Sharing Masks, Sharing the Gospel: Gospel Strategies for the Post-Pandemic Era

Editor’s note: This article was originally published, in its entirety, in the September 2020 issue of the Church China magazine, not long after COVID-19 began to wreak havoc across Wuhan and then the world. As the global church has wrestled with how it ought to respond to the pandemic, the Chinese church has often seen it as an opportunity to share their faith with a scared and hurting world. This excerpt from the Church China article explains how Chinese believers boldly moved forward to share their faith in a time of special difficulty and distress

Even as we look back to the start of the pandemic in early 2020, the Omicron variant is currently spreading across the world. China and other “zero COVID” countries, which have managed to avoid widespread contagion within their own borders to this point, are especially threatened by the highly contagious variant.

This selection has been lightly edited for clarity and length.


Earlier this year [i.e. 2020], the pandemic came as a shock. After Wuhan was completely locked down and the pandemic broke out across the world, human history entered a new era. Some political and economic scholars are even dividing history into pre- and post-COVID. The pandemic is having a far-reaching impact on the church today, reminding us of the eschatological  judgment prophesied in the Bible, and urgently calling us to see that the day of the Lord is near. In the meantime, in 2017, Chinese house churches suffered a major situational depression; a number of churches experienced anger, frustration, and anxiety. Though many faithful servants have remained unfailingly loving in Christ and are holding fast to the faith, believers have still been thrown off their guard. 

Confronted with these very real challenges and the more than one billion unsaved people in China, do we really have no fear or anxiety? Can we see that God still has a path of revival for the church in China?

>
“Some political and economic scholars are even dividing history into pre- and post-COVID. The pandemic is having a far-reaching impact on the church today.”

In the Center of the Outbreak

Our church was in the center of the initial outbreak. We always knew the situation would come to no good end – but we only realized the true severity of the situation when the city was shut down. However, despite the danger of the pandemic, brothers and sisters began to go out, one after another, to preach the gospel. Many other churches also joined in support. Despite the devastation, we were safe and secure, and even felt a freedom we had never felt before. Since the church started emphasizing one-on-one evangelism a decade ago, about 10 million people in this city have heard the good news or received our tracts. Many responded with politeness, but many more felt antipathy against us and despised the gospel we preached as a “foreign religion.” 

Once the city was completely shut down, people who used to make money and be merry but refused to hear the gospel were overwhelmed by the burden of sin and the fear of the pandemic. Frightened, they refused to go out. In the past, we could only preach the gospel on weekends or during our commute to work; but after the pandemic began, people spent more than 70 days away from work. Brothers and sisters in our church used this time to devote themselves to preaching the gospel. 

At a time when local citizens were especially short of pandemic prevention supplies, we were able to distribute masks and evangelize at the same time. God provided us with three pandemic prevention permitted vehicles and, through the support of church members, sufficient supplies to share. At a time masks were almost unavailable, brothers and sisters risked their lives to go out nearly every day, and were able to distribute nearly half a million masks in both the city and in countryside villages. Later, a [Communist] Party county secretary met brothers from our church and said, “You were truly our benefactors. Although the surrounding villages all have infections, our village does not, thanks to the masks you delivered.” For the first time in ten years of preaching the gospel, we saw a change in the attitude of citizens toward our evangelistic efforts.

>
“At a time when local citizens were especially short of pandemic prevention supplies, we were able to distribute masks and evangelize at the same time…For the first time in ten years of preaching the gospel, we saw a change in the attitude of citizens toward our evangelistic efforts.

Everyone Shares the Gospel

The plague is deadly. Everyone says, “It is man’s glory to die for the gospel.” But does everyone really see it that way? In our evangelistic team, some people were indeed fearful (according to the trend around us) while others were really not afraid at all, taking even their children and families along with them to preach the gospel. (Although the church never suggested they should take children.) We saw the glory of God’s victory, and his mercy and protection, as so many people went out during the pandemic, and none of them were infected. Even some hospital experts and professors, with the best protective gear, were still infected. Only one sister from our church was infected, and that was while she was staying home. Even so, God gave her an opportunity to share the gospel in the hospital where she was treated.

After local neighborhoods had been locked down for about 50 days, brothers and sisters took the initiative to set up evangelistic “mask groups” on social media. As they distributed protective equipment, they were able to draw people into these groups. Although the groups started with only a few dozen people, some grew to as large as 300 or 400. Through these social media groups, about 2,000 people have come to participate in online Bible reading, prayer, and small group meetings.

>
“Ten years ago we began a movement with the vision that “everyone shares the gospel.” Even in the face of the pandemic, this vision has not ceased; in the future, this vision will not stop. It is the normal state of our church.

In addition to these “loving heart support groups” that we established at the beginning of the pandemic, many from other cities all over the country asked brothers and sisters to serve in their cities. During [the initial phase of] the pandemic, we were very busy, yet exceedingly joyful; we worked hard, but it was very meaningful. Later in the course of the pandemic, other churches wanted to do the same thing as we had done. However, they were not able to, because so few people volunteered. Our church, on the other hand, had more than a hundred people involved in evangelism and handing out masks.

When going out to do evangelism, one is bound to face various obstacles. How can one overcome them? The whole church must be a church on mission, and everyone must do evangelism. Ten years ago we began a movement with the vision that “everyone shares the gospel.” Even in the face of the pandemic, this vision has not ceased; in the future, this vision will not stop. It is the normal state of our church.


FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Pray for Christians in China to stand out as bearers of hope and healing in the midst of the Omicron COVID wave.

Share This Story

Further Reading

engin-akyurt-FQzGa9FLgE0-unsplash
When Will the Soldiers Return?
Read More
wei-zhao-H3x7NCFI2Yo-unsplash
Xiamen: Beautiful, Coastal... and Expensive
Read More
robert-bye-XiQvWmj37MM-unsplash
Guangzhou: Raising Gospel Soldiers
Read More

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

Videos

ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Shenyang

About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Videos

Stories from Qingdao

About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

Videos

Stories from Xiamen

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Videos

Stories from Chongqing

About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

Videos

Stories from Nanjing

About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Changchun

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

Videos

Stories from Guangzhou

About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

Videos

Stories from Kunming

About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

Videos

Stories from Shenzhen

About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

Videos

Stories from Chengdu

About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

Videos

Stories from Beijing

About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

Videos

Stories from Shanghai

give

A short message about partnering with us.