China Partnership: What are some common challenges, fears, and struggles that you and your church encounter as you minister to people in your city?
“More Resistant to Faith”
Elder Huang Yugao: In the northeast, “system jobs” are highly prized – doing things like working in government or state-owned enterprise. Whether you’re a teacher or a civil servant, you have strong pressure not to be open about your faith. If you come to believe in Christ, you may face strong resistance, because it could affect your job. This is especially true for students: their counselors and advisors warn them not to get involved with religion. Fear of losing a secure job becomes a major barrier to embracing the faith.
Inside the church, most of our families are first-generation believers, so we see a lot of marital problems and parenting challenges. We strongly promote Christian education, but a lot of people still send their children to public schools. Even parents who do enroll their children in Christian schools often still don’t have a deep understanding of biblical education, so there are many issues regarding marriage and child-rearing.
In the past, [students] were very curious and open toward faith. I myself came to Christ at a campus evangelistic event as a student. But students now are usually not very interested in spiritual things. They’re more worried about grades, jobs, joining the Party, and passing the civil-service exams.
Many brothers in the church need to grow more. Often it seems like sisters are more eager to learn, while brothers lag behind. Then we see a mismatch in spiritual maturity between husbands and wives. That’s a main issue in these newer Christian families.
Our autism ministry is evangelistic in nature. In China, the proportion of children with autism is increasing, and so the field has grown rapidly in the last five or six years. Through our work, we want to care for children and their parents, and show them the love of Christ.
Another thing we did was opening a small café near a university as a way to reach students.
But, it’s clear that, compared to five or ten years ago, university students now are much more resistant to the gospel. In the past, they were very curious and open toward faith. I myself came to Christ at a campus evangelistic event as a student. But students now are usually not very interested in spiritual things. They’re more worried about grades, jobs, joining the Party, and passing the civil-service exams. This area has a really strong emphasis on “finding a good job,” and this shapes the whole education system. The situation is pretty sad, and deeply problematic, all the way from primary school to university. All of this makes doing student ministry and shepherding very challenging.
Pressure and Fear
Pastor Wu Li: People’s biggest fear is about making a living. It’s very hard to find work nowadays. Many university students really want to stay in Changchun, but because they can’t find a job, they are forced to leave. In the church, many brothers and sisters are unemployed or taking big pay cuts. Others have to work many more hours to earn the same salary as before. That situation is quite common, both inside and outside the church.
In campus ministry, we face big challenges. Students in general are not as interested in faith as before. They are guarded and wary, while in the past they were curious and open. As the environment is tightening and schools impose stricter control, students feel pressure and fear. That weakens their interest and openness toward the gospel.
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They are guarded and wary, while in the past they were curious and open. As the environment is tightening and schools impose stricter control, students feel pressure and fear. That weakens their interest and openness toward the gospel.
Never miss a story
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Inside the church, we face a lot of pressure. From time to time, students are questioned or investigated. When that happens, it raises questions about whether our gatherings are safe. This then creates tension in our team about how we should approach campus ministry. Some people prioritize safety – others focus on fruit, and how effective the work is. It’s easy to have disagreements, and we need a lot of wisdom and unity in making decisions.
Still, we are very thankful. Even with all these difficulties, we still clearly see God at work on campus. It’s evident that many students are growing in the faith.
Many brothers and sisters are very zealous in evangelism, even though universities clearly forbid it, and call this “illegal evangelism.” Despite this, a portion of brothers and sisters are still active and passionate in sharing the gospel.
Another challenge is that some students want to stay in Changchun, but can’t find work. But a good thing is that, as our adult congregation has grown, more working families are willing to turn around and serve campus ministry. Before, it was always older students discipling younger ones. Now we have mature adults who are willing to commit to campus ministry and serve the students.
Campus students in particular really move me. On Saturdays or whenever they have time, they go in twos or threes to other campuses or to appropriate places on their own campus, and use what they’ve learned to share the gospel.
Zealous in Evangelism
Pastor Du Longkai:
Many brothers and sisters are zealous in evangelism. Campus students in particular really move me. On Saturdays or whenever they have time, they go in twos or threes to other campuses or to appropriate places on their own campus, and use what they’ve learned to share the gospel. They encourage me a lot.
Our church uses Evangelism Explosion materials, and we’ve seen God bless that. We have led some to Christ through this. But many people are still resistant to the gospel. Unless they are in crisis or have believing family members, it’s hard to reach them. To many strangers, the gospel still feels threatening or intrusive.
Huang Yuguo, Wu Li, and Du Longkai are pseudonyms for house church pastors and elders in Changchun.
Pray for university students in Changchun to have soft hearts toward the gospel. Pray for believing students to be bold and courageous!
