One Message at a Time: Gospel Strategies for the Post-Pandemic Era

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the September 2020 issue of the Church China magazine, just a few months 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. 

Brother Luo encourages the Chinese church to boldly move forward and share the gospel, despite difficulties. Although Western sources often focus on the restrictions faced by Chinese believers, Brother Luo focuses on the great freedom Chinese believers still have to share their faith on an individual basis. He believes that a church which remains intentional and steadfast in constantly sharing her faith need fear nothing, no matter what the future brings.

Parts one, two, and three of this lengthy article were published earlier. This final excerpt has been condensed and edited for brevity and clarity.


The Gospel Mission for All Ages

From 2010 to 2017, there were seven bountiful years of evangelism. In that time, the environment was more relaxed, and even street preaching did not present much of a problem. It is a great pity that, although many churches had a group of faithful servants, the vast majority of congregations did not “seize the day” and use it for evangelism.

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“We must carry the gospel on our shoulders, bringing it one message at a time, to one person at a time, so that more than a billion people can hear it. The church must go out, evangelize, and persevere. Regardless of the outcome, we must preach the gospel.

— Brother Luo

These days, evangelism is limited in many places and in many walks of life. Because of this, we must carry the gospel on our shoulders, bringing it one message at a time, to one person at a time, so that more than a billion people can hear it. The church must go out, evangelize, and persevere. Regardless of the outcome, we must preach the gospel. Paul wrote, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” We ought not suffer this curse. Instead, let us receive a blessing. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 

We can accomplish nothing in this age if we are afraid and timid. “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” The church is to seek evangelistic breakthroughs and live out the life of Christ in all circumstances. At the same time, the church is to work as one whole “because of [our] partnership in the gospel.”

If a church evangelizes by “plodding away at a big job, bit by bit,” will she not be revived? Encourage brothers and sisters to start by handing out one gospel tract per week. As they continue in this, they will gain new strength, and eventually their preaching methods will become both more creative and more fruitful. If every place had a group of people preaching the gospel to the world with such fervor, over time, a harvest would surely come.

Mobilization of the Church

Once a new friend visited our church. As we chatted, he mentioned that our church members had given him gospel tracts six different times. “For the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” The gospel is not your power. The gospel is the power of God. All you have to do is go out and preach it: “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” When Paul preached the gospel in Corinthia, the Lord said to him, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

Has anyone in your city ever heard you preach the gospel? Preach it boldly. If no one listens after you have preached the gospel once, then preach it again. I hope we all have the heart of Paul, to stir up a city with the gospel. If the gospel does not flourish in the place where you are ministering, you will not be able to sleep at night, because there are so many unsaved people surrounding you. “As your days, so shall your strength be.”  

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“Has anyone in your city ever heard you preach the gospel? Preach it boldly. If no one listens after you have preached the gospel once, then preach it again. I hope we all have the heart of Paul, to stir up a city with the gospel.

— Brother Luo

Right now Chinese laws place no restrictions on individual evangelism. When viewed in a larger historical context, this is rare. During the Cultural Revolution, street evangelism was impossible; today, in North Korea and in many Middle Eastern countries, street evangelism is not possible. 

Fear Nothing the Future Can Bring

How will the church see a breakthrough in evangelism in this post-pandemic era [of tightening regulations]? If “everyone shares the gospel.” How can everyone participate in evangelism? First, we must correct our attitude toward and understanding of evangelism. It is not that our church is doing so well, it is just that we are putting evangelism back into its proper place, because it has been neglected. Secondly, the church as a whole must rise up and evangelize. The church should not focus on who has the gift of evangelism or the outcome of such evangelism, but should allow the entire church body to be an “open door,” and continue to build up small groups within the church. Third, we must see that God has given us a way to continue in evangelism through individual sharing, which is not prohibited by law. 

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“May the church in China preach the gospel in a down-to-earth way, being ’doers of the word,‘ meeting quietly, and praying reverently and sincerely. If we can continue on this path, the church will be strong and need fear nothing the future can bring—even if we encounter greater difficulties.

— Brother Luo

This path, in which everyone shares the gospel, is being followed by our church as well as many other churches. The evangelism of individuals is a great blessing to the church: “little strokes fell great oaks.” Our church was founded without a Reformed background or theological foundation. Over the years, we have built up our church through evangelism without any division. The more the gospel is preached, the stronger the foundation of the church will be; the more brothers and sisters are of one heart, the clearer the vision of the church will be. The experience of brothers and sisters had in dealing with all kinds of persecution was used in the midst of the pandemic. This was truly “a sword sharpened for ten years and tested once.”

When the pandemic came, the church, as she depended on God, was victorious. May the church in China rise up and follow the Lord’s Great Commission. May there be no “big and empty talks” or elitism, but instead may the church follow the path of the Lord and of the apostles. May the church in China preach the gospel in a down-to-earth way, being “doers of the word,” meeting quietly, and praying reverently and sincerely. If we can continue on this path, the church will be strong and need fear nothing the future can bring—even if we encounter greater difficulties.


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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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About Beijing

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About Shanghai

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