June 4, 2001
Singing Men preparing for goodwill trip to China
___By George Henson
___Staff Writer
___The Singing Men of North Texas are praying a tour of China in April 2002 will pave the way for future ministry there.
___The group expects to take about 55 singers, primarily ministers of music, on the trip that will include five concerts and participation in the Sunday services of Chinese churches.
___The Singing Men are working in conjunction with the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Texas Partnerships office. The group undertook a similar trip to Spain two years ago that launched the partnership missions program there.
___"We like to be the vanguard that creates the interest in ministering to an area," said Don Blackley, associate pastor for music and worship at First Baptist Church of Richardson and conductor of the Singing Men of North Texas.
___In addition to performing, the men also are raising money to buy Bibles for distribution in China. The Bibles, printed in China, cost $1.30 each.
___While many people believe Bibles must be smuggled into China, that is not true, said Don Sewell, director of the Texas Partnerships office. Bibles can be distributed openly, but it must be done according to government regulations.
___"We're pursuing what needs there are for Bible distribution through the churches--which is the only place they can be distributed legally," Sewell said. In China, public distribution of Bibles is illegal, but Christians are free to worship as they want in their churches, he said.
___"The churches are able to participate any way they want to in the confines of their worship services. They just can't go out on the streets and do it."
___While Christians cannot go out onto the streets and start preaching or witnessing, they are free to respond to any questions they are asked, he said.
___Since the Singing Men cannot perform in public places, they seek the largest churches so they can sing before the largest crowds. They will sing primarily during the week.
___Despite restrictions, Christianity seems to be flourishing in China. About 15 million people are members of churches registered with the China Christian Council. Millions more Christians are believed to be linked through underground house churches.
___"There's a real vitality and energy to the churches there," Sewell said. Some churches are building new buildings. Other churches are meeting in older buildings that are still very functional.
___Sewell, Blackley and Ira Pinkston of First Baptist Church of Waxahachie visited one church where 4,000 people attended Sunday services. They also went to a Tuesday morning prayer meeting that was filled to capacity. "Can you imagine that happening in Texas?" Sewell asked.
___Blackley said the group is excited to be a part of the venture.
___"Our motivation in being involved is to partner with what Texans are doing and will be doing, but also because this door has never been open to us before."
___"They are going to be goodwill ambassadors," Sewell said. "They are really kind of John the Baptists singing."
___?
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!