Beijing closeout and Vancouver here we come!

Our time in Beijing is over, but the eternal results are far from being finalized. We shared the gospel with people from more than 35 nations. Not only did many receive Christ as Savior, but the seeds of the gospel were sown in soil fertilized by the prayers of many.

Our Action Ministries International Sports Chaplains team of 42 presented the gospel thousands of times over the two weeks of our ministry. The spiritual battle was expected, but we know He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.

God led us, used us, and allowed us to witness the power of the gospel to bring salvation to those who believed. As we disperse and return to our homes, we know God has challenged us to be His light in our own Jerusalem just as we were in Beijing.

Please continue to pray for those who received Christ during the Olympics, those who heard the gospel but have yet to repent, and for the hundreds of millions of Chinese to whom God will reveal Himself.

Preparations are now turning toward our next Olympic ministry in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. It begins in just 18 months! Our key need is for the housing of our team. Pray that we would be sensitive to God's guidance as we seek the place He already knows we will stay. Also, it is never too early to begin praying for those that will come to Vancouver for the games, but will hear the greatest story behind the greatest pin at the Olympics!

Thanks again for all of your prayers...

An encounter in Torino leads to someone sharing the gospel in Beijing

Last night a young man spoke to me while I was out in an area looking for opportunities to share the gospel. He looked to be Chinese, but when he called me by name his accent was American. Our team wears identification badges (just our first name) with our picture on it. For him to call me by name wasn’t a surprise, and his unaccented English is not too unusual in an international setting like the Olympics. What really caught me off guard was when he asked, “Do you remember me?”

Well, I told him he looked familiar but I could not say with certainty that I remembered him. He certainly remembered me, and the following story he related to me was tremendous.

At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino I shared the gospel with him using the Jesus pin. He was at those Olympics as a spectator and was out looking to trade some pins. The many pins I had on my hat and jacket attracted his attention. However he was not prepared to hear someone share the gospel with him. He was already a born again believer, but had never considered the Olympics was a place where people would be sharing the gospel

He has a background in amateur sports. Although he no longer plays them, he enjoys keeping up with them – pro and college. He said that I gave him some of our Jesus pins and encouraged him to share the gospel with others as he was out and about in Torino.

After returning home he continued to think about the encounter. As the Beijing Olympics approached he gathered together eight other Chinese-Americans who are believers, contacted another ministry that was bringing folks to Beijing, and is here sharing the gospel! Because of his – and his groups – Chinese background, they have been able to selectively share with Chinese people. After once again seeing the effectiveness of our ministry, he is interested in being part of our team in Vancouver.

What an encouragement it was to me to know how a divine encounter in Torino, Italy led this young man to become involved in sharing his faith with others at the Olympics in Beijing – and he brought eight others with him to do the same thing. We never know how God is going to work through us when we make ourselves available to Him. To God be the glory!

Please continue to pray for us and all those who will hear the gospel during the final days of our time here in Beijing.

God leads at Olympics!

Each Olympics has its own character. This one has been that of order and control. It is evident the Chinese have endeavored to make this a showcase of their culture to the world – at least their culture as they view it. Certainly the architectural innovations used in the “Birds Nest” and the “Bubble” are evidence of their engineering and construction prowess.

However, what is not seen on the television shots is what goes on outside the events. The throngs of security, police, and military arrayed throughout the city are a stark reminder that anything outside the norms of the Chinese culture will not be tolerated…especially unauthorized gatherings.

Part of our past Olympic ministries have included the fact that Olympic pin trading – the buying, selling, and exchanging of collector pins designed by companies and the host city for each Olympics – draws crowds. People literally get caught up in a sort of pin trading frenzy. It is one of the fun sidelights to what is already a unique event. Our use of the Jesus pin has historically taken advantage of the crowds that gather for pin trading.

Pin traders customarily gravitate to the areas where athletes, team members, and spectators go between and after each competition. However, the order and control that is thematic of these Olympic Games precludes the normal gathering of crowds for anything other than each sporting event.

