Reaching Chinese Hearts in a Changing World
“The Chinese people desperately need to hear the good news about your Son, Jesus,” said Kurt Selles, director of ReFrame Ministries, as he prayed to begin the March 5 Direct Connect event with ReFrame's Chinese ministry leader, Jerry An. “Thank you for the work of Jerry An and his team. . . . and we ask that your Spirit move among us.”
An’s Reflections on China
An began by acknowledging the unique timing of the event, which coincided with the Chinese National People's Congress, an important political event in China. He highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chinese economy and its society, noting a pervasive sense of quietness and changes in consumer behavior. More of his reflections from his recent visit are available here.
The economic downturn was a central theme of An's presentation, with significant implications for the lives of ordinary people. He discussed challenges faced by churches, such as declining attendance and giving amid economic uncertainty. However, An also noted opportunities for reflection and spiritual growth, particularly among the younger generation of believers and church leaders.
Publishing Ministry
An highlighted the ReFrame ministry's efforts to contextualize their work to serve the needs he witnessed while visiting China, and he said he regularly hears from pastors who live there. In the past year, the ministry has published 10 books that have reached more than 10,000 people through ebook downloads alone.
Some of the recently published book titles include Under Heaven: Reframing My Worldview as a Chinese Christian and Here We Stand: Reflections on the Future of the Chinese House Church.
“I think you can tell what our publishing ministry is all about by [reading] the titles,” An said.
Most recently the Chinese ministry published a devotional guide on church holidays and traditional Chinese holidays.
In the entry for Ash Wednesday, for example, the devotional guide asks, “What religion would have its followers demean themselves by admitting out loud that they are dust, wind, and grass [without God]? Yet the church liturgy places a cross on our forehead with ashes. And what religion in the world has a God so great as to dare to identify with the dusty people of the earth—and even to become one of us?”
New Media Video Series
An also emphasized the use of new media platforms for outreach, including webinars, podcasts, and short videos. A new video series for 2024 features 13 four-minute videos that teach Chinese speakers how to use new media for ministry. Along with Chinese social media pages, the videos are available with English subtitles on YouTube.
The presentation concluded with a video greeting from a member of the Chinese ministry team, highlighting the growth and impact of their work despite challenges.
“Looking back on this past year really reminds us of our overarching vision to be a pioneer and think tank for God’s kingdom,” the partner in the video shared. “It seems God is continually creating a new identity in us.”
ReFrame’s next Direct Connect event will take place on April 29 at 1:00 p.m. (EDT). An and several other ministry leaders will be together at Calvin University for a time of collaboration and retreat, and they are excited to offer a few updates on how God is working around the world with you. Sign up for the event here.
