Editor’s note: We are premiering this week the first episode of our latest podcast season. This season we tell the stories of Chinese believers doing mercy ministry in cities across China, although they themselves are marginalized. We’ll examine the stories of believers working with orphans, left-behind children, the sick, the poor, and the outcast.
Here, we share part one of an interview with a Chinese pastor who is trying to live out mercy in his city. David, a house church pastor, says mercy matters because that is what Jesus did — and as Christians, we walk in his footsteps. This is part 1 of his take on why mercy matters to the Chinese church. You can find out more at https://housechurchinchinapodcast.com, or listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Living Out the Life of Christ
When we talk about mercy ministry in our church, what comes to mind is what Jesus himself did. In the gospel of Matthew, at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry, he did three things: he taught; he preached the gospel; and he healed. These things weren’t sequential: he did all of them simultaneously, as distinct but equally important parts of his ministry. Each was crucial to Jesus.
Often, we treat mercy ministry as mere groundwork for evangelism, as if sharing the gospel is the ultimate goal. But when we operate with that mindset, mercy ministry becomes secondary – it’s not unimportant, but it feels less important if it doesn’t seem directly connected to saving souls.
When we live out mercy in this world, we’re living out the life of Jesus Christ, and that in itself is important.
I think this is a mistake. When we live out mercy in this world, we’re living out the life of Jesus Christ, and that in itself is important. It doesn’t necessarily have to lead to a specific outcome. Jesus himself only led a small group of people – his disciples – to believe. But through the gospels, his life has impacted generations.
I believe three things are equally important: constantly teaching truth, preaching the gospel, and showing mercy. When all three are happening and when Christians prioritize them, then the church, individual Christians, and the Christian community are all healthy.
In turn, this blesses the city, and the gospel is spread naturally. Outsiders don’t just see a group constantly preaching or teaching: they see a life that’s enviable, a life worth living.
Christ’s Mercy Shining Bright
In our networks, we work with a number of mercy ministries. I want more people to know that Christians can do more than get along with those around them and share the gospel with friends and family. Christians can do more than witness in their workplaces. Christians can also work together to help certain groups, especially marginalized groups. When we do this, we glorify God.
Three things are equally important: constantly teaching truth, preaching the gospel, and showing mercy… In turn, this blesses the city, and the gospel is spread naturally.
This is what Jesus did. Every time Jesus encountered the blind or the lame, his disciples tried to send them away, especially if they were children. But Jesus always brought these people to the center. He healed them, restored their dignity, and included them in worship. I think this is where his mercy shines brightest, the most beautiful and radiant aspect of his life.
We are still improving, but as our local churches continually pray for these organizations, learn about them, and get involved, more people will realize that these things can be done. We are turning impossibilities into possibilities, bringing close what seems distant.
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Engaging in Mercy
We use online workshops to get pastors thinking about [these kinds of things]. This way, some of the members of the congregation and co-workers in the church can learn about ministries that are going on, so they can pray for them and even visit them. This gives people more chances to get engaged.
Every time Jesus encountered the blind or the lame, his disciples tried to send them away, especially if they were children. But Jesus always brought these people to the center.
I also encourage people to find out about these ministries because, once the ministries are known, people pray for them, people donate to them, and people get involved in their work. Some people even become pastors or leaders for these organizations, and are involved in shepherding them.
For instance, one ministry primarily serves prostitutes. When the person who previously led the organization was preparing to leave, other pastors and sisters from our network stepped in and got involved. So, now this ministry has new leadership and pastoral care. My main role is to be like a middleman, helping to connect people.
David is a pseudonym for a house church pastor in eastern China.
