Though I am new to ChinaSource in an official sense, I have enjoyed the privilege, by way of my close friendship with Dr. Brent Fulton and his wife Jasmine, of witnessing this ministry grow through the years. Since its inception I have been impressed with the vision, mission, and core values of ChinaSource.
Vision and Mission
Vision
China’s Christians engaging society inside and outside of China as they contribute to and influence the global church conversation for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
Mission
ChinaSource is a trusted platform facilitating the flow of critical knowledge and leading-edge research among the Christian communities inside China and around the world and engaging them in collaborating to serve the Chinese church and society.
The vision and mission of any Christ-centered organization can be seen as God’s specific calling and direction for the work he is guiding.
At ChinaSource, we see the need to be good learners and listeners—humble, trusted friends and partners with the Chinese church and global body of Christ.
In our staff meeting last week, I told the team how honored I am to be a part of a group that is so passionately committed to the calling our Lord has given us. He has called us to bless, encourage, resource, network, empower, and partner together for the building up of the Chinese church worldwide; an amazing privilege and responsibility.
The turning point and linchpin of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is found in I Corinthians 8:1b: “But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” For ChinaSource, the resourcing of knowledge is also not enough. We are also called to lovingly introduce, connect, and partner, while emphasizing and facilitating the development of indigenous leadership and local distinctives. We believe the Lord has called ChinaSource to help indigenous leaders identify their connection and calling in the worldwide body of Christ.
Worship and Wait
As we seek to build up the church, we do so in the midst of a true shaking. Our calling in him has not changed, but it seems he is insisting on new wineskins. The church in China is facing unknown territory, at least for this generation, and it is incumbent on us, in this present season, to worship and wait (see Psalm 27:14) on the Holy Spirit to know how best to accomplish the vision and mission he has given us by way of our core values which he has instilled in us: engage, collaborate, and serve.
Would you please worship and wait with us? This year is a year of transition for ChinaSource as we seek to follow his calling to be transformed organizationally, even as he guides us to enlarge our relationships and partnering networks inside and outside China.
There is a lot that is unknown about this process, but that is true for everyone called to serve China—or anywhere for that matter. The world is rapidly changing, and the challenges are great, but we can be encouraged and renewed by Paul’s words in Romans 11:29:
For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
This is true for each person whom the Heavenly Father has called into life in Christ and it is true as we respond to his ministry calling, equipped with the gifting he has given us.
Thank you for praying with us that God will guide us favorably through this current strategic planning process and that we will be open to any changes and new wineskins he brings our way.
Kerry Schottelkorb
President
News and Notes
ChinaSource Connect in Los Angeles, CA
We invite you to join us for an evening with members of the ChinaSource team where we’ll share updates as well as ways that you can partner with us in serving with the church in China. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet our new president, Kerry Schottelkorb, and hear from him about his vision for ChinaSource as we move forward in this season.
If you know of friends or other organizations involved in or even just curious about Christianity in China, please invite them as well.
Date: Thursday, June 20, 2019
Time: 6:00pm dinner, 7:00-8:30pm program
Venue: First Chinese Baptist Church Walnut
Address: 1555 Fairway Drive, Walnut, CA 91789
As a light dinner will be provided, please RSVP here by JUNE 6, 2019 so we can prepare food accordingly.
Staff News
- Joann Pittman spoke at Ottawa Mandarin Alliance Church in Ottawa, ON, Canada on May 3.
- On May 5, Joann Pittman spoke at Emmanuel Alliance Church of Ottawa, in Nepean, ON, Canada.
Opportunities to Serve
For updates on opportunities to serve with ChinaSource, check our Opportunities page for the latest information.
Ways to Pray
- Pray for China’s ethnic people groups, especially the Muslims in China, during this month of Ramadan. Of China’s 55 officially recognized minority peoples, ten groups are predominantly Sunni Muslim. Pray our Lord Jesus will reveal himself, as they fast, pray, and reflect.
- Pray for believers in China as they encounter increased pressure from the government; praying for wisdom, courage, and discernment for every situation they face.
- Pray for Dr. Brent Fulton and his wife Jasmine as they continue to worship and wait on the Lord during their sabbatical season. Recently Brent wrote: "How grateful we are for your prayers as we continue on our sabbatical journey. Recently our hearts have been challenged by this quote from St. Ignatius of Loyola:
There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace.
"As we wait upon the Lord, seeking to understand more of what it means to be abandoned into his hands, pray that we would be receptive to his work of grace in our lives. Thanks for praying!"
- Pray for ChinaSource staff to persevere in our Lord’s grace and peace during this year of transition for both ChinaSource and in China. Pray for each one to live out God’s calling through the gifts he has provided.
- Pray for new staff to fill roles in finance, admin, and IT/Salesforce operations.
In Case You Missed It
A selection of recently published items:
- Faith. Hope. Love. ChinaSource Blog, May 15.
- Seeking God for International Student Ministry in China, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), May 14.
- A Family Tour: A Film Review, ChinaSource Blog, May 13.
- Tianjin!, ChinaSource Blog, May 10.
- Studying Christianity in China: A Book Review, ChinaSource Blog, May 8.
- Chinese Bible Printing in China: The Story of Amity Printing Company, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), May 7.
- Reconciliation Is Good, But . . ., ChinaSource Blog, May 6.
- Belt and Road Initiative: A Reading Roundup, ChinaSource Blog, May 3.
- 7 Reasons Why Sinicization Is Not Rhetoric This Time, ChinaSource Blog, May 1.
- Teaching Children to Pray, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), April 30.
- Life in Motion: A Resource for Those in Transition, ChinaSource Blog, April 29.
- When Meridians Guide Needles Not Ships, ChinaSource Blog, April 26.
- A Remembrance of Things Past, ChinaSource Blog, April 24.
- Easter—the Way Out from Qingming, ChinaSource Blog, April 23.
- 10 Quotes about the Chinese Bible, ChinaSource Blog, April 22.
- Joyful News of the Resurrection, ChinaSource Blog, April 19.
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Image credit: Lanterns in Hangzhou by Philip Maes.
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