Editor’s note: This April, we are praying for Qingdao. Qingdao is a city of about 9 million, and is a well-known tourist spot and important seaport in northern China. To help us pray for their city, several Qingdao pastors shared some of their thoughts on the people and culture of Qingdao, as well as the needs of the local church.

Responses in this interview have been edited and slightly rearranged for clarity and length. This is the third of a three-part series; parts one and two can be found here.


CP: How we can we be praying for Qingdao and for Christians in Qingdao? How can we be praying for your churches and families?

Thomas Lu: Our church has started a new discipleship training program and needs prayer for this. Pray for a more healthy mission-sending organization to emerge here. We are doing some of this work, but want it to be a more inclusive, sustainable, and healthy structure.

Jason: Qingdao is not as strictly controlled as Beijing. It is a pretty open environment. The spiritual environment reflects the current political and economic status of the city. Life is pretty good, and there is a state of apathy, of being satisfied with the status quo. This can be either a crisis or an opportunity. If churches do not address this within their churches, they will miss this spiritual opportunity.

Barnabas Huang: Pray for Qingdao churches to repent. This is a city that has received much grace, but we have not reflected this by glorifying God.

Life is pretty good, and there is a state of apathy, of being satisfied with the status quo. This can be either a crisis or an opportunity.

Pray for Qingdao Christians to share the gospel and pray with fervor. Many Christians here are not good witnesses – the way their behavior is not as good as that of non-Christians. Pray for Qingdao believers to become more fervent in their willingness to share the gospel. They have received much grace, and there is a lot that should have been done, but has not. There is fear, and lack of passion.

This is a time of particular spiritual need in China right now. This is a great opportunity. As Christians, we have not done what we should have been doing.

Tang Aidong: Pray for pastors and brothers and sisters who are serving in the church. Many of them have been serving for many years, and are tired. They have lost energy and passion for ministry. Pray for their renewal and revival.

Pray for Qingdao believers to become more fervent in their willingness to share the gospel… This is a time of particular spiritual need in China right now.

Pray for young adults; because of life, work, marriage, and the economy, they have a lot of stress. Those raising children have especially big pressure. They have their sins of loving the world. Because of all these things, it is hard to find time and energy to serve the church.

Barnabas Huang: Our church often says, “God, please give us strength to open our mouths and share the gospel, so more Qingdao people will hear and accept.” We especially need the grace of the gospel to teach Christ in the home; pray for families to live out their lives in Christ.

Robert Chan: Pray for the Holy Spirit to work. We have all shared a lot about the particular challenges in this time, for pastors serving and young adults as they face these challenges. The enemy, the world, and our own sinfulness are all very present. The most common thing I hear in church when people share prayer requests is, “I feel weak. I believe in Christ, but my faith is weak.”

We have all shared a lot about the particular challenges in this time… The most common thing I hear in church when people share prayer requests is, “I feel weak.””

Pray that, because of the power of the resurrection, people will believe their identity is in Christ and know they are not alone in whatever task God has given them, whether that be raising children or working long hours. May they sense they are new creatures in Christ, and have a hope the world does not have. There is a lot of discouragement when people do not believe they are new in Christ, that the Spirit is working, and the church is advancing.

Wu Qing: This is my own personal need, but it is also a need in the church in general. There is plenty of training to help pastors, but a lack of good training for deacons or ruling elders. This type of leadership development is a big need in the church.

The other big need is homeschooling and Christian education. In this environment, it is very difficult. Some parents are choosing homeschooling, but there are many challenges. The church has very few resources or practical ways to help them in this area.


All of the names used in this story are pseudonyms to protect the identities of the pastors involved. Thomas Lu is a pastor with a burden to help the house church develop missionaries who can be sent to house churches inside and outside of China. Jason is a house church pastor in Qingdao. Barnabas Huang is a house church pastor with a ministry among young adults emerging from student ministry. He has been in Qingdao about 20 years. Pastor Tang Aidong has been serving the church for more than 30 years, beginning shortly after he came to faith. Robert Chan is a cross-cultural worker who serves the church in Qingdao. Wu Qing is also a house church pastor in Qingdao.

Pray for believers in Qingdao to take advantage of this crucial time in China and to fervently share their faith with those around them.

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Further Reading

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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

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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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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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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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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 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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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.

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About Shenzhen

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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

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.

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