Editor’s note: This is the last of our series on the southern China city of Guilin.
Guilin is located in the Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the surrounding area is home to many different ethnic minority groups. Chinese pastors — one of whom is a member of the Yao people group — shared with us that doing ministry with these people, many of whom live in surrounding rural villages, is quite difficult. Many of the minority peoples are much more fervent than city people in their worship of idols and of ancestors. They are also resistant and even hostile to evangelism efforts. But, these pastors believe God is working in these peoples, calling them turn to him. Although the soil is hard, in time, there will be a harvest.
China Partnership: Pastor Tan, could you share about your experience as a member of a minority group? We are also curious if, when you served Guilin ethnic minorities, you had any special ministries? Were there differences in ministering to the Yao people as compared to other groups?
Fervent Idol Worship
Tan Yexuan: Ethnic minorities in China all have their own idols, their totems. Minorities actually worship idols even more fervently than Han Chinese. And now the Chinese government, under the guise of “protecting culture,” allows them to openly worship idols and burn incense. In my hometown, we have the Panwang Festival, the Guandi Festival, and many festivals that involve idol worship.
Minorities have deep-rooted superstitions, and are very superstitious about idols. When sharing the gospel with minority people, like in my hometown, we encounter these attitudes. They are even more stubborn and obstinate than the Han people in the cities. Sometimes, when we share the gospel, they even verbally insult or curse us.
Minorities have deep-rooted superstitions, and are very superstitious about idols. When sharing the gospel with minority people, like in my hometown, we encounter these attitudes.
These are the main difficulties we have. It’s very different from sharing the gospel in the city.
God Will Call His Own
Du Panhe: Since we are in the Zhuang Autonomous Region, our church has both Zhuang and Yao people. It is indeed very difficult to share the gospel with ethnic minorities. Their idol worship is quite serious, and ancestor worship is another major stronghold. But we believe God’s grace is irresistible. He will call those he has chosen.
In fact, the conversion of Brother Tan’s family is a miracle, a clear demonstration of God’s irresistible grace. A sister in the church shared the gospel with his older sister. After she believed in the Lord, she shared the gospel with their whole family. Gradually, many in their family have come to believe in the Lord.
It is indeed very difficult to share the gospel with ethnic minorities… But we believe God’s grace is irresistible.
Although minority groups have this culture of ancestor and idol worship, we believe the power of the gospel – the gospel’s irresistible grace – has reached those who are God’s. Scripture clearly tells us that every nation and every tribe will one day worship him before the throne. There must be his people among the Yao. And look! – a preacher, a leader, has emerged from the Yao people. We also have Zhuang and other ethnic minorities among our co-workers in the church. But ministry to these groups is, indeed, not easy.
However, ethnic minorities in Guilin are now becoming more and more Sinicized. Their own ethnic characteristics are not as strong anymore, except for those who live in remote mountain areas. In those places, their culture has been preserved relatively intact.
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An Area of Immature Ministry
Yang Xi: We haven’t done much evangelism among ethnic minorities, so our ministry in this area is still quite immature. We are praying that the Lord will raise us up to do more evangelism and missions among the ethnic minorities in the surrounding areas.
Ethnic minorities in Guilin are now becoming more and more Sinicized. Their own ethnic characteristics are not as strong anymore.
Another church sent a part-time missionary sister to share the gospel in a Zhuang village somewhat near. That village is quite resistant to the gospel, and exclusive toward outsiders. Although the sister is a little discouraged, she is willing to continue praying for the Zhuang, and to keep sharing the gospel with them.
Yang Xi, Du Panhe, and Tan Yexuan are all pseudonyms for Guilin house church pastors.
Pray for God to soften the hard soil of the Yao, Zhuang, and other minorities in the Guilin area. May many of these people turn to worship the Lord!
