Newsletter March 2003 English

As the plane was descending over the landscape of Shanghai onto Pudong airport, a growing mega city was in sight. For the past three years, I have witnessed the rapid changes in the landscape. Exotic skyscrapers are being built around the clock. McDonald's and Starbucks can be seen full of people on every major street corner. More and more young professionals from outside Shanghai are working and living in the city. According to last December's Shanghai Labour Bureau report, 19,500 foreigners from 126 countries were working in this city. 90% have a bachelor's degree and higher education. At the same time, 150 millions of rural labour workers are flocking to major cities looking for jobs. Many lucky ones have ended up working as construction labourers, domestic nannies, taxi or company drivers in this fascinating city. A TV ad even said that everyone wants to go to Shanghai, a place of opportunities.

I walked through the small backyards and winding alleyways, hearing the cry of babies, the quarrels of women in a dialect I could not understand. I saw faces so blank; eyes so empty gazing wearily at the passer-bys. The sound of a hymn-people need the Lord-kept ringing in my head.

Now with a thankful heart, I know that many have been drawn to this city with a heart to serve, a response to be salt and light, and to share the love of Jesus. They know they cannot do much, but they have a deep felt sense of God's love for the city, for the poor, the blind, and the oppressed. I was so touched by an African brother who prayed fervently for Gospel Broadcasting and for His mighty work around the globe. A sister who kept walking through crowded streets and shopping malls with a praying heart. Sometimes I heard sharing like this: it is so tempting to stop and share with people in the city, but getting them into trouble is a concern. The warmth of a community who lives out the heart of our Mission Lord is so inviting for me to stay. Evidently it's the desire of many to pass on this message: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" ~Jn. 3:16.

Coming home to another mega city of the world, New York City, I see that downtown has changed so much since the disappearance of the Towers. The city is in economic crisis, the crime rate has gone up, and many young professionals are returning to graduate study because the job market is so distressing. The hustle and bustle along Canal Street and the side streets all the way to East Broadway echo with the same chorus: people need the Lord. No matter where we go, we know the Lord has His heart for the lost. He is inviting His children to share with Him in accomplishing His great eternal plan.

Mission is more than a project or task, but rather it is the essence of our existence. Mission is the very heart of God; it is His eternal purpose for mankind, with His people and with the local church as His co-workers. I remember a pastor once said: "The church that isn't mission-minded soon becomes a mission field." I do believe God does give each church a specific vision to fulfil His global purposes. He is still calling people to specific tasks everywhere in the world today.

We have responded and have been blessed to engage in communicating God's love and His Word to different Chinese people groups through modern communication means. It is through working with God's people around the world that the message can be further expounded, taught and applied in daily lives like seeds sown on good soil bearing fruits thirty folds, sixty folds and hundred folds. With thankful hearts, we pray for spiritual revival that many churches will be "sending churches" and many will be kneeling in prayer that the Holy Spirit will teach us who God is. As in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we are not our own; we have been bought with a price. If we are sure of this, we will seek to follow our Master's mandate with gratefulness and unceasing joy.

Written by Eileen Liu, Executive Director of CGBC