MINISTRY//Pivoting

Pivot is a huge word in these days of COVID disruption. From multinational corporations to local sandwich shops, businesses and nonprofits (churches, too) have been forced to pivot, to turn quickly in other directions.

316NOW has also pivoted this year. No, we have not abandoned our commitment to proclaim grace across China NOW. But we are approaching our ministry in some different ways. Here's an example.

Our liaison, the person who serves as our bridge between the U.S. side of our ministry and our Chinese friends and students, writes:

A number of our students struggle with reconciling the theological education they receive from our online Bible institute with the teachings of the churches they serve. For that reason, more and more of our students desire to form their own fellowship for Word study and worship.

Hence, we must address the need for additional personal and spiritual guidance of these students. They need advice on the best practices involved in starting and growing their own house church.

May God prepare our pastors to continually offer humble services in this field of ministry.

 Our liaison pointed to evidence of this need for 316NOW to pivot toward helping our students form their own churches. Over a two-week period, our 316NOW team completed eight consultations with students who were interested in beginning their own house church.

316NOW Mainland China Ministries Division is tasked with counseling our students about forming their own house churches. Since independent churches in China are illegal, our advice conscientiously balances respect for their government and grateful obedience to God.

What you can do: Pray for Christians in China who desire to fellowship with believers who are one with them in faith and who want to share that faith with others. Ask the Spirit to lead 316NOW to provide these believers with God-pleasing advice.