It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things (1 Peter 1:12).
Henrietta Mears, in her classic book, What the Bible is All About, wrote, “There is a blood red theme running throughout the Old and New Testaments; God reconciling humankind to himself through Jesus Christ.” Throughout, God provides us with specific glimpses of how the gospel of grace was revealed. In 1 Peter 1:10-11, Peter told his readers that the prophets of the Old Testament had provided details about the salvation to come by his grace. They wrote about the savior who would suffer, be crucified, and then be glorified. As they intently sought to know “the time and circumstances” of the Messiah’s arrival, it was revealed to them that what they prophesied and wrote under the Spirit’s inspiration would more fully serve, not the prophets themselves, but future generations.
We see this again in Hebrews 11, the “faith in action” chapter where the ancients are commended for their active faith, yet the fullness of the gospel through the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of the Good News through the apostles, by way of the Holy Spirit, had not yet arrived; so “none of them received what had been promised” (Hebrews 11:40).
Many Longed to See More
In revealing the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom, Jesus said, “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it” (Matthew 13:16-17).
Peter told his readers that the prophets were serving them so that, in the fullness of God’s time, those who would preach the gospel by the Holy Spirit would reveal the full mysteries of the gospel. We are eternally blessed and privileged to live in a time when the full mystery of Christ has been revealed.
The Prophets and Righteous Are Still Among Us
We are still quickened and encouraged by the prophets and righteous who continue to serve among us and long to see more. In the February 17 blog entry by Danny Naidoo entitled “Pastor Hsi’s Legacy: An Interpretive Commentary from South Africa,” he responds to the ChinaSource series “Pastor Hsi—Conqueror of Demons” with humility and gratitude for the way Pastor Hsi (Xi Shengmo), ordained by Hudson Taylor in 1887 as the first pastor ordained by the China Inland Mission, and the first hymn composer in China, “has deeply inspired me, reminding me of the timeless truths of God’s calling and the cost of discipleship.” He further writes, “Pastor Hsi’s example challenges us to return to the heart of the Great Commission prioritizing prayer, evangelism, and discipleship as central to our mission.”
Celebrating the Life of Rudolf Yue-Pui Mak
Recently, on February 15, a gathering of family, close friends, local church and global ministry colleagues met together to worship our Lord and celebrate the life of Rudolf Mak. Rudolf was a kingdom visionary who had the heart of the Lion of Judah, could gauge which way the Holy Spirit was moving, and was passionate about following him and bringing others along for the glorious ride (see “A Story Well Lived,” Brent Fulton, December 30, 2024). In remembering Rudolf, Brent wrote, “His vision and unstoppable determination to seek the expansion of Christ’s kingdom in China were instrumental in shaping ChinaSource into the organization it is today.”
One of Rudolf’s co-workers in China put it this way: “He believed that the Great Commission could not be accomplished by one church, one organization, or even one country, and he was committed to helping the churches in China to partner with the body of Christ in other countries to advance the gospel together. With this in mind, he hoped that by bringing people together, getting to know each other, and building trust, different opportunities for collaboration would eventually be birthed.”
In so believing and in so doing, Rudolf has left us a mighty legacy; one which continues to grow and multiply. And, having served his Lord with a hunger for more, like the ancient righteous and prophets, his service will continue from generation to generation.
Lessons to be Learned
In referencing the value and need for a space where legacy stories about people like Pastor Hsi (and may I add Rudolf Mak?) can be shared and celebrated, Danny Naidoo wrote, “You are not only honoring the past but also inspiring the present and future generations of believers.” May it be so.
Kerry Schottelkorb
President
News and Notes
ChinaSource Opportunity: Vice President of Operations
ChinaSource is growing! We are looking for a Vice President of Operations. Please visit our Opportunities page to get more details about the position and see how to apply.
In-Person Lecture
China’s Earliest Christians: Who Were They and What Can We Learn from Them?
We are excited to announce that we have invited Dr. Thompson to the Twin Cities on March 20, 2025 to deliver a public lecture, titled “China’s Earliest Christians: Who Were They and What Can We Learn from Them? ”
According to Dr. Thompson, the Jingjiao story is one of faithful mission presence and preaching, of outreach while under government supervision, of attempts to enculturate the gospel into Chinese culture and society while maintaining biblical truth—a story that can inform and inspire the work of the modern Chinese church.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: Refreshments at 6:15 PM | Lecture at 7:00 PM
Venue: Nazareth Chapel, University of Northwestern-St. Paul
Address: 3003 North Snelling Avenue, Roseville, MN 55113
This event is free and open to the public. An RSVP is NOT required, but we would be grateful if you do as it will help us plan for refreshments. Feel free to bring others as well, and to share this link with anyone who might be interested.
ChinaSource Team News
- On February 3 and 17, Joann Pittman taught the first two modules of her short course, “The Church in China: Beyond the Headlines” for Anselm House in Minneapolis, MN.
- On February 8, Joann Pittman spoke at a Chinese New Year Celebration event for The Hospitality Center in Minneapolis, MN.
- On February 9, Brent Fulton and Andrea Lee spoke at First Baptist Chinese Church of Walnut, CA.
- Brent Fulton’s post, “More than Conquerors,” was featured in the weekly deomai prayer guide published by Justin Long. It was also reprinted by China Christian Daily.
Ways to Pray
From the ChinaSource Team
Praise
- Praise the Lord that ChinaSource now has a Prayer Resources page on our website, providing resources that can be used by individuals, small groups, and churches, to continue in steadfast prayer for China. May these resources inspire many to lift up the Chinese church in faith, hope, and love!
- Praise the Lord for the eternal legacies of Pastor Hsi (Xi Shengmo) and Rudolf Yue-Pui Mak.
Prayer
- Throughout February, ChinaSource is interviewing candidates for our new Vice President of Operations position. Please pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, and favor, that his choice for the position will be confirmed.
- Please pray that the Holy Spirit will bless his church with “creativity, beauty and faith.” See “Creativity and Faith—A Chinese American Perspective” by Bryan Ye-Cheung, February 14, 2025.
In Case You Missed It
A selection of recently published items:
- Breaking Hell, ChinaSource Blog, February 18.
- Pastor Hsi’s Legacy: An Interpretive Commentary from South Africa, ChinaSource Blog, February 17.
- Creativity, Beauty, and Faith—A Chinese-American Perspective, ChinaSource Blog, February 14.
- ZGBriefs, February 13.
- Searching for the Light of Life—Reflections on the Lantern Festival, ChinaSource Blog, February 11.
- Pure Joy, Oh My, ChinaSource Blog, February 10.
- Returning with Purpose: Living Out Faith in the Everyday World, ChinaSource Blog, February 7.
- ZGBriefs, February 6.
- Why Should Chinese Philanthropy Practitioners Read “Corporate Philanthropy in China and Beyond”?, ChinaSource Blog, February 4.
- Seeking the Good in DeepSeek, ChinaSource Blog, February 3. Reprinted by Christian Daily International.
- More than Conquerors, ChinaSource Blog, January 31.
- ZGBriefs, January 30.
- Slithering Into the Year of the Snake, ChinaSource Blog, January 28.
- Snake in the Chinese Culture and Serpent in the Bible, ChinaSource Blog, January 27.
- ZGBriefs, January 23.
- John C. H. Wu on the Incarnation of the Word of God, ChinaSource Blog, January 21.
- Praying for China | Prayercast, ChinaSource Blog, January 20.
- A Time to Pray, ChinaSource Blog, January 17.
- ZGBriefs, January 16.
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