Without a doubt, the most refreshing thing about China is the great spiritual hunger we see among the people. During our recent visit to Hangzhou, just as during last year’s visit to Beijing, Wuhan and Qingdao, we found people remarkably receptive to Jesus.
The middle-aged man who spent two days with us shared that, in his experience, most Chinese simply have not heard about Jesus. And, when they are given the opportunity to hear about Jesus, they respond favorably. This was certainly the case with him. At first, when his daughter came to faith in Christ, he was skeptical. He did not, however, really know anything about Jesus. And, as she shared Jesus with him, he became an enthusiastic follower. Today he worships and serves regularly in a vibrant and healthy church in Hangzhou along with his wife. He baptizes three to four people each year.
A young woman we met was invited by her coworker to attend a house church. There she was introduced to a couple who started reading through a booklet published by the American organization Let’s Start Talking. She came to faith in Jesus and has been an active member of that church for three years.
We met another young woman in a house church. She is a teacher. She rises each morning around 4 AM. She runs long distances around West Lake and prays as she runs. She participates in multiple online Bible studies and is an active part of her church. She came to faith in college in Hangzhou. Soon she hopes to study at Vanderbilt. Her Christian faith informs everything she does. As she spent an afternoon with us, she inspired us by her deep devotion to Christ.
There is a deep hunger for Christ in China. That is one of the reasons why we soon hope to be part of God’s great work in China.
