MINISTRY / What encouragement!
What encouragement!
Last Tuesday, I sent an email that recapped 316NOW’s journey through 2022. (I’ve attached it below.)
Several friends wrote back. What encouragement they provided.
One dear friend of our ministry wrote: “I will try as soon as I can squeeze some extra from my Social Security check. Praying daily!” Wow! What love for the Savior and the souls he came to make his own.
Another special friend replied, “Praise God for His faithfulness to the people of China! And thank God for 316NOW!”
And another valued friend wrote, “Thank you, Jim, for letting me know about the change this past summer. The Lord always provides a way…. When you think of the millions of souls in China, who are not allowed to read God’s Word or attend any gathering that would teach them, it makes you so sad, knowing what will happen to them upon death. It is our privilege to reach as many as God leads us to tell of His free salvation.”
Finally, a pastor-friend encouraged, “Let’s sing another chorus of Ein Feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress). And then continue our work (yours, mine, and ours) with new vigor…. May God bless our efforts – i.e., may he open doors and open hearts! … Keep up the good work!”
The 316NOW Team highly treasures the encouragement that brothers and sisters in Jesus share with it. It adds fuel to the grace-kindled flame that burns in our hearts to proclaim God's “good news of great joy that will be for all people” throughout China.
Thank you for your encouragement and your prayers.
Blessings are ours in Jesus!
Jim Aderman
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December 27, 2023
I need to thank you.
2022 has been a year that started with lows at 316NOW and is ending with highs.
2022 trials
On March 1, China vowed to remove all mention of religion from its internet -- unless those messages had been preapproved. Of course, 316NOW could never get its content approved.
At the same time, China promised to shut down all underground, that is illegal, house churches. Those are the type of churches 316NOW is working to start because the official churches in China cannot teach God's Word correctly.
You can imagine how this frightened students away from our Bible institute.
Also, at the beginning of 2022, our liaison decided to move on to another ministry. (Our liaison is the ambassador between us and our students in China. Our liaisons are Confessional Lutheran Chinese pastors.) That meant we were without an essential contact point with our students in China.
2022 triumphs
But what a change took place over the summer!
We began to implement a strategy that will allow us to reach out to some of the 50 million Chinese who live outside of China.
The Holy Spirit gave us a new liaison. He is a Confessional Lutheran Chinese pastor who has the skillset we need to equip more Christian leaders in China.
By summer we discovered that many of our students longed for our online courses, They were anxious to return to our classes -- classes we have made as secure from Chinese eavesdropping as possible.
Another change is that groups of Chinese Christians and their leaders seemed poised to develop into house churches. 316NOW's Mentoring and Consulting Division is ready to help them.
Our Sheep to Lambs Division is beginning to develop a new set of materials that Christian parents can use to instruct their children about Bible lessons. You'll remember that Sunday schools are illegal in China.
We have designed a strategy for bolstering Chinese marriages and for strengthening their families.
2022 Thanks
God has used you -- and many others -- to make this happen. He's used your words of encouragement, your interest in our ministry, your prayers, and your financial support to enable 316NOW to move ahead in the face of challenges.
For that I thank you so very much. Even more thanks come to you from the people we currently serve in China and -- in the future -- from Chinese souls who will enjoy eternal benefits as the gospel stretches across China because of your partnership with 316NOW.
So, yes, thank you. The Christmas angel's good news of great joy -- joy that will be for all the people -- continues to reach the people of China.
Blessings are ours in Jesus!
Jim Aderman / Executive Director