May 7, 2016

The Shepherd's Corner

[:en]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

China is not only a country with the fastest growing economy; it is also a country with the fastest growing Christianity.

It is estimated there are more than 50 million Christians in China. Yes, there are still restrictions in some areas but overall most Chinese enjoy the religious freedom, something that was unheard of decades ago.

There are of course a number of factors that have contributed to the growth of Christianity in China. But, there is one that became the key that opened the religious freedom in China. It was the meeting between President Jimmy Carter and Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping in January 1979—a meeting that took place in Washington after President Carter normalized diplomatic relations with China.

At the end of the official state banquet, Vice Premier Deng suddenly said this, “President Carter, you have been very helpful to the Chinese people, and I wonder if there is anything special that we may do for you.” To that question, President Carter then made his request that China would once again permit missionaries, Bibles, and worship to come to China. The next day Vice Premier Deng granted two out of the three requests—Bibles and worship!

That’s what happened behind the scene. If President Carter didn’t share this little secret in one of his books, we would not have known this inside information. Yes, there are many things that happen behind the scene. God works behind the scene; so do mothers.
There are so much that go into rearing and building a child; and most are done by mothers—behind the scene.

I believe in heaven God will take mothers’ hands from behind the scene to the front stage. He will show them what they have done.

Pastor Paul[:id]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

China is not only a country with the fastest growing economy; it is also a country with the fastest growing Christianity.

It is estimated there are more than 50 million Christians in China. Yes, there are still restrictions in some areas but overall most Chinese enjoy the religious freedom, something that was unheard of decades ago.

There are of course a number of factors that have contributed to the growth of Christianity in China. But, there is one that became the key that opened the religious freedom in China. It was the meeting between President Jimmy Carter and Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping in January 1979—a meeting that took place in Washington after President Carter normalized diplomatic relations with China.

At the end of the official state banquet, Vice Premier Deng suddenly said this, “President Carter, you have been very helpful to the Chinese people, and I wonder if there is anything special that we may do for you.” To that question, President Carter then made his request that China would once again permit missionaries, Bibles, and worship to come to China. The next day Vice Premier Deng granted two out of the three requests—Bibles and worship!

That’s what happened behind the scene. If President Carter didn’t share this little secret in one of his books, we would not have known this inside information. Yes, there are many things that happen behind the scene. God works behind the scene; so do mothers.
There are so much that go into rearing and building a child; and most are done by mothers—behind the scene.

I believe in heaven God will take mothers’ hands from behind the scene to the front stage. He will show them what they have done.

Pastor Paul[:]

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - February 11, 2024
First, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to visit my mom in Indonesia.  Thanks to your prayers, she is now making good progress.  While there, I flew to Malang and spent a day to visit with friends in the seminary who are ill.  By the grace of God, they are [&hel...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - December 15, 2019
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Today we have come to the third Advent week and the third candle, which is called the Shepherd’s Candle, signifies joy. Perhaps the word “joy” is an understatement to describe what the shepherds felt upon seeing the angel of the Lord and meeting the Savior of the world ...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - June 5, 2022
I wonder what I would be thinking about when I, if God’s willing, turn 90! Perhaps I’d be thinking about how grateful I am for the life God has given me and how I look forward to finishing it well.  The last thing in my mind would be about starting another project.  I’d simply be [&h...
Read More