Gospel, Computer and Chinese
Andy Su
The Computer technology has recently grown from its
infancy, the simple word processor to become a mass
multi-media giant. Merging with television, telephone
and motion-pictures, the computer has invaded almost
every aspect of our lives beyond our imagination.
In the light of the present computer technology, what is
the Lord’s will for the great commission - preaching
the gospel to all the world, especially for the 1.3 billion
Chinese people ?
The following is what the Lord has revealed to us about
'Chinese Christian Computing' development. We ask
you to join us in prayer and also, Lord willing, to be on
the support team.
1. The Electronic Missionary :
Proclaim the Gospel to 1.3 billion Chinese
After the door to Russia was opened, worker of Campus
Crusade International were astounded to find the
tremendous thirst and hunger for the Gospel among the
Russian people. Even if they were to send thousands of
missionaries over, it still would not fill the enormous
spiritual hunger of the millions of Russian people;
therefore, they began to think to preach the gospel in
the electronic way. First of all, they plan to create an
interactive discipleship training CD-ROM to fill the need
of a teacher shortage. By setting up thousands of PC all
over Russia, these could be the interactive training
centers for many churches and gospel teams.
Instructors could come to many churches from time to
time to answer and improve the results of CDROM.
Secondly, by setting up a Christian Seminary Center in
Internet, students could have access to Christian
resources at home or at church or anywhere network
available. By using E-mail, students could contact the
teacher directly and promptly. Also electronic Christian
conferences are possible on-line at presumed schedule.
What has happened in Russia will happen in China
when the gospel door is flung open. Yes, we will need
millions of missionaries to China for the 1.3 billion
Chinese souls.
We will also need professionals to provide the
electronic Chinese Christian resources to reach every
family in China through television and computer
network.
The Lord is already preparing the groundwork for the
telecommunication environment in China. Before the
year 2000, China will have one of the biggest advanced
telecommunication facilities in the world.
Once the gospel door of China is totally opened, what
can we provide to satisfy the spiritual hunger of the 1.3
billion Chinese souls?
The Chinese Buddhist media has already surpassed
Chinese Christian Media. In Taiwan, there are several
Buddhist Cable TV in operation. If we do not have this
media vision of reaching every family in China, the
Buddhist will undoubtedly utilize their Buddhist
resources into television and Computer media to reach
China.
In light of this eventuality, what action is the Lord’s will
for us to take ?
2. Professional Dedication : Give your utmost to be
an electronic witness for the world’s largest unborn
population
Forty years ago when the Far East Radio Broadcasting
ministry set up their powerful transmitter stations in
Asia, many Christian professionals, such as electronic
engineers, civil engineers and other engineers came
from different nations. They teamed together to set up
the first radio station beamed to China.
Now forty years later, the Chinese Christians have
grown to around sixty millions, the second largest
Christian population in the world. However, there are
still 1.2 billion Chinese lost souls .
With the computer technology merging with television,
we will have better chance than ever to impact the
largest unborn population with the great commission.
We can be electronic witnesses for the Chinese.
Many souls has been converted through a single tract or
one book or one clip of Jesus video. More souls could
be converted through one verse in bible software or one
witness in multimedia CD or one single answer from
Internet E-mail.
The Lord can use any form of gospel media, from the
written paper to any electronic resources to accomplish
his work of salvation.
However, for this to happen requires your spiritual and
professional dedication before many souls receive the
witness and be blessed. The Lord does not call every
Christian to be a preacher, but if you are a professional,
he need your professional skill. Is he calling you ? Will
you follow him in this electronic vision ? We are praying
for you !
3. Pre-evangelism : Chinese Computer Classes
-- opening to door to the Gospel message
As the computer technology becomes more and more
advanced, there is a growing sense of isolation and fear.
The computer has created even a greater generation
gap.
Tien Dao Christian Media has opened two Chinese
computer classes. Many students admit that their
motive for learning the computer skill is to conquer the
isolation its fear. Another motive is to use the computer
to achieve their own goals. This is one of the greatest
opportunities for pre-evangelism.
In our classes, we use the gospel videos, personal
testimonies of Christian speakers, tutors and students
to teach. This gives a good gospel background for
prayer and fellowship. In this way, the non-believer
receives a vivid impression of what is a Christian and
what is the Christian Spirit. Through this understanding,
they become more open to the gospel message.
In Berkeley Christian Gospel Church, this kind of
computer classes have made contact with hundreds of
friends from Mainland China. Through this opening, the
soil was being prepared for the crusade to come. At
Christmas 1993, forty people received Christ in the
crusade . Praise the Lord !
4. Bible Study Software :
Delving into the treasures of God’s word
The Computer Bible Software is the first merger
between Gospel and computer. Tien Dao Christian
Media have distributed 500 copies of Tien Dao Chinese
Bible software to Chinese churches and Chinese
Christian all over the world. For the many Christian
non-computer nerds, this has enabled them to find the
Chinese verses or search the Chinese bible
words/phrase and cut/paste the Chinese bible verses.
Not only has this greatly enhanced their understanding
of Chinese Bible , but it has saved a lot of data entry
time for a more efficient ministry. More over, Chinese
bible commentaries and maps can be link into the
Chinese Bible verses for a more complete bible study.
Even Chinese voice and Chinese video from Jesus
video may be hyper-mediaed into the Chinese Bible
verses. Jesus can come alive from computer as you
study the Chinese Bible. You can experience greater
depth as you use these Chinese Christian resources.
All of above can be a great electronic missionary to any
Chinese Christian or Chinese non-Christian . However
we will need many Chinese Christians devoted to this
vision and make it come true under the will of God.
5. How to join this "Chinese Christian Computing" Ministry ?
First, please pray for the volunteers and co-workers now
at work as called by God. May His will be done on earth
as in heaven. May His kingdom come through every
electronic points.
Second, share the vision with every Christian.
Third, you are welcome to join our Computer for Christ
fellowship. We have at present two teams : Software
Engineer Group and Multimedia Group. We are about to
set up three group : Computer network, Computer Class
and Video for Christ. Every team is a realistic and solid
project and they need your dedication and commitment.
The above are just a little beginning of the Lord’s
Project and Vision. With your prayers and dedication,
more and more of the vision will be revealed by the
Lord. May the Lord Bless You as you join this ministry
and proclaim His holy name to all the world.
Tien Dao Christian Media
10883-B S. Blaney Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014, USA
Tel : 408-446-1668, Fax : 408-446-1892
BBS : 408-446-0239, PM 8:00 - AM 8:00
E-mail : tiendao@netcom.com
FTP : ftp.netcom.com, pub/tiendao
Compuserve : Go CIN67, Chinese Christian Section.