But God is always in control. His desire is that none should perish. As we have sought His guidance, and as many here and around the world have prayed for us, God has now shown us the gathering places of people who, not being able to satisfy their pin trading desires, have turned to another great past time of visitors to China – shopping!

All of those things purchased around the world that are “Made in China” are available here at a fraction of what they cost once exported from China. The large shopping markets have become the natural gathering places.

Our teams are now spreading out around the city and finding many opportunities to share the gospel in these areas. We ask you to continue to pray for those who have yet to hear the greatest story in the world – the story of a God who loves them so much, He sent His Son to die for them.

Thanks for your continued prayers an support, we know your faithful fervent prayers are availing much!

Beijing update - your prayers are needed

The 29th Summer Olympic Games are in full swing here in Beijing. As people from all around the world have converged upon this city, we are here to tell them about something that is more valuable than the gold medals that will be presented to those athletes who win their events. We are here to them how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our challenges have been many. But we understand that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.

We typically do not work with translators because the internationals who travel to the Olympics overwhelming speak English. In many host countries, there are nationals who speak English so we end up sharing with those God brings across our path.

Here in China it is very different. Many Chinese speak English, however religious proselytizing is prohibited. So to purposely go against the government is to risk having our ministry to all of the internationals shut down.

One of our contacts at another countries embassy told us the Chinese government brought in more than 300,000 additional plainclothes security personnel to watch for what they would deem “subversive” activities. There have been a number of times that some of our team has been approached in a most unusual manner by a Chinese national. In fact, it was as if the person was baiting us – trying to get us to share the gospel with them. Well, God has protected us so far and we know that your prayers are part of it.

A high ranking official from the South Korean embassy met a group of our team members as they were out sharing the gospel in one of the event venues. To show his appreciation for what they were doing, he took them to a first class Korean restaurant, paid for their transportation to it, and picked up the entire cost of their seven course meal. But God was in the midst of all that was happening because as the evening wore on, he and his wife had many questions about Christianity.

Being here in Beijing has allowed another of the tragic truths of this country to be seen first hand. During the Olympics many of the factories have closed in order to improve the air quality. Schools are closed as well. This results in many families being out and about. I knew there was something unusual about the families I was seeing. After a couple of days I realized what it was. The families only had one child. The one child policy is a Chinese government mandate. The tragedy that underlies this policy is the millions of unborn lives lost to abortion…both voluntary and forced.

Please continue to pray that the gospel will saturate this land, and that our time here will be all that God wants it to be.

From the 2008 Beijing Olympics, for WorldReach, this is Jerry Haas.

A wrestler, a shot putter, and a high school student

A wrestler from Germany, a shot putter from Bulgaria, the chairman of a country’s Olympic committee, and a high school student from Kentucky…what do they have in common? Each came to Beijing for the Olympic Games, but God in His mercy and grace allowed them to hear the gospel.

It is night time here in Beijing. Some of our team is out in areas of the city sharing the gospel and assessing other locations to see if international visitors are frequenting them. We are seeing God’s divine plan unfolding as He directs us to places where we have plenty of opportunities to share Jesus.

As we prepared this morning, we had to remind ourselves that God knows where each divine appointment awaits us, and it is part of our exciting opportunity to follow His voice as we seek out those whose heart He has prepared.

We are confident that the battle being waged is victoriously moving forward as you petition our loving heavenly Father through your fervent prayers. Please, do not let up! You are reaching across thousands of miles to help bring Light into the darkness…and darkness will never overtake the Light!

From your team in Beijing, we send our heartfelt thanks…

It's Monday in Beijing and it's time to share the gospel

Today was the first full day for our team to hit the streets and begin sharing the gospel. We began with a time of training. We have five teams with six or seven to a team. The team leaders, all Olympic ministry veterans, trained their team to use the Jesus pin as a witnessing tool. In the past we did this as a large group. However, everything about this Olympics is designed to keep people from congregating in large groups – even here at the government owned hostel. So, being flexible, we modified the training regimen and did it in individual rooms.

