I don’t know how.

[Muslims} are willing to reach out to a stranger like me, a Han Chinese. This is quite different from what I used to think. These experiences have made me wonder if I should share the gospel with Muslims around me. But I don’t know how.

When we talk about missions, we picture going to a distant Muslim community. But when it comes to sharing the gospel with Muslims around us, we lack the same feeling of urgency. Like Li Jun said, perhaps it’s a curse and numbness caused by sin. Maybe this is something the church should reflect on.

Forced to Assimilate to Han Churches

Tan Changrui: Christians are often compared to Muslims. Because Muslims’ piety is very visible – they pray five times a day – many people perceive that Christians are not as devout as Muslims. Unlike Hui people, many Christians are reluctant to openly acknowledge their faith.

Second, the Muslim community has been in Lanzhou a long time, so the irreligious here are accepting of those who do have faith. They believe it is good to have faith, and there is no problem living together: “You have your position, your social identity; we accept that.” But non-Christians and atheists in Lanzhou have a fixed attitude towards faith. “It’s great you have faith, but I will never believe it. It’s your life, your culture, your identity – it’s difficult for me to integrate.” This creates difficulties when trying to share the gospel with Lanzhou people from other ethnic groups.

Third, when a Muslim converts, they must integrate into Han Chinese churches, because there are no Muslim churches. They are forced to assimilate into Han circles, leading to a break with their entire family. We might save one Muslim, but now their entire family resents Christianity. This is the most common outcome we’ve witnessed.

Is this truly how the gospel should be renewed? What is the path for the gospel to bring about change and renewal within an ethnic group? This presents a significant challenge to Lanzhou believers. What exactly is the gospel we preach? How can it transcend ethnic and cultural barriers?

Hidden Spiritual Sin

CP: Is there a Muslim part of town, similar to how Xi’an has a Muslim Quarter?

Li Jun: Yes. Last week I led a group to pray there. A co-worker who has lived in Lanzhou more than 50 years came with us. He had never walked into that area! It’s a dark area for Han people.

This is a hidden spiritual sin of the church. We don’t love that group of people. This has become a blind spot in our love.

The church is reluctant to interact with Muslims. But in reality, if you want to enter that community, there are opportunities. This is a hidden spiritual sin of the church. We don’t love that group of people. This has become a blind spot in our love.

Li Jun, Jiang Mingyun, and Tan Changrui are house church pastors in Lanzhou. All names are pseudonyms.

Pray that Han Chinese churches in Lanzhou will authentically reach out to their Muslim neighbors with Christ’s love.