Complete Unity
Since its founding over twenty-five years ago, a foundational ChinaSource conviction has been that, in conjunction with the Great Commission, Christ’s prayer in John 17 would be answered in full. “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23 NIV).
We have experienced the blessed reality that a primary and fruitful way of promoting genuine unity in Christ is through praying together. Time after time, we have witnessed the body of Christ function as one, by way of worship and prayer. We also understand that an essential element our God has always used to call forth, build, and renew the next generation of leaders, whether in China or globally, is prayer; worshipping, waiting, listening, petitioning, planning, following, together, in prayer.
For well over a year and a half now a few of us from ChinaSource have had the privilege of joining with many pastors and leaders of Chinese churches up and down the California coast, for monthly virtual prayer meetings together. We have been led by Pastor John Lai, founder and director of United Prayer Training Center, and more recently, by Pastor Victor Quon. Our times together have centered around prayerfully involving the youth of our churches, whether Millennials, Gen Z, or Gen Alpha.
Pray24—God Pods
Our Heavenly Father has led us to the development of a prayer model called God Pods, which will be the focus of Pray24. Victor Quon writes, God Pods involve “an act of listening prayer, similar to the practice of lectio divina. The important distinguishing factor is that God Pods happen in the context of a Christian community, which happens to be a very important trademark of GenZ and Gen Alpha.” I encourage you to learn more about God Pods and why we believe this prayer model will be used by the Holy Spirit to bring young people together and mobilize them for his kingdom advance through informed, listening prayer in a small community of people they can trust. Please visit the All Nations All People English newsletter online and read Victor’s article entitled, “Vision: Looking Forward to Pray24.”
Pray24—God Pods Training Dates and Places
Pray24 God Pods Training will begin on August 24 and continue on September 14. In the days ahead we will pass along a video with more information, as well as details about how you can connect virtually to the training. Also, if you live in the San Francisco Bay or Los Angeles areas please feel free to attend any one of the following training locations. The San Diego and Seattle areas will be up and running soon. While everyone is invited to Pray24 and the God Pods Training, please invite your student and young adult leaders to come and bring their friends along. We guarantee they will be trained together in a close-knit community!
August 24
Bay Area Chinese Bible Church, 9am–12 noon
1801 North Loop Road, Alameda, CA 94502
Mountain View Chinese Christian Church, 1–4pm
175 E. Dana Street, Mountain View, CA 94041
Chinese Evangelical Free Church of Los Angeles, 2–5pm
1111 S. Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754
(for College Campus Ministries)
September 14
Los Angeles Chinese Alliance Church, 2–5pm
320 Cypress Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91801
Kerry Schottelkorb
President
Ways to Pray
- Thank God for Pray 24 and the God Pods training coming soon in August and September. More information to come.
- Thank God for how immigrants from China, along with their welcoming churches, are serving together to meet real-time needs. Read “Hong Kong Immigrants and UK Churches Are Working Together.”
- Praise God that there are still opportunities to serve in China. See Joann Pittman’s ChinaSource Blog post, “Five Observations from a Week in China.”
- “Please pray that the youth in China can have the one true hope and strength and that the Chinese GenZ can find their true meaning and identity,” Sydney Holliday exhorts us in “Chinese Upbringing and US Culture: A Third Culture Kid Bridges East and West.”
- Pray that as Chinese Christians read their Bibles, the Holy Spirit will illuminate divine revelation, bring life transformation, and a deeper communion with God. Please see ChinaSource Blog post “The Last Mile: Navigating the Challenges of Chinese Bible Engagement” by Lydia Law.
News and Notes
ChinaSource Opportunity: Content Publishing Intern
Are you passionate about creating and sharing engaging content? Do you have a strong attention to detail and an eye for aesthetics? Do you want to see Christians inside and outside China advancing the kingdom of God through responsible and balanced dissemination of information? Then you would enjoy working in this area of ChinaSource. We are seeking a motivated and creative individual to join our team as a Content Publishing Intern.
Click here to read more.
In Case You Missed It
A selection of recently published items:
- How Hong Kong Immigrants and UK Churches Are Working Together, ChinaSource Blog, July 16.
- Five Observations from a Week in China, ChinaSource Blog, July 15.
- The Last Mile, ChinaSource Blog, July 12.
- ZGBriefs, July 11.
- Chinese Upbringing and US Culture, ChinaSource Blog, July 10.
- Resilience and Renewal, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), July 9.
- God Is on the Move, Part 1, ChinaSource Blog, July 8.
- Home Is the Bridge to Our Hearts, ChinaSource Blog, July 5.
- ZGBriefs, July 4.
- Lighting the Future: A Candle in the Dark, Part 2, ChinaSource Blog, July 3.
- The Appeal of the Pentecostal Movement in Hong Kong, ChinaSource Blog, July 2.
- An Alternative to Being Marginalized, ChinaSource Blog, July 1.
- Creating a Truly Chinese Church, ChinaSource Blog, June 28.
- ZGBriefs, June 27.
- Collective Misunderstanding, ChinaSource Blog, June 26.
- The Predicament of Young Pastors in Contemporary China, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), June 25.
- Crossing Cultures: Conveying the Gospel, ChinaSource Blog, June 24.
- A Cautionary Tale: Reacting to Rumors That China Alters the Bible, ChinaSource Blog (CCV), June 21.
- ZGBriefs, June 20.
Image credit: Chris Zhang via UnSplash.
Are you enjoying a cup of good coffee or fragrant tea while reading the latest ChinaSource post? Consider donating the cost of that “cuppa” to support our content so we can continue to serve you with the latest on Christianity in China.