LUKE 24:44-49
Several years ago, it was my privilege to take a group of Disciples New Church Planters to China. Can you imagine anything more challenging than taking a group of ministers who are devoted to bringing people into relationship with Christ (a fault of church planters) into a country that restricts the practice of westerners sharing their faith?
It was totally unnatural for this group to keep their passion for the gospel to themselves. While they loved visiting churches, seeing missions, and watching Bibles being printing, nothing was more fulfilling to this group than the casual conversations they would have with people in our everyday travels. I knew before the trip was over, we’d all get deported.
While flying from Chengdu to Beijing, a young woman was seated between two planters. She was a model, headed to the capital where she was starting a new chapter in her life. When she found out that her seat mates were ministers, she began to ask questions about the Christian faith. For the first time, she heard the story about the remarkable Galilean that so many of us take for granted. She was thrilled-and began to ask questions about going to church. Our planters were more than thrilled to invite her to the church we were going to attend the next morning.
The next morning, we found our way to the church. There were no signs, we just followed our guide down an ally, where thousands were walking. We arrived at a crowded patio where the crowd was waiting for one service to end so we could get a good seat for the next service. As we stood waiting, our model friend called out to us, and ran to join our group. Our jaws just dropped-many are invited…but so few ever show up.
That morning I sat next to her and watched her open a Hymnal for the first time, study its contents, and sing the hymn we were being taught. One of the pastors in our group gave her his copy of the Chinese Bible. I watched her open it, stare at the contents, and become more acquainted with the stories we have heard a hundred times. It was powerful to watch her face, and to see how she approached this faith as one who was reading these stories for the very first time. As we left, we introduced her to our hosts from the church, and saw that they were taking her contact information, and engaging her into a community of new friends in her new home. While this was a very different culture, some things remain the same. There are still those who know little about our Lord, that are just waiting to be invited.
Prayer: Christ of the resurrection, your story continues to transform lives….but
only when we share it. Help me share your story in ways that help others experience
your resurrection anew.
Amen.
Rick Morse serves as Vice President for New Church in Church Extension
for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).