August 2018 Newsletter — Hope Over Asia

Facing Challenges in a Changing China

As we said last month, the political climate in China has changed dramatically due to new religious laws and changes by China’s commander-in-chief, who recently said: “Unregistered house churches [like ours] are a threat to national security.” This, along with the “tariff wars” and tense US-China relations, has made an already uncertain setting even more unstable. So, our presence in China as Americans in church leadership is a problem.

The good news is, in spite of this political pressure and necessary changes, our local campus pastor and leadership team have risen to the challenge. The church is doing well! They realize they have been prepared for such a time as this and are in the process of moving to a new location. They are doing an incredible job. I am in contact with them almost daily (in more of a consultant role) as we figure out how God wants us to “Pastor Jim, don’t worry, even though you are not here now, the team and church you built ARE… and we are moving forward.”

Just recently in our church we sent out our first short-term team to Tibet to visit and help our missionary that lives there. Even in times of persecution, God and His church are on the move! In addition, a new believer was baptized last week in a small group, and two of our incredible leaders (who met on a missions trip to India last year) just got married last week!

So Now What?

Because of the uncertain environment in China, State Security focusing on us, along with their threat of criminal charges (which would result in heavy fines, detainment, and imprisonment), we are not sure when we will be able to return. We WILL keep you posted. Our family is long overdue for a sabbatical. We have been on the field for 19 years without an extended break or sabbatical to recharge personally. So, that is what we are doing now.

You have partnered with us so faithfully over the years to reach China! Please continue to stand with us in this time. We need you and value your partnership, love, prayers, and financial support for our family and the work we do.