Arise For This Generation!
To the Christian believers in China and around the world, we are now standing at a delicate yet pivotal turning point in history. While the external political and economic environment brims with tension, the internal spiritual life of the church also experiences weariness and anxiety. The traditional pastoral model of the church is changing, while the younger generation seeks a new vocabulary to express their faith. In this day and age, how can the church continue to press forward in her mission? And what is God doing in our generation?
In this issue of Gospel! Culture! Kingdom! our theme is "Arise!" — we aim to explore God's transformative work in this generation, with a special focus on young leaders, missionaries, college students, and youth. "Arise!" includes six articles:
"Becoming a Healthy Leader": Rev. David Doong candidly shares his story of personal growth, highlighting how God's love transformed his inner life. He testifies to the love and wisdom of God in raising up spiritual leaders for this generation.
"On the Road": A Chinese missionary reflects on his mission journey in Tibet and Cambodia, from facing external challenges to receiving internal spiritual transformation. God is not only raising up cross-cultural mission work in China, but also nurturing believers who can carry out this mission in the end times.
"'Caged' College Students": Campus workers keenly observe the changes among college student communities in post-pandemic China, calling for adaptation to these "seasonal" changes in student ministry.
"The Secret to a Young Church": Drawing from the campus ministry experience of a North American Chinese church, this article shows that, when churches are faithful to God's vision and calling, journeying with the students in all seasons, young people will be willing to commit to the local church and contribute to the vibrancy of church life.
"How Can We Shepherd the New Generation": The author calls parents and youth ministers to let go of the lenses shaped by our specific backgrounds (e.g., cultural, family, etc.), so we can "see" both young people and ourselves from God's eyes in love and in truth, and fix our eyes on Jesus for healing and growth.
"Raising up Future Leaders": Confronting the harsh reality that more young people are leaving the church, the author, an American youth pastor, envisions young people as future spiritual leaders and shares his experience of discipling them through life companionship. He further examines the various challenges in youth ministry and urges churches to reform and pave the way for the rise of the next generation.
Dear readers, we hope that through these articles you may see God's faithful and mighty works amid today's turbulent world. As a result, "Arise" would become a call for you and your church to repent and recommit all aspects of your life to the Lord. The 2024 Lausanne Congress called for the global churches, including the younger generation, to proclaim and manifest Christ jointly. Indeed, let us cry out to the Lord together: "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago." (Isaiah 51:9; ESV)