May 2024 RCMI Newsletter

"Lying Flat"

"Lying Flat," (or "Opting Out of the Rat Race") is an online phrase coined in 2021 in mainland China to describe the attitude and response of many young Chinese to excessive competition and social pressure.

Dear Friends of RCMI,

Mainland China and Hong Kong have both experienced marked change in recent years. As China's economy has flourished and developed, it has not only become a huge economy but also an increasingly potent influence in international politics, international relations, and military matters. But Hong Kong borders mainland China, and its economy and government have been increasingly marginalized and Hong Kong has largely lost its former unique status of semi-independence.

Curved Building in Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

For many years, Hong Kong was the busiest shipping hub in the world, handling more sea freight per day than any other seaport.

Unfortunately, many countries and groups tend to mix government affairs with church affairs, with the result that the church can no longer be free and independent. Before the war between Russia and Ukraine, churches in the two countries were 'good brothers.' Evangelists and missionaries from all over the world could freely travel between the two countries sharing God's Word, and churches in the two countries communicated well with each other. But the war has directly affected the Body of Christ. Where there used to be no hatred between churches in the two countries, now an attitude of revenge and even killing one another in war has come in and injured the Body of Christ.

In a similar way, Gospel outreach and church development of mainland Chinese and Hong Kong churches has been affected in ways that should not have been. But RCMI believes -- and shows by its action -- that "the Lord is King over the flood." Therefore we are calling everyone who can hear us to pray especially for the churches of China and Hong Kong, to drive out the spirit of discouragement and disillusionment, that instead there will be the Spirit of joy, peace, and hope! We ask you to believe with us that God still has a great purpose for us to expand His Kingdom!

Wikipedia's figures on Hong Kong's religious demographics are somewhat inconsistent; nevertheless, here is a table of some of their pertinent data (taken from the article titled "Religion in Hong Kong" unless otherwise noted):

(Note: According to figures from Wikipedia, Hong Kong's population has remained relatively constant from 2016 to 2022 at about 7.3 million.)

Note: calculated from other figures given in article.

averages of disparate figures given in Wikipedia article: "Christianity in Hong Kong."

Using 2022 figures for Christians (including Protestants and Roman Catholics) now make up the largest religious group in Hong Kong.

These data reflect the pluralistic, tolerant religious culture of Hong Kong.

Another set of data obtained from a recent Hong Kong survey shows nearly half (49.7%) of respondents not to be optimistic about Hong Kong's future, and 14.3% say they have decided to emigrate within two years.

China's believers have always been eager to have Bibles - their spiritual hunger has not abated!

On a Saturday at a church in Guangzhou, China, young people practice songs for the Sunday worship service.

The term "China Protestant House Church" refers to churches in mainland China that are outside the official church (the "Three-Self Patriotic Church"), mostly Protestant groups meeting in homes. Due to the rapid growth of the house church after China opened up to the world, particularly in the last 30 years, its members far outnumber those of the Three-Self Church.

At the time of writing this newsletter, Pastor Samuel, Secretary General of RCMI, is on an 11-day trip to 3 cities (visiting a total of 23 churches) in the mainland. We thank God that the body of Christ is still forging ahead!

China has still has many unreached people -- many who have not yet had even one chance to hear the Gospel!

The head pastor of Tseun Kwan O Rhema Revival Christian Church is Pastor Bill Lee. His sharing of their recent situation is typical of many Hong Kong churches' recent experience as they work hard to serve their communities: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord."

Dear friends of RCMI,

As we have entered the year 2024 and the pandemic is over, the entire world, including Hong Kong and its churches, is in its second year of working hard to get 'back to normal.' In our church, we're also looking to conduct more evangelistic and discipleship activities, including having special evangelistic services and reading through certain books of the Bible together as a body. For six days In January, we all read and studied Philippians; this study was titled "On The Contrary."

I myself have also been working at getting back to normal. At the beginning of March, I took a trip out of Hong Kong to Paris RCC for a bit more than a week, and I taught a Bible course there. The students' eager participation was very gratifying to a teacher like me! Since the pandemic started, I'd hardly been out of Hong Kong -- the farthest I'd been was to Shenzhen. I thank God that I was able to make this trip!

Then immediately after my return in mid-March, we had three days of special meetings. I'd invited Pastor Charles Curtis and his wife from the U.S., as our church is entering our 20th year, so I invited them especially to encourage all the brothers and sisters here to continue diligently preaching the Gospel and to live with zeal for the Lord.

The American couple, Pastor Charles Curtis and his wife, pose with Pastor Bill Lee and his wife and two others from the church.

Tseun Kwan O Rhema Revival Christian Church -- Bible Study

Very soon after those meetings, at the end of March we celebrated Easter by making it an evangelistic Sunday, encouraging brothers and sisters in the church to invite friends and relatives and to share with them the Good News of the Resurrection.

You may not be aware of the fact that for Hong Kong people, the Easter holiday is one of the few long holidays we get. In 2023, during the four-day Easter holiday there were 1.31 million international departures from Hong Kong; and this year the figure was even higher -- 2.27 million. As Hong Kong's population is about 7.3 million, we can see that almost one in three Hong Kong people left the territory. Many Hong Kong shopping districts this Easter were very quiet.

Seeing this, I thought that not many people would attend our Easter Sunday service -- maybe about half our normal attendance. But on Easter, far more people came than I was expecting -- we were filled almost to capacity. Some new people came too, thank God! I preached a simple sermon entitled "Now That You're Resurrected, How Are You Living?" Its main content was that now the pandemic is over and the whole world wants to get back to normal -- studying, working, living daily life, spending, traveling, etc. But is this really the best thing? Everything 'back to normal' just means we've gone back to life as it was before -- is this actually good? In fact, everyone is aware deep down that life is NOT back to normal -- whether we're talking about the present or the future, the world or Hong Kong -- all around us are crises and challenges!

Jesus' Resurrection is the only true Good News! His Resurrection is not just 'A Return to Normal' -- not only a revival from death to continue living as we did before. His New Life is different! It ushers in a new heart ... a fresh start ... a different Life! So it is my hope that we Christians don't just seek to 'return to normal,' but that we share with those around us the Good News of Resurrection that brings a new start and a totally new Life!

Pastor Bill Lee, Tseun Kwan O Rhema Revival Christian Church

RCMI Board Chief Financial Officer