Grace, In Any Language

Last Saturday my daughter Lydia and I spent the evening with the Grace Chinese Fellowship, a mission of First Baptist Socorro, New Mexico. It was the sixth anniversary for the ministry, and for Anna Tai, MSC Missionary who started the work. In addition to praise and worship, I preached, Pastor Bob Farmer of FBC recognized Anna for her faithful service, and two of the members shared their testimony. All in all, I believe the Savior was pleased.

For me the high point of the evening was the song service. Despite a few glitches with the technology, we joined together in authentic worship. Since most of the songs were original Chinese hymns, I listened with joy as my brothers and sisters loved God in their heart language. But we opened with Amazing Grace. With a polyglot slide on the screen, they sang out in Chinese while Lydia and I did so in English. Different language... different culture... but the same song to the same Lord, praising Him for His wonderful grace. And do you know what? Grace is amazing, no matter what language you speak.

Please pray for the Grace Chinese Fellowship. Chinese students comprise the largest group of international students attending the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro. God has raised up a core group to serve as the hub of a new church that will reach and disciple students for Christ before sending them back home in service to Him. Pray that this leadership base would continue to grow. Pray also for Anna, that a health concern would be quickly resolved. Most of all, pray that God's wonderful grace would continue to flow from this beautiful fellowship.

"to the praise of His glorious grace"

Bro. Jim