Christmas Greetings! December
2018
We had the privilege of sharing the Good News of His coming with
all people for the 8th year in the Haidian Church. We are very
thankful for the welcome and Gospel-partnership we enjoy with the brothers and
sisters of this church.
Now that we have almost 30 Small Groups in our church, spread
across many of the Universities in our part of the city, December is packed
with Christmas outreaches and parties. Several groups decided to give popcorn
to all the International students in their dorms. Lots of popping and packing!
Then followed by lots of surprised smiles and words of appreciation for their
random kindness in Christ’s name. Who doesn’t need a study break to enjoy some
popcorn…and a Christmas card with some Great News!?
It was our privilege to
enjoy dinner with this small group and their friends. We met in a ‘Halal’ Muslim
restaurant near their campus. We enjoyed a great meal, sang Christmas carols,
exchanged ‘white elephant’ gifts, and Mark was asked to share a brief Gospel
message. Less than 25% of the students pictured above are members of the small
group…so far! You can see that their friends had a lot of fun and are quite
open!
Closed Doors can Open More
Our BICF ZGC Korean
pastor had his visa revoked about a month ago. So, we suddenly had to organize
Pastor John’s (in black coat, wearing a lei from Dayna) farewell/commissioning
and Pastor Steven’s (blue tie, next to John) appointment. God has been preparing
Steven through five years of serving with John.
Pastor John was here to
welcome us to BICF ZGC, serving for over a decade. So, it was hard to say
good-bye. But he continued to be a wonderful example and encouragement in
Christ right to his final benediction. He enthusiastically told us to trust God
who both closes and opens doors in the advance of His Kingdom. Pray for John
and his family in their next steps of service and Steven and family in their
new role.
We
stepped up our game this Thanksgiving. We found a larger venue and a better
menu! Over 200 happy eaters seemed to think it was a good move. Lots of
students brought their seeking friends, pray for them!
Thanks
for praying for our travels to Jinan, China in early November. We had the
privilege meeting with 150 students from 33 cities in China who were chosen to
participate in a Leadership Conference. They lead Small Groups on University
campuses all around the nation, reaching their classmates with the Great News.
Mark was asked to be their Speaker and shared “Lessons on Leadership: Paul’s
Letter to Titus.” We learned together and from one another. Their testimonies
of endurance and obedience were humbling and invigorating. Some groups are now forced
to meet in dormitory stairwells! But they vowed to press on!
Christmas Sunday
We
had our normal 11 am and 6 pm services on December 23. Members worked hard to
present a great program of dance, drama, music, and preaching from Luke 2. The
Advent reading was presented in languages from the Pacific (Samoan, Hawaiian,
and Tongan – with English translation on the PPT screen) and songs were sung in
English, Portuguese, French, and Swahili! Jesus truly is Savior of the whole
world!
After
morning service many of us went to our new favorite all-church lunch spot. Lots
of people were saying the meal even topped Thanksgiving! So, like people all
around the world, we ate too much. But we were well-fueled for stepping back
into the cold for Christmas caroling! And, like last year, we were invited inside
our shopping mall, onto their center stage….!
Our newest ZGC
ministry is called Joshua Training. The title was coined in hope that men and
women will be better equipped for service through the message of the Word and
mentoring in their walk and witness. We feel responsible to take even more
advantage of the opportunity we have to equip student/leaders from around the
world. We want to be more intentional in helping them be ready to serve their
churches, even plant new churches, in the places God will lead them with the
impressive academic credentials they earn here in Beijing. Given the busy schedules of folks in Beijing,
we are trying to find the right balance of how much time to require for this
program. The current schedule is one day a month. Courses are offered all day
on a Saturday or two Sunday afternoons. People can choose what works best. So
far, we have had more than 100 ZGC members taking each of our Joshua classes.
Mark will be part of the teaching team for the January course on “Ecclesiology:
The Church”
We’re blessed to have our son Josiah with us these holidays.
As we wrote, he has left Kazakahstan and has been looking at job opportunities
here in China, and beyond. Thanks for praying for him. We had the best
Christmas dinner right outta Dayna’s kitchen! Several friends came to share! Rejoice!
Emmanuel has come!
Christ is Here, Christ will Come Again! and Happy New Year! Mark and Dayna Blair
Our Mission Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Dr -
Orlando, FL 32832 USA
Checks
to ‘Pioneers’ – with attached note: ‘Mark and Dayna Blair, Beijing.’
(Our Account # is 110565, Mark and Dayna Blair)
