China

Chinese church under Communism

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After Mao’s Cultural Revolution in 1966, it was feared that the Christian church in that country would be exterminated. The oppressive policies of the Cultural Revolution remained in effect until 1976, the year Mao died. In 1979 churches were allowed to gradually reopen. Surprisingly it was discovered that during the decade of persecution the number of Chinese Christians had actually grown. This was because small, secret gatherings had taken place in homes around the country. Group fellowship had built a special bond between believers and strengthened their commitment. Sadly, the Chinese church continues to face oppression and persecution to this day under the current Communist regime.

Impact: It’s not known exactly how many Chinese are Christian. What is certain is that opposition from the government remains high. Yet, regardless of whether the repression is brutal or passive, Chinese believers continue to bravely live out their faith.

Taylor, James Hudson

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James Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was born in Yorkshire, England. He went to China in 1854, after studying medicine and theology, to become a missionary with the China Evangelization Society. He adopted the then unique custom of wearing only Chinese clothing so as to assimilate better into the local culture. In 1860 he returned to England to begin translating the New Testament into the Ningpo dialect. After completing this project in 1866, he returned to China with his wife, children, and a group of other missionaries as founding members of the newly formed China Inland Mission (CIM). By the time of his death there were more than 200 CIM stations throughout China. His belief that missionaries should dress and live like the people they are trying to reach continues to influence mission efforts to this day.

Morrison, Robert

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Robert Morrison (1782-1834) was the first Protestant missionary to China. He began studying Chinese along with theology and medicine as a student in Northumbria, England. In 1807 the London Missionary Society sent him to Canton, China. He spent his early years on the mission field in near seclusion as he attempted to master the language. His proficiency grew to the point that he became an interpreter for the British East India Company. He worked on a number of printed translations including a collection of hymns, prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, and, eventually, a translation of the entire Bible – a mammoth project he completed in 1823. He went to England for a short time in 1824 but returned to China within two years where he spent the remainder of his life. He saw very few converts during his lifetime but his translation work and the establishment of a mission school laid a solid foundation for the missionaries who followed him.

Goforth, Jonathan

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Jonathan Goforth (1859-1936) was a Canadian Presbyterian missionary. He studied at Knox College near his home in Western Ontario. While in school he began working among the inner-city poor. After graduation, he married Florence Bell-Smith and the two went to Honan, China, near the East China Sea, as missionaries. They later settled in Changteh in central China. Goforth’s unique approach was to evangelize the educated and upper classes as well as the poor. Sadly their work in Changteh was cut short during the Boxer rebellion of 1900, an effort by Chinese nationalists to rid the country of Christian missionaries by murdering them and destroying their churches. The Goforth’s barely escaped with their lives. For a time they worked in safer regions of China and eventually were able to return to Changteh, where their efforts resulted in a regional revival. Goforth spent the last two years of his life traveling around Canada preaching and promoting the cause of missions. He remained in China after the Boxer uprising, unlike many missionaries, and was able to plant about 50 native evangelists in local churches.

Aylward, Gladys

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Gladys Aylward (1902-1970) was a London parlor maid whose application to become a missionary to China was rejected by her local mission board. Despite this rejection, she saved her money and paid her own way in 1932. Along with another woman, Jeannie Lawson, she opened an inn where she taught the Bible and shared the Gospel. In 1940, during the Japanese invasion of China, she led 100 children to safety during a heroic journey through a mountain passage. She nearly died from the experience. In 1953 she opened an orphanage in Taiwan. She didn’t allow the barriers thrown up by others to keep her from the ministry she knew God had called her to.