Tag Archives: opportunity

Arrested Chinese Pastor Thanks God For “Jail Opportunity”

A Chinese pastor who was arrested during the recent government crackdown on Christians is thanking God for the “opportunity of going to jail.”

Huang Yizi, 40, is facing up to seven years in prison for his speaking out against the government’s destruction of Christian churches.  He was arrested in August when police dragged him from his home in front of his wife and two children.

The official charge is “gathering crowds to disturb social order.”

Beijing rights lawyer Zhang Kai says Yizi is doing well and that from what he can see there is no basis to charge him.

“As a defense lawyer and judging from the evidence so far I don’t think Huang’s actions constituted any crime. Personally, I believe Huang’s arrest is directly related to the general crackdown on churches in Zhejiang.”

Chen Guangcheng, a human rights activist in China, said that the communist government is actually more dangerous than terrorist group ISIS.

“I believe that we have underestimated the threat from the Communist regime like China. They are many, many times more dangerous than the terrorist groups out there. I believe the people will realize later this is true,” Chen said.

Crisis or Opportunity

Rick Joyner recently said that the Chinese word for “crisis” is the same word for “opportunity”.  How very appropriate for the times we live in.

If you take Katrina as an example, the crisis certainly initiated emergencies of all types.  People needed to be rescued, relocated and restored extensively with everything from material things to healing of the traumas caused by the crisis.  Families were separated, loved ones were lost or missing – some injured and in hospitals, some injured and unable to get help, and some fatally wounded by the ferocious storm.

During this crisis, the government could not meet the needs of the people – not in the short term or the long term.   There was mass-confusion in trying to organize and deploy food, water and medical help.  The news media reported the deplorable and inadequate attempts of government to provide relief for the suffering.

I remember the pleas of those taken to the Superdome for water, diapers, baby formula, and food.  It was heartbreaking.

As the hours and days wore on, the churches stepped in and attempted to help with food, water, clothing and other basic necessities.  But it was clear from the beginning; neither the government nor the churches were prepared to deal with a disaster of this magnitude.

If we were to have a complete economic collapse, conditions in this country could become every bit as devastating as those we previewed in Katrina.  Experts have said that the inner cities would be out of food and water within ONE day.  This would not be a regional crisis, but a national and probably international crisis.

Are we, as the church, going to be prepared to help ourselves and others?  An economic collapse will provide unprecedented opportunity for ministry.  Those who understand it and are prepared for it, will have the opportunity to be Jesus to others.  Biblical prophecy indicates that those prepared will be God’s people.  We must address this with clarity to be prepared and to offer help, hope and healing for the hurting.

It’s time we all get ready.

Love,

Lori Signature