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

Still Breathing in Beijing

Happy 2013 from Beijing!

We made history here last week that we’d rather not have made. The worst smog! It was the ‘perfect storm’ or really ‘perfect soup’ – a mix of exhaust from Beijing’s 5 million cars, coal burning for heat during this coldest Beijing winter in 30 years, factory emissions, dust from constant construction (Beijing city limits exceed the size of Connecticut), and a thick blanket of fog. Perfecto!  So on the chart where 500 is  ‘death by breathing’ we reached 800! Right now it’s down to 166, just ‘Unhealthy’! That’s a good day here. Is there anything good about this recent catastrophe? Yes!

When the U.S. Embassy here in Beijing began issuing daily air quality reports in 2007 the insulted Chinese government cried “Foul” at this embarrassing meddling in their affairs. The Americans countered that since they were assigned to live here it was their business too and offered the information on the web for their citizens. As Chinese netizens found this shocking site diplomatic hostility grew. But now, China is leading the way in issuing the bad air news. Monitors are in every major city. Health warnings are sounded on bad days. And factories are closed in times of crisis. This recent ‘soup’ choked many millions in dozens of China’s eastern cities. It could be seen from space! As people who live here and love the people, we’re glad their government has set their sights on the massive task of cleaning their air.

The leaders here are finding it ever harder to be God. Since they say there is no God, someone has to make the world spin here. And it is a big job! Sometimes they ‘make it rain’ and then ask citizens to hail them for the clean air. So who can we send this soup back to? Bottom line, as in all things in life, this is a chance to advance the Gospel. As millions are afraid of even breathing, zealous Chinese Christian seize the chance to tell what happens when we stop breathing. Even better, to declare Him who gives us breath – now, abundant, and eternal – Jesus Christ.

It was a Merry Christmas here….

Thanks for praying for the International Christmas concert the various congregations of our Beijing International Christian Fellowship presented. More than 1200 people heard the gospel in songs, skits, and preached in English, Mandarin, Russian, Korean, and Hawaiian!

Dayna joined in song and dance with our Pacific Fellowship.  And I was able to preach the Gospel and have it translated into Mandarin.

It is thrilling to see the child-like wonder so many have here have about the message of Christmas. God came into the world as a helpless babe --- really!!?? Decades of schooling in atheism makes many scoff at such an absurd notion. But the evident emptiness of that atheism has made many hopefully wonder if it just might be true.

We also had the joy of having our son Josiah (on right) here with us from Kazakhstan for Christmas.

Our son Nathan and Heather (on left) are expecting their first child in the late summer! Unfortunately our youngest son, Aaron, was not with us.

Nathan and Heather have now lived in Beijing for over one year. Both of them have good jobs in their field of interest. Heather teaches Biology in a Chinese High School (in English) and Nathan does product design in a Chinese firm. They’re learning Mandarin as they share with their Chinese colleagues. They have been stretched through their adventures here. It has been great to have them in our church and enjoying their new Christian community here.

Looking to Spring

February 10 is Lunar New Year, the beginning of “Spring Festival” here. Kind of a strange name considering it is still freezing cold! During this holiday hundreds of millions of people in this most populous nation will travel to their home town. We will stay right here. As millions in Beijing are not from here, the city becomes significantly less busy. Hundreds of millions trek to their homelands.  This is also a wonderful “Gospel Migration” too. Trains cars are squeezed beyond capacity. “Standing” tickets are even sold! There are many “bullet trains” where people ride in speedy comfort. But most ride standard trains that can take more than 24 hours to reach their distant homeland (China is roughly the size of the USA). Millions of faith-sharing Chinese Christians pepper the trains. We hear wonderful stories about how the Good News goes out – in Word and deeds of kindness – during those long rides with not much to do. Pray for God’s Kingdom to advance here. 

During three weekends in March Mark will teach a New Testament Survey course for our BICF Seminary program. We have a growing number of people joining this program and receiving graduate-level accredited ministry training. We will have our first graduation this spring.