Another thing that makes these Olympics unique is the lack of a large Olympic Park area where the corporate sponsors locate exhibits and where a large Olympic store exists. This is always a place where the athletes, team officials, athletes’ families and spectators “gravitate”. Pin trading naturally takes place in that type environment, leading to tremendous numbers of witnessing opportunities using the Jesus pin. So the absence of this type set up lessens the number of opportunities. However, we understand that this is all part of the battle being waged for the souls of those who need Jesus.

Please continue praying for hearts to be open to repentance and that we will be faithful to boldly share the gospel each time God arranges one of His divine appointments.

Olympic ministry needs your prayers

I arrived yesterday in Beijing after a 14 hour flight to Tokyo from Atlanta, and another 3 and a half hour flight from Tokyo to Beijing. When you depart the plane in Beijing there is no doubt they are ready to welcome the world to their city for these Olympic Games.

The airport is newly opened, the workers are dressed in Olympic themed outfits, and people from many nations are busy trying to find their way. However, the challenges of ministering in a communist country are still below the surface.

Along with the Jesus pin witnessing tool that we have now used for eight Olympics, we have a small brochure that explains the gospel using the colors on the pin. Many of the internationals at the Olympics speak English, but they are even better able to comprehend written English. As we share the gospel the gospel using the Jesus pin, we follow up by giving them the brochure.

This year, we did not receive word that we could bring these brochures with us until the middle of last week. Tony Webb, at Burman Printing in Watkinsville, Georgia, was able to quickly turn around 5,000 for us to use here in Beijing. I packed all 5,000 in my luggage. As part of the customs screening process, bags are being x-rayed before you can leave the airport. Well, the 5,000 brochures caused concern. This resulted in me being pulled aside to have my bags searched and to be questioned.

It was an excellent opportunity to share the gospel with the customs officials. I showed them how we used the Jesus pin to trade pins with other people at the Olympics and to tell them the unique story behind the pin. I went through the entire gospel presentation, letting them follow along on the written brochure so they could see how it was used.

In fact, once they decided it was okay for me to have the brochures, I left each of the customs officials with the Jesus pin and a brochure. Only God could have given me this opportunity, and kept me and the brochures from being detained.

By the way, as further evidence of the difficulties of ministering in this country, our blog cannot be accessed here. I had to use a workaround to be able to access the page where an update can be posted.

Needless to say, we need your prayers. Just think, you can reach the heart of someone from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, South or Central America, Australia, and even the USA right from your quiet place. Pray that we will not be impeded from sharing the gospel. Pray for our health as our day has been turned upside down from being a full 12 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight time. And please pray for our families that have remained behind as we have come to take the Word to the World at the Beijing Olympics.

Beijing bound!

I am at the Atlanta Airport to begin my journey to the world's greatest sporting event to share the world's greatest story! The Action Ministries Sports Chaplain's will be participating in their eleventh Olympic games - my seventh. We have one focus, to share with all those who God brings across our path the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pin trading is a phenomenon at the Olympics. The pins are distributed by Olympic sponsors, teams, and the host city. Coca-cola sets up a pin trading center where they sell hundreds of pins designed just for these Olympic games, and set aside an area for people to come and trade pins. But pin trading takes place all over the Olympic areas. The common question is, "Do you have any pins to trade?"

Most internationals traveling to the Olympics speak English. This makes it uncommonly easy to share the gospel because we do not have a need for translators. When asked if I have any pins to trade, I respond, "No, but I have one I will give you. It's the greatest pin at the Olympics. There is a story behind it. Would you like to hear it?"

Overwhelmingly, people say, "Yes." Using the colors on the pin - black, red, white, green, and gold - I then share the gospel using each color to represent a spiritual truth. After sharing, I then give the person an opportunity to accept Christ as Savior and Lord.

Well, this will be repeated thousands of times by me and the rest of the 42 person team during the duration of our ministry.

We need your prayers. As with all we do at WorldReach, we understand the under girding of our ministry is prayer. Please pray for the team as we travel from different parts of the US to rendezvous in Beijing. Pray for our boldness as we "hit the streets" and begin sharing the gospel. An pray for all of those who will hear about the Way, the Truth, and the Life - Jesus Christ.

