Just when I think that I have China’s amazing Christian growth somewhat figured out, God throws a curveball into the mix. Who would have ever guessed that China’s state-controlled Three-Self Churches would undergo revival?
It wasn’t too long ago that I read Brother Andrew’s book, God’s Smuggler, for the first time and learned about the Three-Self Churches. All sermons were vetted by Communist leaders before pastors could preach them. No young people were allowed to attend services. So, only older people attended the services. Christians who met in underground churches, outside of the state-controlled Three-Self Churches, were branded outlaws.
Thus, the explosive Christian growth in China was through the heavily persecuted underground churches.
And now a revival is taking place in Three-Self Churches.
It sort of reminds me of the Charismatic Movement in the Roman Catholic Church which began at Notre Dame University and Duquesne University in 1967. The Pentecostals and other Charismatics were amazed that God’s Spirit could possibly enter Cathedrals and local parishes because they believed the buildings were religious deserts filled with pagans.
Yet, God moved and redeemed Catholics, not paying attention to our close-minded attitudes.
My prayer today:
Lord, forgive me for not believing that all things are possible with You. Therefore, I pray that you move camels through the eyes of needles in China and do other mind-blowing wonders which will cause us to be astonished at the depth of Your love for mankind. (Based on Mark 10:25-27)
What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?
Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.
Larry Who 
Yes, it is true that Three Self Churches are experiencing revival and in most places a greater liberty provided by the government (Religious Affairs Bureau or RAB) so they can praise God with all their hearts, minister to youth and children, and meet here and there outside the church. I don’t think a weekly organized Bible study is allowed in most places, but group gatherings for a one time concert or a one time meeting seems to be fine. Let’s pray that people who were never exposed to revival before will walk through the open door. Pastors of these churches seem to be the most shocked of all. Many of them are not geared toward revival and are accustomed to being watched by the RAB. Dear pastors of TSPM (Three Self Patriotic Church Movement) need our prayers so they can learn how to follow the Lord God of heaven rather than the rules of men.
Lift the Cross of Jesus!
This really reminds me more and more of the Charismatic Movement where many of the pastors were clueless about what was happening in their churches, whether they were Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran, and so forth. Yet, it did not deter the Spirit of the Lord from setting the captives free. Yes, let’s pray for the pastors, hoping the fire of God will stir their hearts to grab hold of what God is doing – AND – to not be wet blankets trying to douse the fire of God.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Mr. Larry! What a great God we serve!
God bless you!
Debbie,
Thanks. I agree about serving a great God. God bless you.