MINISTRY / NOW means now

How seriously does 316NOW take the NOW in its name?

Our name knits together two principles that drive our ministry of raising up Confessional Lutheran house church leaders.

• John 3:16, the wondrous news that Jesus has given us eternal life and our desire to share that life with everyone in China.

• NOW, the answer to the question, when will we share the gospel with China?

Serious about NOW

How serious is 316NOW about sharing God's grace NOW with Chinese souls?

316NOW's board of directors took decisive steps on August 16 to move from a part-time, volunteer executive director to a full-time, paid executive director.

Pastor Aderman's view

Pastor Jim Aderman, our current executive director, says of this transition, "The ministry has expanded over the last decade. Our Bible institute remains strong and growing in spite of Chinese efforts to curtail it. We are about to launch an outreach program to the Chinese Christians who are part of the 50 million (!) expatriate Chinese who are scattered around the globe."

"Our efforts to mentor church leaders and their congregations will intensify as more students come to our online Bible institute. Our efforts to support Chinese house churches with marriage, family, and other resources will take on increased importance."

"For those reasons, I am overjoyed that the Board of Directors has decided to call a full-time executive director to lead 316NOW."

For more on the rationale for calling a full-time executive director, tap here.

Pray for Pastor Wagner

The person who has received this call is Pastor Mark Wagner. Pastor Wagner has recently retired from parish ministry, but, if he accepts this call, he will return to full-time ministry as the chief administrator for 316NOW.

Please ask for the Spirit's guidance as Pastor Wagner deliberates whether leading 316NOW to reach more of China's 1.4 billion souls is a role God has prepared him to step into.