March 2024 RCMI Newsletter

I-WORSHIP -- 10th Anniversary

10th Anniversary of I-WORSHIP Ministry

Teaching Worship Songs in the Rural Church

If you show up in a mainland church, you may be surprised to find many people in uniform. Many there are solemn, some seem hungry, and some have cold expressions. This means one thing -- they are under persecution! We know religious freedom in China is limited: the government keeps a strict watch over religious activities, meetings and other church activities as well. And the surveillance causes some church members to feel disturbed, fearful, or even unwilling to participate in public worship activities.

But in fact, to be persecuted is part of our journey of faith -- the Lord often reminded us of this. Despite our natural feelings, we have to remember that being persecuted is part and parcel of following Jesus Christ.

Police

Challenges For Chinese House Churches, Praise and Worship Ministry

The issues of church safety, limited financial resources and facilities, the need for training and equipping, societal pressures, cultural barriers, etc. All these things challenge the Chinese church in their desire to rise up and worship. These political, financial, and cultural issues will only be overcome through creativity and obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading by church leaders and the worship teams, in order to ensure the continuation and expansion of worship ministry.

Limited Church Space

I-Worship's Tenth Anniversary

RCMI Church Development Update「Rise and Shine」 Sharing from Pastor Matthew, Revival Chinese Ministry's Worship Teacher

Dear friends of RCMI,

As we approach I-WORSHIP's tenth anniversary milestone, the past decade of difficult challenges and significant growth is worth reviewing and celebrating!

The Abbreviated Story of I-WORSHIP, a Ten-year-old "Tree of Righteousness" (Isa 61:3)

1. The Seedling Sprouts

My first trip in 2012 with Pastor Wai gave us the opportunity to meet brother Li in Shanghai, whose intense yearning to see worshipers arise in his local area inspired me. I started keeping in touch with him; in 2013 he invited me to participate in the first I-WORSHIP conference, and I went, with the blessing of Pastor Dennis Balcombe.

On that day the Holy Spirit's presence came down in a wonderful way, touching everyone in the meeting. All of us experienced the Lord's presence -- His filling, renewal, and empowerment -- and we sensed the beginning of a new season of preparation. Worship was bringing us into a new stage of impartation and inheritance.

A Coffee Shop -- A Holy Place

In 2012, our Heavenly Father had provided a simple coffee shop for us, and the first I-WORSHIP meetings had been held there. But as the worship ministry began to grow, we needed a larger facility. The number of participants kept increasing. This "righteous tree," I-WORSHIP, was growing healthy and strong! With grateful hearts, we formally began the ministry at this time.

A Coffee Shop -- A Holy Place

2. The "Righteous Sapling" Grows

Then in 2015 one day I received the exciting news from Brother Li that nearly a hundred people had registered for the event. The Lord had continued drawing people hungry for worship. He also provided a larger facility -- we rented a place from a conference and exhibition center.

Participants returned to their churches and began in earnest to set up worship teams. Their pastors then began coming to visit us to find out what was going on. So in 2016, our second year in the conference center, almost 200 people attended, and a company even donated speakers and audiovisual equipment for our use. I-WORSHIP was continuing to expand!

About 2016, we also started seeing marked growth in our coworkers. Of course as in any large, growing ministry, some people decided to leave; but many others continued. Some started their own worship ministries. We went through growing pains, but they made us stronger.

3. The "Tree of Righteousness" Keeps Growing, Strong and Sturdy

By 2018, I-WORSHIP had experienced more transformation. Pastor Matthew had accompanied I-WORSHIP since its inception when it needed constant care. During those first years it had remained within the boundaries of members' churches and music-related organizations, but now it began branching out into multimedia worship events, online training and sharing platforms, and international as well as national ministry.

We began cooperating with other groups, including a Hillsong 2018 Chinese language album, for which I-WORSHIP provided the lead singer. Somewhat like a growing teenager, I-WORSHIP began asserting that we should be the ones to plan meetings we were involved in.

4. I-WORSHIP: Looking Back And Looking Forward

At this special time, we want to thank God for His leading and blessing! Since 2012, I-WORSHIP has been ushering in a new generation of worship ministers -- our hope and our future! The ministry has made tremendous progress, but in fact we have only begun our growth journey.

Therefore let's continue with one heart, striving together and doing our utmost for the sake of His Kingdom! May this "Tree of Righteousness" continue to grow strong and sturdy, put down deep roots and bear more fruit for Heaven for the glory of Jesus' Name!

P.S. One worshipper said, "From the beginning, the government has been able to limit, suppress, (...) ; nevertheless we have to keep praising the Lord! Because the history of the Chinese Church shows that in the place where we are weak, that is in fact where we are strong!"