MINISTRY / The gospel advances

What joy!

I spent this morning and part of the afternoon with a group of Confessional Lutheran Christians from China. I thank God for their love for the gospel, as well as their desire to live out and share that love.

I learned how their group of congregations is not only doing gospel outreach in their city, but is reaching people hours away from their city. More than that, they are raising up a group of expatriate Chinese Christians in another country. Their leaders stay in regular contact with Christians in those mission outposts and they travel to teach them as often as they can.

Yes, what joy! The Spirit continues to create avenues for his grace to reach more and more people. He does it through exemplary Christian brothers and sisters like I spent time with today.

I'm reminded of the Apostle Paul, imprisoned in Rome, who assured the Philippians, I want you to know, brothers, that the things which happened to me actually took place to advance the gospel. And so it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to all the rest, that I am in chains because of Christ (1:12-14).