Holy Week

Greetings from Beijing in the Name of our Savior,

Last night we had a wonderful Good Friday service and we are eagerly anticipating our and Easter services in the Beijing International Christian Fellowship. A sister serving Him in Kazakhstan sent this great reminder: “Jesus died to pay for our sins. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s affirmation that He got the check and it cleared the bank!”

What a privilege to declare His saving grace – ours because He died and rose! – in the capital of the world’s most populous nation! More than 50 people will be baptized in the BICF this Easter, 14 of them in our ZGC location.

Dayna just came from being with “The Islanders” for their Easter camp about one hour north of the city. About 25 students from Samoa, Tonga, Palau, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji joined with a Worship Leader from the Philippines and a Bible Teacher from England. More than half of the ‘campers’ are not regulars in our BICF Pacific Fellowship; and nine of them came forward to receive the Lord. Pray with us that they will walk with our Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus. Some of them joined Dayna for baking goodies that were sold to raise funds for their camp…..

New Testament Survey

During three weekends of March Mark was able to teach a New Testament Survey course for our BICF Seminary program. Almost 20 came from USA, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, China, and Ghana. Praise the Lord that so many from around the world are here to can grow deeper in their knowledge of the Word during their sojourn in Beijing.  

 

Bigger than our Boxes!

What narrative works to define the Church in China? How can we understand God’s growing family amidst this nation of 1.3 billion people? Many still call it a ‘persecuted’ church. There are difficulties, some are imprisoned, a number suffer indignities and restrictions. But given the massive size of the Church in China the few cases of present persecution are a very small percentage. Perhaps even smaller than in nations that claim to be ‘free.’ We are amazed how freely the Word of God is moving across China. Others call it a ‘needy’ church – think images of peasants, empty rice bowls, and poverty.  There are many poor in China, though not many destitute. Last week Dayna and I joined many well-dressed Chinese in a Starbuck’s coffee right near glitzy showrooms for Rolls Royce and Bentley’s. On the other hand, some call it a ‘missionary’ church. They are on the move – some are taking Good News from here to Jerusalem. But most Chinese Christians are trying to come to grips with what following Jesus means right where they live. Others optimistically already call China a ‘Christian nation.’ Not yet! Yes, there are probably more Christians here than in any other nation. But the enormous population dwarfs the size of the church to single digit percentage. In a land this massive, just about any narrative you employ will carry some truth. Like wading in a pond, you will hit some cold spots, then warm spots – temps can change with every step. Thanks to our Risen Lord Jesus His Church in China grows rapidly every day, and will keep growing from strength to strength.

Heading West

We travel out of China Easter Monday. First to Kazakhstan. We are eager to see our son Josiah and granddaughter Maylee. (It has been two years since we have seen her!!). Mark will lead a pastor’s conference there and preach in a church

pastored by a former student. Then to Abu Dhabi for a couple days with friends in a large International church there. We look forward to enjoying their worship (on Friday) there. Then on to Kuwait where we will participate in the Missional International Church Network meetings. Then on to we will play tourist in Jordan and Israel before heading back to China. We are very thankful for this opportunity to visit friends and see what the Lord is doing in these diverse lands. Pray that we will be refreshed and be an encouragement to His people.

Jehovah Jireh!

We praise the Lord who has met our every need in missionary service. Thirty years ago, 1983, we set out as a young childless couple for Africa! But we do want you to know our support levels are down – by about $1000 a month. “Why don’t you get a salary from the BICF?” Good question! They do give a monthly stipend that pays our apartment rental. And they are paying for our upcoming conference travels. Sunday offerings from our congregation of mostly students cover the meeting venue rental, salaries for our Administrator and receptionist. If you need more information about our work or finances we are open for any questions. We’re humbled to be stewards of His Gospel and your resources for His service here.

We pray that this will be a wonderful Easter for you and your family.

Yours in Him who Lives! Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Mission

Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org

(Support checks should be made out to ‘Pioneers’ – with a separate note on the check saying: ‘Mark and Dayna Blair, Beijing.’ Some have asked, and you can send funds through electronic transfers too: http://www.pioneers.org/Give/AutomatedGiving.aspx  )

Our Email  blairstan2@gmail.com   or  blairstan@psmail.net  (secure)

Our Blog   www.blairstan.blogspot.com

Skype                   blairstan

Our Mailing Address

Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun                                Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,                                                                  2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190

Our Ministry

Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org

Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service