MINISTRY / His new name

316NOW provides American leaders for several Chinese women’s Bible study groups One of those leaders recalls how a Chinese friend asked her to provide her husband with an English name. And how her Chinese friends provided her with a Chinese name.

During one of our class sessions, a friend asked me if I would give her husband an English name. She had chosen an English name for herself long ago, but her husband did not have one. I spent the whole week in prayer and contemplation over this task. The next week when we met, I gave him the name Simon. Simon means "listening" and Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus' cross up the path to Calvary. In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." So I encouraged my friend that, since her husband was “listening“ to the Word, he should also take up his cross and follow his Savior like Simon.

Then I asked my students to give me a Chinese name. They were pleased to perform the task. The next week they informed me that they could not agree on only one. They told me about three different choices, their meanings, and tested whether I would be able to pronounce them with my Western accent. My Chinese name is Anyue. An means "peace" and Yue means happy or joyful. After much practice, I can say my name with the proper tones and pronunciation, but I am still learning to write it.

Just like in small group Bible studies in our American churches, 316NOW’s online Bible studies don’t only help Christians grow in their relationship with Jesus. Through time together in the Word, Christians grow in their relationship with each other. Though they are separated by half a globe, these believers enjoy a taste of the eternal fellowship that Jesus has won for them.

What you can do: Pray that, in spite of China’s restrictions on internet communication about religion, our Bible institute courses and our small group women’s studies are able to continue to operate.