GlocalNet

I spent part of the day yesterday with Philip Kua and his wife Poh Choo.  I took them to eat Mexican food – hey, they said they wanted it - and they liked it - some!  Philip is a Chinese pastor at a church of over 700 in Melbourne Australia - they are a cell church.  He met with our staff to learn how we do engagement.  His grandfather was a pioneering church planter in Malaysia.  They worshipped with us Sunday and visited a small group and submerged themselves in our church.  Today we have another group coming in - we do have Turbos ANYONE can come to and get the same kind of experience - if not better because it’s focused and clear.

Anyone who studies what God is doing around the world knows what God is doing in China - but what people don’t often realize is how expat Chinese are also driving things all over the world. One of the greatest Chinese pastors is here in the U.S. at River of Life Church in Santa Barbara.  Eddy Leo is Chinese of Abba Love in Jakarta and the list goes on and on and on - it isn’t just China but Chinese who have been born in other nations that God is using around the world in powerful ways. So I asked Philip why and here are the reasons he gave.

1.  We are survivors and are highly adaptable people. 

2.  It is in us to give a lot to something we believe in and make sure that it succeeds.

3.  We are travelers and have no fear of picking up and starting in another country or culture and making it work.

I also asked Philip what he sees in the American church and what it has to offer?  Americans think they can conquer the world and do anything.  That belief is very energizing and they think big.  They are willing to include others to do great things.

I asked him if he knew the American church wasn’t doing as good - he told me he was aware, he had heard all the stories.  This was his first trip to the U.S.

Finally, I asked him what the American church can do to make a difference in the world:

1.  Share resources - money, teaching, and skill impartation
2.  You tell your story very well, we don’t - help us do that.  (I wonder if he understands bragging?! Asians don’t brag - they just “do”.)
3.  Keep being generous with praise and encouragement.
4.  Learn from us also!