Editor’s note: This October, we are praying for Xi’an, located in northwestern China. To find out more about how to pray for this important city, several pastors and ministry leaders shared about their home. Current political realities have made worship and discipleship more difficult than in the past, and leaders are struggling to know how to best shepherd their people. In this season of difficulty, Xi’an leaders long for revival, and pray to see the day when God’s Spirit moves in a special way. But for now, they pray for perseverance and wait with hope for what God will do.
Leading Church through Small Groups
China Partnership: How can we be praying for your city and for Christians in your city? How can we be praying for your churches and families?
Wang Hu: God is in control of the environment. We have entered this phase [where our church has had to split into numerous small groups, instead of meeting as one large church]. We shouldn’t complain, but embrace the challenges. We need to fully recognize the changes in our current environment. It’s kind of like being enrolled in school; we must learn. If we don’t adapt, the environment will teach us through hardship.
Many areas, including Sunday school, are affected. Children are now scattered across many locations. Some of our small groups have strong Sunday schools, but others have only a few children. This is quite sad. These are new challenges, and we ask for your prayers and God’s guidance.
[A sister] told me that she hopes to witness a great revival of the Chinese church in her lifetime. I share the same hope. Both of us sense that this time is drawing near.
We have faith, and co-workers in the church are discussing how to face these challenges and strengthen connections among those working in the church. Right now, we are focusing on learning together. Every morning, those of us working in the church pray together. We don’t meet long, only 30 minutes. We also study spiritual books, and get together at different homes for study, review, and to eat and fellowship.
As for our small groups, we are trying to empower and train workers to become “experts” who can support brothers and sisters. We want them to be able to help believers through their lives, equipping, and example, and so to provide for the entire church. We want everyone in our church to feel supported.
Hope for Revival
Gao Zhuang: I know several brothers and sisters who moved to Xi’an from Beijing or Shanghai, seeking a more relaxed lifestyle. But reality isn’t always so easy. Sister Zhang Nan already shared how it can be difficult to even find a job. Yet, there is still hope.
Recently, I talked with another sister about the future. She told me that she hopes to witness a great revival of the Chinese church in her lifetime. I share the same hope. Both of us sense that this time is drawing near. We want to prepare ourselves, and wait for that moment.
Over the years the church has been impacted and pressured – but we are not afraid. Brothers and sisters are prepared. We are living in the cracks, and we are ready to respond.
Sometimes, God allows a church – or even a generation of churches – to slowly decline and endure hardship. Over time, many churches weaken. But then, suddenly, the Spirit of God arrives and revival blossoms. I long to see a revival like the one in John Wesley’s time within my lifetime.
This is what I have to share. I hope you will pray for Xi’an.
The Reality of Persecution
An Yujing: A common challenge we all face is religious persecution. Last year, we planned a youth camp, but ran into problems because working with young people is such a sensitive area. Teenagers, university students, anyone in school, minors – all these groups are “red lines” for the Religious Affairs Bureau. We were a bit careless online, and someone saw our messages, which led to some issues.
Ultimately, I don’t think this will hinder anything significant, but it is a challenge. This is the shared reality of religious persecution.
Just the other day, one of our pastors was questioned and registered. Last year, another person was called in for questioning. He was supposed to go to jail for a week or two, but miraculously, nothing came of it. He never went. But we know he is still being watched. This kind of thing will keep happening. Because the officials don’t have any other leads, they’ll keep an eye on him, and hope to find something.
This is our specific prayer request as far as the religious environment goes. Over the years the church has been impacted and pressured – but we are not afraid. Brothers and sisters are prepared. We are living in the cracks, and we are ready to respond.
They can’t disband us. If we can’t meet in person, we can still meet online. If we can’t gather in large groups, we can still come together in small groups. They can’t extinguish us.
Right now, our church services still meet in person. I think if we had to switch and primarily meet in small groups, the pastoral care impact on the whole church would be great. We are praying the church in China can persevere and remain steadfast in this environment. We are praying that we won’t give in. They can’t disband us. If we can’t meet in person, we can still meet online. If we can’t gather in large groups, we can still come together in small groups. They can’t extinguish us.
Perseverance is key. We hope we can find ways for churches to connect in the future and let go of preconceived notions. I don’t fully understand what is going on, but right now, things are especially difficult. Everyone has their own ideas, and it’s very difficult to get everyone on the same page.
Wang Hu is an elder in his house church in Xi’an. An Yujing is a woman involved in house church ministry, and Gao Zhuang is an elder at a local church.
Pray for revival in Xi’an, and for churches facing persecution and pressure.
