Light Up the Fire in Your Heart – How to Support the House Church in a Time of Persecution

boy-2724843_1920.jpg

Ryan moved to the United States from Guangzhou, China at the age of twelve.  Ryan received his Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is currently serving as an assistant pastor at New City Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, OH, his US hometown. Prior to moving to Boston for seminary, Ryan lived in Washington D.C. for seven years, first as a student at Georgetown University and later working at a law firm.  

When we think of persecution, we often and rightly think of prison sentences and church closures. The speed and intensity with which the Chinese government have carried out their arrests and raids in recent months invoke memories of widespread persecution during the Cultural Revolution, a period in which not only Christians, but people in all levels of society were arrested and beaten. The alarming reality about this round of persecution is that it is targeted specifically toward religious communities: Christians in house churches, Muslims in the west, and some pockets of Buddhism. Many prominent house churches, like the one in Beijing reported on by the Washington Post, have been raided by police and security forces during Sunday worship services. Pastors, evangelists, and even regular members have been taken away, books confiscated, Bibles burned, and crosses destroyed. This round of open persecution appears to be daring other nations to hold China accountable to its own religious freedom laws.  But with the current economic and political strength of China, there seems to be little other nations can do to put pressure on the Chinese leaders.

In addition to this high level, national persecution, which traditionally is targeted toward pastors and church leaders, regular believers in China are also facing a more subtle and widespread threat. The author of Hebrews, encouraging a group of believers to stand firm in the face of persecution, wrote, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Hebrews 12:3-4). This implies that even though they have not resisted to the point of shedding blood, there was still a struggle making them grow weary and fainthearted. The same may be true for regular Chinese believers as well. They may have yet to face prison sentences, but there is a threat that is perhaps even more dangerous than jail time. As one Chinese pastor said at a recent conference in Taiwan, “The biggest threat against Chinese churches right now is worldliness.”

What happens when your faith may not land you in jail, but costs your child a spot at school? What if attending a house church gets your fired? What if your lease is terminated because you hold a Bible study at your apartment? These indirect persecutions reflect the reach of the government’s pressure and its determination to bring house churches under the Party’s control. They may not bring you any physical harm, but they threaten your place in a society where everyone else is pursuing bigger apartments, higher pay, and more education. If you are a new believer, how easy it is to just give up and go back to the old way of life. If you are a mature believer, how discouraging it is when your mission field – your school, your office, your neighborhood – no longer wants you there. Then your parents and aunts and uncles advise you to recant just so you can regain your honorable place in society.

Perhaps it is because of indirect persecutions such as these that the author of Hebrews wrote to encourage his audience to not “neglect such a great salvation” even though their struggle has yet to require them to shed any blood. These are the sacrifices that our brothers and sisters in China are making for their faith. How then can we support them? American support now for Chinese house churches can’t be the typical short-term mission trip, theological training, or English classes. So here are three practical suggestions:


Never miss a story

Sign up to receive our weekly email with our original articles.
  1. Pray. Pray for the house churches in China.  We can pray for the leaders of the Chinese government to govern justly and righteously, for God will hold them accountable for their actions. We can pray that the churches in China will be refined and strengthened through this trial. We can pray that our sisters and brothers in China will have strength and courage to stand firm in their faith. We can pray that believers in China will count the cost and make adequate preparation to face this battle. Most importantly, we should pray that Christ will be lifted up and glorified as house churches in China walk the way of the cross.

  2. Remember unity. We must remember our unity with our brothers and sisters in China. “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:26). We are one body with the house churches in China. Their suffering should jolt us out of our complacency and comfort in America. Take some time to learn about what is happening in China. Write letters to encourage our Chinese brothers and sisters that they are not alone; remind them of the words in Hebrews and tell them you are praying for them.  

  3. Learn. We learn from our brothers and sisters in China. Before he was to be burned for being a heretic, the Reformer Hugh Latimer said to his friend, “Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.” The public nature of how our Chinese brothers and sisters are suffering is lighting such a candle in the world that shall never be put out. Let their faith and perseverance light up the fire in your heart.

In a time when every American election causes many to fear about Christians’ right to exist, every Supreme Court confirmation battle seems to be a fight over the soul of our nation, and every legal set-back seems to be a slippery-slope toward full-blown persecution, perhaps there is no better time for believers in America to humble ourselves and learn from our brothers and sisters in China.  

We have much to learn from their resilience and humility to walk the way of the cross, “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41) because they trust that their suffering only brings them closer to the cross of our Savior. We have much to learn from their devotion to “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Despite raids by police, house churches continue to meet and preach and pray on every Sunday. Their devotion to these spiritual disciplines is preparing their bodies and souls for whatever is to come. If we were placed in their situation, would our spiritual disciplines give us the resilience to endure this kind of suffering? 

Lastly, we have much to learn from their faith in the unseen. The saints of the past all “died in faith, not having received the things promised… though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised.” (Hebrews 11:13, 39). In their trials, our Chinese brothers and sisters are showing us what is most important to them. They are seeking a homeland, they desire a better country, a heavenly one, they look forward to the city with a foundation designed and built by God. All the recent prosperity and wealth of China cannot capture their hearts, “of whom the world was not worthy.” We may not face such a national persecution, but we may be even more enslaved by worldliness. So then, as Hebrews says, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Share This Story

Further Reading

winter-sun-Op0kemnmDYA-unsplash
The J-Curve: Suffering Because Of Sin
Read More
manoj-kumar-kasirajan-fAZEw6xPhz8-unsplash
Xi'an: Rich Cultural Heritage
Read More
hieu-do-quang-3A5qSh1KOM8-unsplash
The J-Curve: Suffering with Jesus
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.