by Les Frasier

The People’s Republic of China is the most populous country in the world. It has an incalculable population estimated at over 1.25 billion people.

China is presently emerging as an industrial power after a long period of isolation that began in 1949 as a result of Communist control. This was the beginning of the present government that was established by Mao Zedong. It was at this time that Mao and his followers forced out the missionaries and took possession of the churches. Yet, China is proof that it pays to invest in missions. Since 1977 the growth of Christianity in China knows no parallels in history. From the year 1900 when the Boxer Rebellion called attention to China as a mission field, until the missionaries were pushed out in 1949, the seed of the Gospel was planted in China. It was estimated that there were about 1,812,000 Protestants in China in 1949. Nevertheless, in 1992 the State Statistical Bureau in China confidentially estimated that there were 83 million Christians besides Roman Catholic affiliates in China.

Early missionaries planted the seed and God saw to it that the seed was watered and He is still giving a rich harvest. Conversely, Satan has also been working in China. Persecution has been known and experienced by Christians for many years. It has come in cycles. During the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1978, the persecution was extremely severe. Bibles were destroyed, believers’ homes looted, believers humiliated, imprisoned and many were killed. The policy of the government toward Christians is to control them by forcing the churches to register with the government. Those churches that do register are called Three Self Patriotic Churches (or Three Self), but those that refuse to register are called house churches. It is the house churches that are presently experiencing pressure and persecution in order that they might register with the government.

These house churches need Bibles, Christian literature and training for pastors.

Will God open the door to missionaries to openly preach the Gospel in China again before our Lord’s return? For such an opportunity preparation must be made. Young couples must learn the Mandarin language and culture with the desire to do what they can presently, and to be ready to enter the country when the doors open.

We are praying that the Lord will send many willing souls who want to serve our Lord and Savior in this needy country.

Gradually, opportunities for missions have appeared following the re-establishment of relations between China and western governments.

If you like the sweet taste of mangos, pineapples, coconuts, bananas and papayas, the Philippines is the place you would enjoy. The population of this archipelago of some 7,100 islands and islets has grown to approximately 75 million.

Under President Fidel V. Ramos, the first Protestant president in the history of the Philippines, the stability of the country has brought many advantages for both industry and missions. There is freedom of religion. Most of its people were converted to Roman Catholicism under the influence of Spain in past years. Only 7.5% of the population professes Protestantism. However, evangelical Christianity would only encompass 5.1%.

The Philippines is undoubtedly one of the most fertile mission fields on the face of the earth. God has blessed the preaching of the Gospel there through BIMI missionaries in a very special way. Although Tagalog is the official language, the regional dialects prevail in their particular areas. BIMI missionaries minister in the Philippines from Laoag in northern Luzon to General Santos on the southern-most island of Mindanao. Literally thousands of salvation decisions are reported yearly from the preaching of the Gospel throughout the islands of the Philippines.

About 350 churches and preaching stations have been established, either by missionaries, or nationals trained by missionaries.

Due to language and economic factors, rather than concentrating efforts in one or two Bible colleges, most of the missionaries establish a Bible institute under a strong church in a region. Through these training centers, pastors and Christian workers are trained not only for the existing churches but also for starting new churches. For example, the Iloilo Baptist College has from 500 to 600 students enrolled in such training under Rick Martin on the island of Panay. Mel Brown has several Bible Institutes in different churches around Manila with about 80 students. After just a few years Bruce Rice has over 30 students in his Bible School in Cagayan de Oro on Mindanao. There are about 20 schools that are directed by BIMI missionaries.

The number of BIMI missionary personnel continues to grow in order to capitalize on the opportunities in this economically poor, but spiritually thirsty, country. These islands are a rich and fruitful mission field for the preaching of the Gospel. BIMI missionaries have served in the Philippines since 1970 and are involved in evangelism, church planting and the training of national leadership. God is doing a great and mighty work in the Philippines. His Name is to be praised! Has God called you to labor in these “whitened” fields of the Philippines?

“Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already unto harvest.”

Japan has a population of approximately 127 million people, though its land mass is only equal to the state of California. The people are known to be polite and hardworking. They can boast of 100% literacy and a strong work ethic. The country stands out as the economic leader of the Far East. Salesmen from Japan have circumvented the world selling their cars, TV’s and electrical equipment.

Their religion is mainly Buddhism. Shintoism is an expression of their nationalistic mindset. And Confucianism is the basis of their sense of ethics. Approximately 98% of the people are lost in the light of Biblical truth. Less than 2% would profess evangelical Christianity. They have heard of Christianity, but they do not know the Gospel. The average Japanese thinks of Christianity as a Western religion and, therefore, difficult for them to accept.

There are hundreds of Baptist churches in some cities of America. But there are cities of a quarter of a million people in Japan without one Baptist church or any church. However, the door for missions is wide open in this country. One can receive a three-year renewable missionary visa in Japan.

The need for missionaries is very great. BIMI has been ministering in Japan since 1963. Missionaries are currently serving in a variety of ministries including evangelism, church planting and the training of national leadership. We rejoice in the changed lives of people who have accepted Christ as their Savior. About 70 churches have been established either by BIMI missionaries or by national pastors trained in the Bible schools. These churches vary in size. However, some are the largest Baptist churches in Japan. We look forward to continuing our work in this great country. Please pray that God would call other missionaries to join the family of BIMI in Japan. Is God speaking to your heart about this spiritually needy country?

Taiwan is an open door to preach the Gospel. Its approximate 22 million population has only 3.5 percent professing any form of Christianity. Many missionaries are needed to reach these precious souls for Christ.

Mongolia has 2.5 million people that have been devoid of the gospel during its history as a part of the Soviet Republic. However, it is now possible for missionaries to preach the Gospel in this needy area of the world. We are praying that God will send forth laborers to preach Christ’s message of redemption while there is an opportunity to do so.

The Hawaiian Islands, though they make up one of the fifty states, can boast only of 3 percent of its 1.2 million as evangelical Christians. Where are the workers?

Micronesia is a conglomerate of 2,000 islands consisting of the Caroline, Marshall and Mariana Islands, which cover a large portion of the North Pacific. The population of these scattered islands is approximately 120,000. The Roman Catholic influence is strong, but 19% of the people profess evangelical Christianity. English is the predominate language. BIMI missionaries have been serving in Micronesia since 1973, but currently, only a few missionaries serve the Lord there. These precious people need the Gospel, and we are praying that God will send someone like you to these islands.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

John 3:16 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.

BRANT & MAYLOU HOLLADAY -  EUROPE DIRECTOR
AARON BURR & STACY HOOT -  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JOHN & LEE ETTA HORNBECK JR -  MILITARY - GERMANY