Category Archives: China
Persons of Peace Preserving the Progress of the Gospel: A Historical Example
The years 1899-1900 were terrible years in North China. The Boxers, a group so-called because of their fighting methods, arose in opposition to everything foreign and in support of the Qing dynasty. They had formed a belief that their protecting … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions
Speaking in Tongues and the Shandong Revival
One of the recurring questions surrounding the Shandong Revival is whether or not the missionaries spoke in tongues. Historically, Southern Baptists have held that ”speaking in unknown languages” was not the biblical understanding of glossolalia, and certainly that speaking in tongues … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions, Revival
Historical Quote of the Day
from Daniel H. Bays, A New History of Christianity in China, pg. 3. Ahem…please pardon his French… plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose In other words, “The more things change, the more things stay the same”
Filed under China, History of Missions
1927: Big Year for Shandong
I’m currently putting together an outline of important historical events leading up to and going through the Shandong Revival. It is not near complete at the moment, but here is a rough outline of some of the events in the … Continue reading
Introducing John Sung
I’m currently writing my dissertation on the Shandong Revival, 1927-37. One of the more important figures in this revival was John Sung. Sung was a revivalist/evangelist, credited with leading over 100,000 Chinese men and women (and some missionaries too!) to … Continue reading
Filed under China
An Example of Revival Unity
Though sometimes what is often termed revival is nothing less than religious enthusiasm, genuine revival is much more. The “revived” experience all facets of Christianity more deeply than they had before. Below is an example from Charles L. Culpepper, Sr.,’s … Continue reading
Bertha Smith & Keswick Theology in the Shantung Revival
The two revivalists who frequented Cowpens, SC, made a lasting impact upon the life of Bertha Smith.[1] Rev. Troy and Luther Manness had attended God’s Bible School, founded by Martin Wells Knapp in 1897 in Cincinnati. Knapp was a Methodist … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions, Revival
Glory on the Mountaintop–A Revival Report
In a newsletter dated Sept. 27, 1933, Abernathy recounts an experience from the revival.[1] That summer, they had planned a Bible Conference on Tai Shan, the sacred mountain of the province. Note: the Shantung province was the provincial home of … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions, Revival
Missionary-Thought of the Week
“A born-again, Spirit filled, Scripture grounded Chinese evangelist is worth two or three ordinary missionaries.” Martha Linda Franks Letter to Friends, April 5, 1933 Tsining, Shantung, China
Filed under China, Missionary Methods
Introducing the Abernathys, Missionaries to China
John Arch and Zenobia Jewell Leonard Abernathy John Arch Abernathy was one of two sons born to John and Sarah Abernathy in Statesville, NC. John A., (b. 1/3/1896; d. 3/19/1973), experienced conversion after a revival meeting and was baptized at … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions, Revival
Should Missionaries Fear a Bad Economy?
In the past three years, the global recession has severely impacted the financial contributions of individuals to non-profit organizations. Also, the increased inflation in costs of living combined with the deflation in the value of currencies has made those contributions … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions, Revival
Confession of Sin–Towards Mutuality in Missions
In my studies of the Shantung Revival, I am struck by the level of unity between the Southern Baptist missionaries of the North China Mission and the Chinese nationals and their churches. What led to this unity lay in a … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions
Ministering in primitive conditions…OR NOT?
Bertha Smith is probably the most well-known Southern Baptist REVIVAL Missionary. Born and raised in South Carolina, she spent over forty years working with Chinese. After retirement she led spiritual life conferences in churches across the nation. In this letter … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions
Being Filled with the Spirit in China — A Testimony of a Missionary Housewife
Letter from Ola Lane Culpepper to Dr. C.E. Maddry, November 20, 1933, Hwanghsien, Shantung, China Background: This letter was written in response to a resolution, on recommendation by the Far East Committee, of the Foreign Mission Board on Oct 11, … Continue reading
Filed under China, History of Missions, Revival
