In 1997…ChinaSource began as a collaborative effort of several North American evangelical entities. Recognizing the growing importance of China on the world scene, these organizations came together to create a clearinghouse of information and relationships serving the global community. (From the History section of the ChinaSource website.)
From its founding, the ministry of ChinaSource has been led by a strong sense of the Holy Spirit and a keen observation of opportunities to serve God’s people. It is this grounding ethos that has sustained our work over the years and positioned ChinaSource to keep in step with the ever-changing church in China.
Twenty-six years later, as we continue to witness praiseworthy growth among our Chinese brothers and sisters, even amidst hardship and struggle, we return to our starting stance—asking where the Spirit is leading, and how we can best serve.
This is not just the ethos of an organization, it is the lifeblood of each beloved team member that has generously committed themselves to the ChinaSource journey, beginning with our founder, Dr. Brent Fulton, and many close founding friends.
Bittersweet Announcement
It is with a bittersweet sentiment that I announce Narci Herr, our Content Manager, sister, and friend, will be retiring at the end of August. Over the years, Narci has poured her heart into her work and so much of ChinaSource’s impact has been the result of her unwavering commitment. When Narci joined ChinaSource in 2012, she felt the Spirit was leading her to us and she asked how she could serve. While we are sad to see her go, we are rejoicing, knowing that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will continue to lead her. We are certain that she will continue to serve with the same diligence and sacrifice that she has blessed ChinaSource with over the years.
As Narci embarks on her next season, we at ChinaSource are also looking ahead, seeking to follow where our Lord is leading and where we can best serve. We believe the mission we have been called to is as relevant now as it was in 1997, and, as the world continues to change, we will earnestly seek our Father’s direction for how to adapt to best meet the needs of those who count on us. We are looking at exciting new opportunities to connect with missional Christ followers from across the globe, who are interested in praying for and serving alongside the church in China and the diaspora. We will also intensify efforts and multiply channels for featuring the voices of the Chinese church, so we can learn and grow together.
A Great Time to Join Us
To ensure we are well equipped to embark on the coming season (and that we don’t miss a beat!), we are looking for a Content Manager to join our team this summer. More details can be found here. This is a great time to join us. As ChinaSource endeavors to keep in step with ongoing changes in China, we are exploring different ways to reach an even broader audience, with the goal to better encourage the brothers and sisters in the Chinese diaspora, while supporting in-country ministries and mainland Christians. If you or someone you know would be suitable for this position, please contact hr@chinasource.org.
Do pray along with us. Pray that the Lord would bring the right person, someone who is sensing the leading of God’s Spirit and asking how they can serve. Pray also that, as ChinaSource moves ahead, we would never lose the sensitivity and obedience that we had at the start.
Kerry Schottelkorb
President
News and Notes
ChinaSource Quarterly, 2023 Summer Issue
The Pentecostal Church in China, guest editor Robert Menzies
Our guest editor, Dr. Robert Menzies, sets out the purpose of the issue in this way:
This issue of the ChinaSource Quarterly (CSQ) seeks to illuminate the origins, characteristics, and continuing influence of Pentecostal churches in China. While the contributors to this issue have studied widely and taught in a variety of academic institutions, they were asked to contribute to this issue because they are practicing Pentecostals and have ministered broadly in Pentecostal and charismatic churches in China. The contributors are not simply academicians who in a detached manner (and from a distance!) study about Pentecostals; rather, they are Pentecostal practitioners who have made significant contributions to the Pentecostal movement in China.
Take a deep dive into the history and influence of the Pentecostal movement in The Pentecostal Church in China.
Webinar Recording
WeChatting to the Glory of God: Serving China Through Digital Engagement
We are pleased to announce that the recording of our May 31 webinar is available on our YouTube channel.
We invited four speakers who have extensive knowledge and experience in this burgeoning field, all of whom are involved in developing innovative digital engagement strategies. Each one presented their work and resources, as well as tips on how to use digital engagement to minister to your Chinese friends. Following the presentations, there was time for questions.
ChinaSource Team News
- On July 11, Joann Pittman did an online workshop for the Association of Christian Ministries to Internationals (ACMI) virtual conference. The title was “China and Global Events: Beyond the Headlines.”
- June 2–3 Brent Fulton gave lectures on Chinese Religious Policy and US-China Relations as part of the Chinese Worldview Seminar sponsored by China Academic Consortium.
- Brent Fulton spoke at the Home of Christ 6 church retreat in Felton, CA May 26–28.
- Kerry Schottelkorb and Brent Fulton spoke at Faith Community Church in Santa Clarita, CA on May 21.
Ways to Pray
From the ChinaSource Team
- Praise the Lord with us for Dr. Robert Menzies and the contributors to the summer issue of the ChinaSource Quarterly, “The Pentecostal Church in China.” As Dr. Menzies points out in “Learning from the Larger Story,” we are at our best in the Christian community when we are serving and learning together.
- Praise God for Jolene Kinser’s series “Peacemaking in China.“ Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts not only to confession, but the timely apology, as he leads.
- Pray for Narci Herr as she leaves ChinaSource on August 31 after 10 years working on ChinaSource content. Pray that God will guide and bless Narci as she follows him in the days ahead.
- Pray for God’s timely provision of the next Content Manager for ChinaSource. Pray that we will continue the legacy Narci has left us—the pursuit of clear, accurate, living stories about God’s church in China, while featuring the voices of our mainland and diaspora Chinese sisters and brothers in the telling.
From the 2023 Summer Issue of ChinaSource Quarterly
- Pray that, as Pentecostal practices and beliefs are evidenced in China today, many Chinese will continue to be drawn into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Ask God to grant wisdom and perseverance for churches as they reach out to others with the gospel through the Back to Jerusalem and Mission China 2030 movements.
- Pray for Chinese believers experiencing persecution because of their love and ministry for Christ.
- Ask the Lord that those who translate the Scriptures and those who teach them will, as far as possible, do so without bias.
- Pray for unity within the body of Christ in China and among the body of Christ globally.
In Case You Missed It
A selection of recently published items:
- Summer 2023 Reading List from ChinaSource, ChinaSource Blog, June 19.
- Webinar Video: WeChatting to the Glory of God, ChinaSource Blog, June 16.
- The Impact of a Gospel-Centered Life, ChinaSource Blog, June 14.
- Barriers to Apologizing, Part 1, ChinaSource Blog, June 12.
- Should We Still Consider China?, ChinaSource Blog, June 09.
- A New Wave of Immigration from China to the US, ChinaSource Blog, June 07.
- Getting to Know China’s Pentecostal Churches, ChinaSource Blog, June 05.
- 3 Questions: Chinese through Scripture, ChinaSource Blog, June 02.
- Expecting Great Things from God, ChinaSource Blog, May 31.
- 7 Women Who Braved a Chaotic China, ChinaSource Blog, May 29.
- 《亲子共成长》Growing through Parenting, ChinaSource Blog, May 26.
- Beyond the Golden Era, ChinaSource Blog, May 24.
- Loneliness in the World, Unity in Solitude, ChinaSource Blog, May 22.
- Chinese Christianity and the Missio Dei, ChinaSource Blog, May 19.
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