« Jogjakarta ministry with Ps Chris Hope |
Index
| Bushfire in Victoria »
China! China!
This is my third ministry trip to China - and it was a significant one in that this trip laid down a few things that will see, the Lord willing, my involvement with the nation in a more significant, meaningful and impacting way.
The nation is such a paradox. China has everything; the rich and the poor, the selfish and the selfless, freedom yet restriction, open yet harden......I believe God is doing something great for and through this nation.
I had a friend, John Tan (from CLIC Church, Berwick, Victoria) traveling with me and what a wonderful time of fellowship and insight into the work of God. Kim Hai, my good friend from my previous China trip was also with us and providing guidance along the way. We had a good time of ministry, interaction, a time of challenging each other and hearing out each other - it was very good indeed.
Ministry in Fuqing, Fujian Province
Ps Shi of the Fuqing Church received us warmly and I was glad to fellowship with him again. He has a church of over 2,000 people in the city of Fuqing and is involved with a Ministry Training School preparing many young people for ministry in the nation.
Ministry for me commenced with chapel service at the Fuqing Bible School; this is the third time I spoke at the School. I enjoyed every bit of it!
 |
 |
|
Ps Steven in front of the Fuqing 3-Self Church
|
This is the Bible School in which Ps Steven taught sessions three years in a row - what a privilege! |
 |
 |
|
Ps Steven with Kim Hai and Ps Shi of Fuqing Church
|
Students at Bible School Chapel |
Pastors & Leaders Retreat
I was privileged to speak at this year-end retreat at the city of Rong Tian. This is the group that Ps Shi had overall responsibility and it groups over 30 churches across the Fuqing county. I spoke on the mindset of a leader.
 |
 |
|
Pastors and Leaders at the Rong Tian Church gathering
|
Ps Steven speaking at the Rong Tian gathering |
 |
 |
|
Section of the pastors and leaders
|
View from the back of Rong Tian Church |
Ban Tou Church
Ban Tou is Kim Hai's home village. He was born there but left at the age of 8 for Malaysia - and of course Australia. What a destiny! Now he is back helping and ministering to his hometown with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I went with Kim Hai to Ban Tou for the expressed purpose of wanting to help the church in his hometown to rebuild. This will not only assist a poor village but also to empower Kim Hai for his continuing ministry in the place, including ministry to his 3 siblings who lived there.
I hope to raise A$20,000 to contribute to the relocating and rebuilding of the church. Would you like to help? If so please make contact with me.
 |
 |
|
Bantou Church - over a 100 years old but used as a factory during the Cultural Revolution years.
|
Another view of the church - they need our help as the village is poor. |
 |
 |
|
Visitors with Ps Cheng (2nd from right) and members at front of church
|
My friend, John Tan surveying the site for the new church building |
 |
 |
|
Ps Steven ministering to the Ban Tou congregation - mostly farmers and factory workers
|
Kim Hai, John Tan with Ps Cheng |
Visiting Kim Hai's Siblings
We wanted to see village life and to bless Kim Hai's siblings...
 |
 |
|
With Kim Hai's siblings in their incomplete home
|
John Tan amused about the village transportation that we just took! |
 |
 |
|
A view of the village from Kim Hai's sibling's home
|
A farming community really.... |
Ministry in Fuzhou
Jin Shang Training Centre
I was absolutely astounded to visit the Jin Shang Training Centre (a Watchman Lee Group Bible School) right at the heart of a commercial cum residential district - a beautiful suburb of Fuzhou city (the city has 8 million people).
The church that runs the Bible School is 1,000 strong and there were around 100 students attending the classes....it was wonderful to be able to minister in two sessions.....and then had a most meaningful meeting and lunches with the Chairman of the church/School.....
I hope that my contact with this group will evolve and grow over the years.....
 |
 |
|
Jin Shang Training Centre at Fuzhou City - an incredible legacy from Watchman Nee!
|
The Bible School - it was professional yet the spirituality of the staff and students were simply outstanding |
 |
 |
|
Students at Jin Shang School
|
John Tan sharing with students in a class |
 |
 |
|
John Tan being very delighted with the scope and depth of Jin Shang Bible School
|
With Chairman Li and his wife - we had great and very generous meals with the couple! |
Fuzhou House Churches
I met with my good frend, Timothy Chu - he had traveled and interpreted for me 3 times in row over my last 3 visits. Timothy is a sharp and good man. I like him a lot!
Timothy is a trained minister of the Gospel. He is currently teaching at a Bible College - I first met him teaching at the Fuqing Bible School. He is moving on and will partner with my ministry to plant and build 10 House Churches over the next 5 years in Fuzhou. I believe he is more than capable to do just that.
We will be supporting Teacher Timothy for a year. would you like to be involved? If so, you can contact Ps Steven Teo.
 |
 |
|
Ps Steven with John Tan and Teacher Timothy Chu (right)
|
House Church at Shang Du, Fuzhou city - a group of professionals attend this church |
Fu Xing Church
This church is an "open" church - a breakaway from the 3-self church. I was plesantly surprised when I walked into the church. It was 2 units of residential apartment torned down to create a church complete with office, rooms and worship hall!
 |
 |
|
Choir @ Fu Xing Free Church, Fuzhou
|
Ps Steven ministering the Word during Sunday service at Fu Xing Free Church |
 |
 |
|
Congregation on Sunday morning
|
Church hall - two apartment units into a House church |
Language School potential
I was also there to explore the potential of being involved in a Language School environment.....watch this space....
We visited two people involved in Language school in China. They are both based in Beijing. Interesting outcome.....again watch this space as I believe the Lord will leads us....
 |
 |
|
The pollution at Beijing is scary!
|
At the Olypmic Village - you see very little because the pollution was really bad. |
Great Trip Indeed....
This trip produced a lot of surprises:
(i) I saw the spontaneous love and compassion of Chinese Christians when the group we were having dinner reached out to feed 4 villagers looking for work and without food for a few days - they asked our group to give them some rice; and the group fed them well. Man, were the four people hungry - they were globbling up the food at a very quick pace! What a great example of Christian love - quite unlike the typical Chinese mindset of being self-centered and selfish!
(ii) Then there is Bro Liu who was supposed to send us to the Fuzhou airport. Liu from Jin Shang Bible School missed us because his car broke down that morning.....onced repaired, he drove all the way to the airport to look for us (he was so unhappy with himself that he just wanted to catch up with us to apologise..). He found us and with tears in his eyes apologised and reimbursed us the taxi fares plus he paid the cuppuccinos we were having! What a wonderful example of Christian principle and dedication!
(iii) James in Beijing was a great help indeed. He spent a few good hours with us and treated us to lunch. We learnt a lot from James, a Korean American and hope to continue our contact with him and the work that he is doing....
It was a good trip indeed....
 |
 |
|
Bro Liu with Ps Steven at the airport - Liu is powerfully exemplary!
|
Fuqing at night |
 |
 |
|
Ps Steven with Kim Hai and his sister at BanTou
|
Jin Shang at Fuzhou City - modern, clean and nice |
Back to Top