Hallelujah! The Lord God Omnipotent reigns! It is a great joy to welcome you to the house of the Lord another Sunday. May God bless you richly today.

It appears that in many other parts of the world Christianity is waning. But in China, it is growing rapidly despite the many state restrictions. The rise in evangelical Protestantism in particular, driven both by people’s spiritual yearnings and needs, is taking place in nearly every part of that nation.
Western visitors who are accustomed to seeing empty sanctuaries in the United States and Europe are shocked at the Sunday gatherings held in convention center-sized buildings. There, people line up for blocks to attend one service after another. In Wenzhou, not far from Hangzhou, an estimated 1.2 million Protestants now exist in a city of 9 million people alone. (It is called “China’s Jerusalem.”) By one estimate, China will become the world’s largest Christian nation, at its current rate of growth, by 2030.

But there is also trouble brewing for believers in China. As evangelical Christianity grows rapidly, officials fear it could undermine their authority. Already, Christians may outnumber members of the Communist Party. In fact, Christianity now constitutes the largest civil gathering. This has far-reaching implications for the Chinese society and for a party that frowns on unofficial gatherings with different views.
In light of these facts, we need to be in fervent prayer for our brothers and sisters in China. Obviously the Devil does not like what is happening and will be trying his best to curtail it.
But we know the God we serve and the power He has. He said, “Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” (Jer. 33:11).

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK

1. CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING
Today, immediately after service.

2. LUNCH HOUR HOTLINE/WARFARE PRAYER
Wednesday, 12:00 noon Lunch Hour Hotline
5:30 p.m. Taking Authority over Your Year

3. CHOIR PRACTICE
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

4. HOUR-OF-POWER PRAYER SESSION
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 a.m.

5. NEXT SUNDAY
Worship & Ministry, 9:00 a.m.
King’s Daughter’s Meeting, 6:00p.m.

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We extend deepest sympathies to Sis. Bernice Simeon on the passing of her husband. Let us keep her and her family up in prayers during this time of grieving.
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EYESWITNESS ACCOUNT

When the Day of Discovery television crew interviews people for a biography, we especially enjoy talking with those who knew the person whose life-story we are telling. Over the years, we’ve talked with a man who roomed with Eric Liddell in an internment camp in China; a woman who as a teenager lived in the home of C.S. Lewis during World War II; and man who chauffeured Dr. George Washington Carver on a speaking tour throughout the southern US. They all spoke freely and openly about the special person they knew.

When John, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, was an old man, he wrote a letter in which his opening words established him as an eyewitness and close companion of Jesus: “The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:2). His goals in writing were “that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (v.3) and “that your joy may be full” (v.4).

The eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ disciples help lead us to faith in Christ. Even though we have not seen Him as they did, we have believed. -David McCasland

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MEDIA MINISTRY

World Overcomers: WSTA 1340 AM station: Sundays at 12:30 p.m. & Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m.

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