Mark has been asked to write the Small-Group study guide for the BICF in 2013. Each of our 19 congregations will go through the curriculum this fall, Lord willing. We will be looking at Jesus’ letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. You can use the materials we have already produced in Philippians, Galatians, and the “I AM’s” of Jesus in John in both English and Mandarin: http://bicf.org/downloads-and-resources/viewcategory/6

As we begin 2013, our 4^th year in China, our 31^st year of marriage, we see no end of Gospel opportunities for us here in Beijing. We are here because you are praying and giving and we thank God for you! Please let us know how we can pray for you too.

Yours in our Faithful Lord, 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

It's Snowing in Beijing

Advent Greetings from Beijing!   

Our ‘Made in China’ evergreen sparkles with ornaments we’ve collected and lugged round the world. We play joyous songs Christmas songs from Hawaii as we gaze at the slate grey skies of Beijing – well below freezing these days! We rejoice that we can declare His Advent in the capital city of the most populous nation in the world. Jesus Christ reigns even here in China. Shopping malls, and many homes, shine with festive holiday lights. Carols declare His Good News for huge crowds of shoppers. Churches will be filled with people searching to know the ‘reason for the Season.’ And millions of believers are eager to share Him. Like the Apostle Paul experienced, we see these twin truths, “a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16.9)

Tonight our church will put on an International Christmas Concert in a large church near BICF ZGC. As their church is for locals, we can invite all our friends for this outreach. So we anticipate their 1000+ seats will be filled to standing room only, as it was last year, with colleagues, classmates, and students of our BICF members. We anticipate a great program with music from our various BICF congregations; English, Russian, African, Pacific Islands, Maoris, Koreans, and the Chinese choir from our host church. Please join us in prayer that many people will be reached and Jesus will be praised! 

Thanksgiving…Twice!

We have much to be thankful for! A few days before Thanksgiving Mark got another ‘all clear’ from a CT scan. Now three years have passed since Mark finished chemo. The Lord is gracious in giving us health and strength for this ministry.

On Thanksgiving night over 150 of our Beijing International Christian Fellowship Zhong Guan Cun family gathered in Café Heaven. Members of our Korean congregation own and operate this spacious restaurant which has been a great venue for our small groups and outreaches. Mrs. Park and the crew cooked up a tasty meal for us all. In our 20 Thanksgivings abroad we’ve seen how this National Holiday – with all its scrumptious grazing! – is a world favorite! 75% of our crowd were non-Americans, but all quite Thankful! Best of all, many were friends, colleagues, and classmates who came along to hear about our gracious, giving, God.  Here are just a few of our happy diners…

     

 Outreach to Japanese

Our long-time friend, Noboru Morishige, a singer/songwriter/evangelist shared the Good News in song here in October. He sang in six BICF congregations, our conference of International churches, and in two outreaches in café’s filled with young adults. He gave free CD’s of his gospel songs in Japanese that he has written to all who asked. Their eager response was most encouraging. Hear him at www.thedaywill.com

 

 Teaching Skills

In early November Mark and Dayna were able to team-teach a “Teaching Skills” class for the BICF Seminary program. We had ten students from six different nations. It was a privilege to share with them from our years of ministry experience, success and failures! Each of them did some teaching before their peers and it was great to see their gifts and talents – and their willingness to learn and grow in effectiveness. 

Weekend in Wuhan

We spent last weekend about 1000 miles south of Beijing in the ‘small’ city of Wuhan (just 8 million people J) with young adults in their International Fellowship there (WICF). Saturday we had a day-long Marriage Conference for about 20 couples. 

Sunday we had a Relationships seminar with about 250 singles. Most of the congregation are students. Our Beijing congregation is surrounded by more than 80 Universities, but there are over 150 Uni’s in Wuhan! Most of the WICF members are Africans, along with many from India, Brazil, and other Asian nations. Being with these folks from such wide and diverse corners of our globe reminded us how Jesus truly is the Savior of the world. Got a nice thank you a couple days ago…

 Dear BICF Pastors,

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. We are deeply grateful for the time spent with Pastor Mark and Dayna here in Wuhan. Their teachings and resources for the married couples and the singles, and the sharing with the leaders of WICF have been enriching beyond our initial expectations. Words can only imperfectly convey our appreciation to the Lord, to BICF and to you. May God's work continue to prosper into your hands and His joy fully dwell in you.

