NEWS FROM CHINA

CHALLENGES IN ASIA

I write to you on behalf of all the missionaries in the China-region of Norwegian Lutheran Mission. Our Mission Secretary for Asia, Rev. Bjorn Brudeli, told us at our annual Missionary Conference in Taiwan last month that mission friends within Hauge Foreign Mission were interested in the mission work done by Norwegian mission organizations among the Chinese people.

 

As you may know, NLM sent their first missionaries to China in 1891. After the revolution in 1949 our mission continued their work among Chinese both in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and since 1974 also in Macau.

 

Two years ago NLM reorganized their work in these areas into one region and one administration with a region office in Hong Kong. Adults and children (41 total) gathered together for our second regional conference in Taiwan from March 31 to April 5. They came from their working places in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

 

It is my pleasure to send a greeting to all of you in Hauge Foreign Mission on behalf of all of them.

 

Those working in China are tentmakers. In Taiwan two families teach at China Lutheran Seminary, and two other missionary units work within The Lutheran Church of the Rep. of China, which has developed from NLM*s work in Taiwan since 1952. In Hong Kong we also have a sister-church, named Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church. Three missionary families serve within congregations connected to this church. Together with an administrative leader my responsibility is to serve as a regional director for our China-region.

 

At our Conference this year the focus was on how to reach out with the gospel to China. The tentmakers have many opportunities to get in contact with people and share the gospel. As a mission organization we relate to the registered church in China, and try to build relations. The theological Seminaries are very important to the Chinese Church, and we support one of them. Together with our co-operating church in Hong Kong we also have contact with churches in Gwangdong province. We have been asked to participate in some bible teaching the coming fall in this province, and we will give high priority to this.

 

We also realize that we have much to learn from the Chinese Church. Many of the Christians have a firm and tested faith in their Savior, and they have a clear testimony about their Lord in their daily life. It is amazing to witness what God has done in China the last decades, and the revivals are still going on especially in Henan province.

 

NLM started as a China mission. We still have a burden and the vision to reach out to the Chinese people who number over 1.2 billion in this region. I know many of you share the same vision. To pray for the Church in China and for the missionaries in this region is the key to continued growth and revival.

 

Let us join hands in this ministry and may God bless all of you! Yours in Christ.

 

Jan Ove Selsto, Regional Director