I will be sending regular updates - with pictures - as I am able. Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Going the Extra Mile

The New Testament church was built on personal evangelism and the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. This is clear when you read through the book of Acts, in particular through passages like Acts 11-13. Is this still the model today?

Recently we received word from a new church plant in Sudan that helps answer this question and perhaps is instructive to our churches today. If you could imagine one of the most difficult places on earth to plant a church it might be Sudan. After years of civil war and unrest, the Sudanese are battling the wounds of corruption and war as they seek to rebuild their country out of the ashes. Living in refuge camps has been the lot of many, so the Sudanese are a people with not only great physical needs but spiritual needs as well.

The missions pastor described his recent trip to help plant a church in Sudan as one of the most incredible trips he has ever experienced. He traveled on a total of 5 airplanes, all descending in size and comfort, to get to this area. Personal evangelism through various people had already occurred so that a church would be established in a remote village where he would travel by plane and by foot. Upon his arrival, he discovered a group of near 2000 people ready to dedicate a new church in their village. Following a dedication ceremony 2 hours long, the mission pastor began to preach from God’s Word. Many came to know Jesus Christ as their Savior that day.

Next, the missions pastor began his work to prepare leaders for the church. The leaders consisted of 16 young people from 16 to 27 years old called to serve the church. This group met each day to study God’s Word and learn how to interpret and apply it to their lives. Some of these leaders would return to villages throughout this mountain region to plant new churches. Many had walked up to 8 hours through the mountains to arrive in this village where the teaching would take place! A pastor and missionary from the area would continue teaching this group after the missions pastor returned to the U.S.

This missions pastor returned from this long and tiring trip more inspired than ever about the growth of the church in that area. He even came back without any of his extra clothes and supplies because those precious people needed clothing among other things. He shared that “God is so good to have given us the great joy of strengthening His church.”

Let’s join together in this commitment to the model of the church the Lord has given us and to the efforts we see around us to strengthen His church, whether here or in some far country. This missions pastor has gone the extra mile, these Sudanese leaders even walked 8 hours to study God’s Word—literally going the extra mile.

Consider how God might be calling you to go that extra mile.

More news about church plant in Lima, Peru

Pastor Carlos Baca returned yesterday morning from Lima, Peru. Yesterday afternoon we had an opportunity to sit down and talk about all that God is doing there. The new church plant - a partnership between Prince Avenue Hispanic Baptist Mission and WorldReach - is named Mision Bautista en Peru of Prince Avenue Baptist Church.

You may recall that while he was there the first five new believers were baptized. It is a blessing to know that four more have now accepted Christ and are scheduled for baptism in February 2009.

The church now includes children, students, and adults. By God's grace, it is growing!

Leaders are being trained using the Bible Training Centre for Pastors/Leaders curriculum. Bible studies are being held with non-believers attending. People are sharing their faith and inviting their friends to come to the various ministry activities.

Tim and Joy Mitchell, International Mission Board missionaries living in Lima, are a great encouragement to Brother Jesus and his wife Vicki. This is just one more example of how God is bringing together His people to fill various roles in this new body of believers.

Please continue to pray for Mision Bautista en Peru of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, the local body of believers God has planted in Lima to reach people with the transforming message of the gospel.

Enjoy the picutres, and remember that you can view an enlarged version just by clicking on each one.

More than 430 children attend camp in Romania

Please accept my apologies for not posting these pictures yesterday and giving you an update about the tremendous response of the families in the Jibou area to send their children to the camp. On Thursday there were more than 430 children! Praise the Lord for each one.

Today...more than 70 of the children prayed to receive Christ! We thank the Lord of the harvest for what He has done this week.

Because of the consistent rains throughout the area during the past weeks, a large asphalt court could not be completed. However, it was completed during the afternoon and evening on Wednesday. You will see some of the "water park" games being played on it in the pictures below. Also, a picture of the lower portion of the camp land can be seen where the camp activities have taken place this week.

The team begins their travel home tomorrow. Be sure to continue to pray for all of those who have been impacted by the gospel this past week and for the families that will be contacted as the church in Jibou follows up in the homes.

For a larger image of each picture, just click on it.