Laymen Ministries has been working in China since 1997. Because China is still a Communist nation, and because evangelism and outreach are illegal there, our work has, by necessity, taken many forms as various needs arise, and we “fly below the radar” as much as possible.

Our first projects in China involved translation and publishing. A wide variety of materials, from tracts providing a very basic introduction to the love of God, to books on historical and prophetic interests, to Spirit of Prophecy materials, to health education, and even materials to help educate Seventh-day Adventist theology students and pastors, have been produced, with more coming. Web sites similar to BibleInfo.com also support believers and seekers in China.

In China, it is illegal to evangelize outside of the membership of the registered churches. Most Chinese evangelists are “tentmakers,” meaning they have a job that pays their living expenses, while their real vocation is sharing the Good News of the gospel. It is nearly impossible to find any job in China that does not involve work on the Sabbath. Laymen Ministries has provided support for some dedicated workers to set up their own small businesses that provide both income and a means of reaching the public. These small businesses are often health related, such as small facilities where people can learn how to reverse the rampantly growing array of lifestyle diseases, or a home for senior care. Others provide services such as computer repair, website construction and a variety of other trades.

Within the last decade, we have also focused on those who are working to reach minority peoples in China. 90% of the population of China is of the Han ethnic majority, and though the remaining 10% may seem small in comparison, in reality, that is over 130 million people! Many of these people are Buddhist or Muslim, and it takes special understanding and care to make friends among them and reach them for Christ.

“Missionary X:” This is our code name for various American Bible workers in China. Often in the guise of English teachers and tutors, the real purpose of Missionary X is to make friends for Christ. Currently in a large, centrally located metropolitan area, we are supporting a person who is miraculously able to be in China without any “cover” position. Every day of the week, various Bible studies and study groups take place in this person’s home. As more and more friends invite their friends and family for studies, they learn how to live with Jesus as a part of their day-to-day lives. In a very deeply works-oriented culture, it is amazing to see the light of God’s love change people from the inside out as they begin to understand how much God loves us, and how He longs to live in our hearts.

There is an extreme shortage of SDA pastoral leadership in China, and no theological seminary, though theology students are occasionally permitted to study in Thailand and Indonesia. It still leaves a huge void of trained leadership who are grounded in Bible truth. A friend of Laymen Ministries began a seminary program for SDA students in China, but the location was seized by the government in 2007 as part of China’s nationwide crackdown on religions activities prior to the 2008 Olympics. Since that time, Laymen Ministries has continued to provide support for students and teachers in the seminary program, which now operates underground from multiple locations.

If you would like to find out more about this project, support this project or get involved yourself, please contact Laymen Ministries.