CHINA MISSIONS: “Your Ministry is Over”

Apr 6, 2024

Discover the compelling journey of a family's ministry among the Hui people in China, where converts face intense persecution. Uncover the struggles of Hui Christians as they navigate family pressures and societal shame for leaving Islam. As tensions escalated under government scrutiny, the speaker illustrates the importance of compassion towards authorities and the quest for safety. Despite challenges, learn how the ministry's outreach continues through local believers and media, highlighting resilience and hope amid adversity.

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ANECDOTE

Building Respect with Authorities

Kevin shares how he built relationships with local police by showing respect and compassion.
His children helped soften interactions, making authorities less intimidating and facilitating dialogue.

INSIGHT

Persecution as Family Shame

Hui Christians face mainly social and psychological persecution focused on family shame.
Conversion is seen as betrayal, causing severe relational and financial consequences within families.

INSIGHT

Government Fears Social Unrest

Chinese government fears social unrest more than the gospel's spiritual impact.
Authorities seek peace and stability, restricting activities that might provoke community tensions.

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Last week, Brother Kevin shared how he came to Christ and how God gave him a passion to reach the 13 million Hui people in China. For members of this people group, to be Hui is to be Muslim. Those who become Christians are considered traitors, bringing shame to their family.

Hui Christians face social, psychological, and sometimes financial persecution, typically enforced by members of their own family. They may lose their job, be kicked out of the family home, and even renounced as a member of the family.

Kevin came to see the communist authorities as ordinary people doing their jobs and providing for their families. He intentionally chose to see police and other authorities as worthy of his respect and compassion.

When Xi Jinping ascended to the leadership of the Communist Party and the Chinese nation, things changed. By 2017, most foreigners were having a hard time renewing visas. By 2018, hardly any foreign gospel workers were able to remain in China. Members of Muslim minorities—including the Hui and the Uyghurs—received “reeducation” enforced by the government.

Listen as Kevin shares how his family’s ministry in China ended and how tension grew during their final weeks in country as authorities searched for legal reasons to detain or deport Kevin and his family, including a late-night drive to the airport. Choosing to focus on God’s sovereignty allowed Kevin to shepherd his family and others struggling with their forced departure.

Gospel outreach to the Hui did not end with foreign missionaries being kicked out of China. Today they are reached through social media gospel outreach and multifaceted church planting by local Han Chinese believers as well as Christians from non-Western countries.

Pray for the Lord to continue moving among the Hui through dreams, visions and divine appointments with followers of Christ. Pray for Chinese brothers and sisters to boldly preach the cross and to prepare new Christians for persecution.

Richard and Jeannette had a similar experience in China as Kevin’s family, yet Richard found himself detained by the authorities. Listen to their story.

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