Stories
For a highly mobile society like the one we live in, we are faced with the constant influx of immigrants to Canada. Never before has the world reached a greater movement of people as we are experiencing in this century. But there’s another movement taking place. It’s the movement of His Spirit. Here are some stories about this movement among ethnic leaders, the people they have impacted and the changed lives they are encountering.
About discovering God
(Hong Kong, July 2010) Tanya Price, who took a team to Hong Kong and Thailand came back with a great story: “Kelvin was a man I talked with after a drama presentation on a busy Hong Kong street. He had sporadically gone to church over the years, but had never made a decision for Christ because, as he said, it was the most important decision of his life & he needed to be sure it was the right one! He said he lacked faith, and so we talked about why Jesus could be trusted. I also shared with him a great tool (a booklet called “Discovering God In Chinese Characters”) and shared how God has made Himself known in so many ways. By the end of our conversation, Kelvin wanted to pray to receive Christ. What a divine appointment, and privilege to be with him in that very moment that he decided to cross the line of faith!”
(Singapore, August 16, 2008) Campus Crusade Mass Media Singapore jointly hosted the first Discovering God in Chinese Characters workshop with Kampong Karpor Methodist Church in the heart of Little India. 230 attended the 3 hour workshop which included playing the DGCC leadership training DVD as well as going through the material in the given handouts and leading a group of 8 into the neighbourhood to share the booklet.
While speaking with several people to ask what their expectations for the workshop were, most of them said they wanted to learn how to share with the Chinese people and demystify the view that Christianity is very much a western religion.
Florence learned that evangelism had a lot to do with listening to where the person is at spiritually. When she and her friend sat down to hear about Sam’s life, hiss religions consisted of following a Tiger god, a god of war, and about 6 others, which he keeps track of via laminated cards in his wallet. It was very interesting to hear all about his faith and how the Tiger god saved his life. Sam spent at least 10 minutes telling us what is important in his life and in his faith.
Florence was particularly attentive when Sam disclosed that he believes Jesus is God too. In fact, Sam knows the entire Gospel. What he didn’t perhaps know is the differences between the religions. Close to half an hour later, Sam said he knows some Chinese since he’s been living in Singapore for many years. They were able to share 4 characters and also how to receive Jesus Christ. Sam declined receiving Jesus that day but he did keep the booklet and was open to being prayed for.
(Singapore, August 2006) Sunwei is from China and has been working in Singapore as a Laboratory Research Assistant for three months. When she was first approached with the booklet, she was interested in the explanations of the characters because this was something she was familiar with! She also confirmed that the breakdown of the characters was what she had been taught in school in China.
There were no surprises until she saw the Bible verses which explained the characters.What was exciting was that she didn’t understand why Chinese is written the way it was written and this was the first time she has encountered them this way. She was quiet throughout the 20 minutes. It turned out to be a remarkable journey of faith when she decided to invite the divine Lamb of God to come into her life. She said her mother is the only Christian in her family. Now there’s two.
(Surrey, BC, Canada- May 2007) When the Discovering God in Chinese character booklet was shared with an ESL group of Taiwanese and Korean students, the 8 students were asked if they would like to accept God’s gift of righteousness that God offers them through Christ. Demi H. from Taiwan verbalized what many others are also saying, “I have studied Chinese since I was in kindergarten. I even took Chinese literature in University but I never saw the connection until today. I’m ready to receive Jesus!” A white missionary didn’t tell her about a Jewish man from Israel who claimed to be God, rather, her own ancestors had left meanings in her own language to tell her to watch out for the Lamb of God who will come and be the ultimate sacrifice for her guilt and sins. She believes Jesus is that Lamb of God that is the only one who can help her be righteous before God.
Over the summer, Demi returned to Taiwan and shared what she had learned with her family.
(USA- January 2008) River is a new PhD student from China who has been studying the Bible with Tom since September. He asked his boss if he could have some time off between Christmas and New Years to attend a conference in Atlanta. “No,” was the response! When they finally got together on Jan. 13 River said, “Christianity seems so unpractical to me; it is quite frustrating but since through our study of John’s gospel it is clear that Jesus is God I believe in Him! Tom asked him why Jesus should allow him into heaven. “Because I haven’t done any really bad things,” he answered.
Then they went through the Discovering God in Chinese characters booklet (a form of the 4 spiritual laws). He covered one-half of the old character for eternal and he said, “That is my name – River!” Then he prayed the prayer inviting Jesus to be his Saviour and Lord!
Tom said “it (DGCC) is the only booklet I use with any international student. The Muslims and Japanese are equally amazed at these ancient truths! I have memorized “Yi” (the Lamb over me) – the only way anyone can be righteous before God!”
(Surrey- October 2008) Laura Caccia is from Mexico. She had met Mary* a year ago at a bus stop outside Johnston Heights Church in Surrey. Mary had been suffering from depression for 7 months and was staying at a shelter when she met Laura. In early October 2008, Mary decided to come and visit the church. Laura ran into her again and this time shared the Gospel with her. Mary indicated her desire to receive Jesus Christ that morning. A few weeks later, Laura and her friend Karl went to visit Mary at the shelter but God had a different appointment for them. Mary was away that day but they met Susan* instead. Susan was holding a messy ball of yarn that needed unravelling. The Holy Spirit prompted Laura and Karl to help her unwind, then rewind it into a neat ball. They offered it back to her and promised a transformation of her life just like the newly rolled up yarn.
“Can God really transform my life?” Susan asked, hope coming back to her eyes. Laura explained the Gospel and Susan prayed to receive Jesus as her personal Saviour. It is with great rejoicing that Laura and Karl can invite Susan and Mary to the Community Meal at Johnston Heights and to help them discover more and experience the abundant life that Jesus offers.
* not their real names
About Experiencing God
(Surrey, BC 17 March 2007) When Florence, an immigrant from Rwanda, decided to host a special outreach dinner party for young African women at her home on International Women’s Day, she wasn’t sure what kind of response to expect. But when 27 guests accepted the invitation, she knew she’d made the right decision.
“It’s not about how you look on the outside,” explained Nadia, a former Muslim who immigrated to Canada as a refugee at 14. “We will all get old and beauty doesn’t last. It’s about finding the One who made you and loves you and makes you complete. Jesus can take all your pain and give you good things instead. He is the friend you need.”
Later in the evening, when a gospel presentation was given, two guests indicated decisions for Jesus. Four days later, Florence was thrilled when two more women accepted Christ.
Overjoyed at the fruit she is seeing, Florence has since decided to start a Bible study where seekers can learn more and new believers can be grounded in their faith.
About Becoming God’s Servant leaders
Intercultural Network believes that God is calling the nations and sending them to the nations. Check on our calendar to see what new Leadership Development courses you can take.
Post-Event News
International Womens’ Day (Langley)
International Womens’ Day (Edmonton, Cloverdale)
The funny thing about crossing cultures… (coming soon)