“”The communist, socialist critique of traditional religion, and of Confucianism has been effective”, she says: “The youngsters think it is very cool to be Christian. Communism has removed all the obstacles for them to come to Christianity.”“

“The most conservative estimates of the new converts to Christianity is 500,000; there is a new church built every month. Calvinist Christianity has a culture of phenomenal industry. Calvin himself, in his time in Geneva, preached every day and twice on Sundays: shorthand writers at the foot of his pulpit took down 108 volumes of his sermons, though most of these have been lost and his reputation rests on the books and pamphlets that he wrote himself. In China now, this kind of Christianity is seen as forward-looking, rational, intellectually serious, and favourable to making money.

“Very soon”, said Dr Tan, “Christians will become the majority of university students … that could happen.”“

So amazing! May Jesus be worshipped in China!

Very interesting article. Also worth noting that the future of the entire nation coming to know Jesus, hugely invovles the university students.

HT: Glen Davis

That’s what I am asking myself after listening to Piper’s first sermon, Let the Nations Be Glad Pt. 1, from Advance 09’.

Pic from Gabriel Boone, more at Flickr.

The Don’t Waste Your Life site is worth your time.

Meet the Staff: Matt Jensen

By: Terri Maria Amos

When did Jesus change your life?

Early in my life, Jesus was just a sort of legend, a good man, maybe God even, but I didn’t care. I gave my life to him as the real living God of my life when I was 17. God began to draw me mainly through my now wife, Amy. She went to church, so I went to church; she was interested in God, so I became interested and open to God because I was into her.

But then “all hell broke loose” in my family and I didn’t have the luxury of a “hypothetical God.” My dad became a Christian and was asking me to consider the truths of the Gospel. After processing things for a while, I still did not want to submit to the truth of the Gospel–that I was really jacked up and God’s plan for my life was different (and better) than mine. But after hearing the Gospel preached again, specifically about the cost of forgiveness of sin through the crucifixion of Jesus, I was destroyed by the weight of my sin, and given a new heart that believed he died for my sin, and was my Lord. But I didn’t understand how it exactly happened.

How has your life changed since meeting Jesus?

The biggest change in my life was conviction from the Holy Spirit. Some things changed instantly, but most things changed slowly as God led me to true repentance and transformation. To my shame, I was a really terrible boyfriend to Amy and led her into sexual sin before I was a Christian, and we struggled with finding comfort and identity in each other for a good bit after I was born again. This was the big deal when I was saved, and our relationship was one of the biggest idols in my life at that point. Praise Jesus He didn’t leave us there and continues to change us.

If Jesus hadn’t grabbed me by the neck, I really can’t imagine what I’d be doing right now. I think I’d be a workaholic in one miserable relationship after another and banking on the things of the world for happiness.

How long have you been a member of MHC?

Two years.

When were you called to serve Jesus at MHC?

God called Amy and me in October of 2006 to move to Seattle from Florida so I could do an internship with Acts 29. The way God called me into “full-time ministry” was through Matthew 6:19  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What ministry are you currently serving in?

Currently I lead the College Mission out of the Ballard campus.

What is your biggest challenge in this ministry?

Sin…Idolatry. Sounds obvious but students have been told to fix themselves, and believe in themselves, and that’s pride. Jesus is their hope and savior, not their giftedness, girlfriend, their roommates, or their major.

The best part about ministry is that you can’t lead where you’re not willing to go. And God doesn’t let me speak to anyone about sin and repentance without showing me how jacked up I am, and how much I need the same Gospel I am preaching to students.  I mentioned that college students are prideful; well so am I, so Jesus is transforming me in this as I minster, not before.

What is your greatest joy while serving in this ministry?

Seeing students “get” the Gospel and worship Jesus. He gives joy and freedom–things most college students don’t really have.

What are you looking forward to seeing God do in this ministry?

I’m looking forward to when the students involved now are equipped and seeing their friends meet Jesus, and those friends lead other people to Jesus. That’s what I’m in this for.

What do you and your wife do for fun?

Amy and I love going out to eat, and walking around the parks in Seattle; Florida’s parks weren’t so great. But, contrary to what the world tells me, I don’t have much time for hobbies, which is why I’m glad I love what I do. I tell people that I feel like I’m on permanent recess working at Mars Hill. We work super hard, but I love it.

What’s playing in your iPod right now?

I’m pretty easy to please, music-wise. I usually just start up Pandora and let it run. But Lecrae’s most recent album is pretty sick.

From the “Meet the Staff” series at the Mars Hill Ballard Blog.

This is going to be sick nasty.

Many students I know struggle with eating disorders. The Gospel changes everything, including the way we see food, comfort, and ourselves. This article helps put some categories to the struggle, and shows the way out.

“In this article, Ed Welch describes how easy it is, in a weight-conscious world that also uses food for comfort, to take the small steps that lead to a full blown eating disorder. He gives a road map for dealing with this difficult problem that includes understanding the thoughts and emotions that trigger destructive eating habits and then encouraging those who struggle with food addictions to take the big step of trusting God, instead of food rules and rituals.”

Get the full booklet here for cheap.

HT: Justin Taylor

Get the book here.