Greetings Friends and Partners,
As I write to share some news about the work in China, it is almost Chinese New Year (February 3rd this year) and we are on our semester break. I've just completed two wonderful weeks of sharing the story about some of the things God is doing in China today with a number of churches in Wisconsin, and I find myself wishing that I had been able to come to visit all of you as well. I'm also taking the opportunity afforded by the school break and using a portion of my vacation time to visit my mother in the Terraces of Los Gatos and to help with some of her needs, as well as to visit other family members in the area.
Spreading the Gospel on Christmas Eve at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary
The seminary is located in the Jiangning University Town in the southern part of the Nanjing metropolitan area, and our campus with its 250 students is surrounded by 10 large colleges and universities, many of which have over 10,000 students. Before Christmas our students delivered 1000 invitations for our Christmas Eve program to students at each of these larger schools. Later, several of my students wrote, "On Christmas Eve our seminary had a program with many students present who did not believe in God. We sang songs and told the story about Jesus. Many students in our school were telling the Good News to the people who didn't believe in Jesus. It was a happy time with joy in all our hearts. We were all happy because many people learned about God on Christmas Eve." The main program was from 7 – 9 p.m., followed by the singing of carols together around a large bonfire. Stations were set up all around the campus where visitors could ask the seminarians questions about faith. Other seminarians preached and engaged in individual conversations with students from other schools as they shared sweet porridge together in the dining hall. I was told that several thousand tracts were handed out that evening.
Seminarians in China
What does it take to be able to study at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary? Of course, you must be a baptized Christian; you should be active in and recommended by your local church; and you should have received a call from God. If you want to enter the four-year bachelor of theology program, you should be at least a high school graduate. If you want to enter the master's degree program you should already hold a bachelor's degree. You must also take an entrance examination that includes some basic biblical and theological knowledge, some information about church history, some general knowledge, and language skills in Chinese and in English.
A 26-year-old sophomore grew up in a Christian family, but only became a Christian himself three years ago. While participating in a youth group at his university and while reading the Psalms, he found his heart touched by God. He has said, "I am eager to become a pastor to help other young students in college who don't know our Christian faith."
A 24-year-old freshman who did not grow up in a Christian family became a Christian through the witness of her boyfriend (to whom she is now married) and his family. Her own parents are opposed to her theological study, but she says. "The Holy Bible is the most important book in my life. I like reading it and I want to study it well…I will always love and follow my Lord."
Another freshman writes, "I grew up in a Christian family…So I believed in God because my parents were believers. But I couldn't believe in the Lord as my Savior completely until my parents told me about how God saved my life when I was a child. I was very seriously ill. Maybe I would have died at anytime. So my parents prayed to God and hoped that I could become a pastor in the future. So, God saved me and I am studying at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary."
One junior tells how her grandmother, the first believer in her family, took her to the church when she was a baby. So, she always went to Sunday School every week. She has said, "Everybody is touched by Jesus in a different way. I really appreciate how deeply Jesus loves me, so I decided to be his servant and follow him all my life."
One senior who felt God's call to become a preacher back when she was in middle school writes, "I am a seminary student and I will become a preacher in six months. I look forward to that day, but I am also afraid of it." Through it all she trusts that God will guide and help her as she completes her studies this term and as she begins to serve full-time in the church following her graduation in early July.
These young men and women, committed in their faith, hardworking in their study and eager to serve are representative of the seminarians in my classes who are being equipped today to become the pastors and leaders of the future in churches in different places throughout China.
It is my privilege to know these students in person and to share in a small piece of their journey. I know that as I teach their English classes and share with them in other ways, you are right here with me—through your interest, your prayers and other expressions of support. By the end of December we had raised about 40% of my required support for the current fiscal year (Oct. 2010 – Sept. 2011). A special thank to those who have helped reach this mark. Others are invited to participate in similar ways. You, too, are in Nanjing with us in spirit and you, too, have a part in the lives, the preparation and the witness of these young committed Christians. I hope that one day you might be able to visit and meet each one in person.
Blessings and Peace to you in this New Year,
Judy Sutterlin
You can support Judy’s ministry in China by sending a check payable to: “International Ministries” and write on the memo line “Ongoing Support for Judith Sutterlin.” Mail it to: International Ministries, Missionary Partnership Teams, P.O. Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482.
Contributions may be made on the web by clicking here: Touch the “missionaries” button and then scroll down to find Judy’s name and enter the amount of your gift.
Thank you!