As we pray and hope for a continued and blessed connection with BICF, may you receive cordial greetings from the WICF family.

Blessings,

Abel Muyisa, Wuhan International Christian Fellowship

Christmas Anticipation

We are very glad that our son Josiah will travel from Kazakhstan to be with us. That means two of our three sons will be with us as Nathan and his wife Heather live and work here in Beijing. God is very kind to us! We pray that your Christmas will also be one of great joy and that you will seize every opportunity to make Him – the reason for our joy – known far and wide.  

As some of us may soon be going over a ‘Fiscal Cliff’ we are very grateful that you continue to support us with finances and prayers. We had hoped to get this letter out after Thanksgiving, but there are so many great things happening here we can hardly pause to shout out the news! Truly, the Lord is working wonders here. 

Yours in Him who Came and will Come Again!  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

BICF Christmas Letter

Busy in Beijing

Mid-Autumn Greetings from Blue Sky Beijing!  

Thank you so much for your prayers for our return. We have been back for a busy and productive month. We thank the Lord for good health!

Fall Push

Our Beijing International Christian Fellowship Zhong Guan Cun congregation has moved - just across the street within the same office complex. We’re back in the worship venue the church started in six years ago. We’re now all together in one English service that can seat 500 people; we’re just over 300 now. Lots of students and professors from all over the world are here. Our biggest logistical challenge in the move is enough classroom space for the more than 100 children in our congregation. We rejoice that our families are fruitful AND flexible as we grow in ministry.

Our ‘Fall Push’ includes starting up new Small Groups (we’re aiming for groups on all the 82 campuses that surround our church…so far about 20!) and people plugging into on-going ministries in and out of the church. That’s all happening now. Pray for our people who have newly come to Beijing to find and follow Him even far from home.

China ‘Kids’
Our eldest son, Nathan and his wife Heather, are doing great as they begin their 2^nd year in Beijing. Nathan is a Product Designer and Heather a High School Biology teacher. They have their own apartment close to their work, not too far away from us. We see them at least on Sundays, sometimes more! Serving a congregation full of young adults means we have lots of great ‘kids’ from all over the world. We almost lost one in April. I can still feel a chill from the words from a doctor in our congregation, “Mark, humanly speaking, there is no hope for her.” Within a week Lina went from an active University student into a coma. She lay at death’s door for a week before they took a chance and gave her medication for Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). As her parents flew here from Burundi, we rehearsed what we might tell them if the worst occurred. But after 5 days of treatment she was awake!  Ten weeks after going to the hospital for a bad flu, she walked out! She uploaded a video to tell the world her story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg6I8Bkwj70&feature=results_video                   It was a great joy to have Lina (in pink, holding a friend’s baby) and her sister join us for lunch last week.

The Beijinger

A couple who lead our Music ministry work for “The Beijinger” magazine as their day job. You might be surprised to see who they put on page 53 of their July issue…

http://issuu.com/thebeijinger/docs/the_beijinger_2012_july?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

China I.F. Conference

China has over 200 cities with more than one million people. Many of them have a growing population of Internationals. A number have International Fellowships of various sizes. (“Fellowship” seems to be more ‘politically correct’ here…but they look like churches to me!) We at BICF, the largest and oldest IF in China, will host a conference to encourage and equip IF’s from China and the neighboring nations. Pray that we will have a great time of Kingdom-advance.

A long-time Japanese friend, Noboru Morishige, a singer/songwriter/evangelist will be with us for this Conference. We look forward to some special opportunities to reach out to Japanese here in Beijing. Please join us in prayer for this special times.

November 8 there will be a complete change of Government leaders here in China. This is a very important event for the nation. Ask the ‘King of Kings’ to appoint people of peace for Gospel advance.

We have really enjoyed receiving ZG Briefs. They compile current news articles about China from many sources into one easy to find email.  You can check it out at: http://www.zgbriefs.com/

The most recent ZG Brief cited an excellent collection of photographs that present varied, colorful, snapshots of this amazing land: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/09/china.html

Thank you, again, for remembering us before Him who graciously rules all nations! 

Yours in our Mighty Savior! 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