Spiritual, reasonable and sentimental
Interview with Pastor Su Wenfeng, Director General of the American Campus Evangelical Fellowship
自1992年由《海外校園》雜誌起步的美國校園福音團契，十四年來，事工層面日益多元，事奉工場日益廣泛，影響力日益深遠。時至今日，在普世海外中國學人宣教工場中，美國校園福音團契的《海外校園》、《舉目》、培訓事工和培訓材料⋯⋯等，均扮演著重要的角色。夫婦同心創立此事工，並擔任總幹事迄今的蘇文峰牧師，亦是神國資源中心諮詢委員，最近在美國洛杉磯接受了本刊的訪問。
Make a decision and then act
Question: In your organization’s ministry experience, what are the similarities and differences between evangelism for overseas students and scholars and evangelism for other people (such as new immigrants)?
answer:The similarities between evangelical work for overseas Chinese students and scholars and other groups are:
1. They are all like sheep without a shepherd: their souls are troubled and wandering, and they need to be found, saved, healed, shepherded, and guided.
2. They are all wanderers in a foreign land: they feel lonely and helpless, and need grace, friendship, love, care, and ability.
3. They all have a humanistic worldview: they do not have God in their hearts. A God-centered worldview needs to be spread to them and implemented in changes in values and outlook on life.
Compared with other groups, the benefits and difficulties of scholars’ evangelical work are:
1. Scholars are more rational, prefer to think, and have a spirit of seeking knowledge and research. The advantage is that they are more willing to study the Bible and seek the truth; the difficulty is that it is easy to fall into the trap of rationality and it is difficult to move from the head to the heart.
2. It is easier for students to study, work, and stay. The advantage is that you can regularly participate in church fellowships and gospel camps, making it easier for you to get in touch with the gospel. The problem is that after a scholar passes the college entrance examination, it is easy to fall into the routine of the overseas middle class, thinking that everything is going well and there is no need for the gospel.
Question: What are the main obstacles for Chinese scholars to believe in Christ? What information would be most helpful to them? In response to the characteristics mentioned above, what kind of missionary strategy has your organization formulated?
answer:To comprehensively summarize the main obstacles for overseas Chinese scholars to accept the gospel, they can be divided into the following five categories (see the table below):
Based on such observation and analysis, the team of co-workers has developed the following five effective missionary strategies through years of practical experience:
1. Destroy first and then establish: Get rid of their prejudices and establish a God-centered worldview.
2. Tolerate first and then transcend, affirm first and then guide.
3. Ask questions and then answer them.
4. Lead from practical needs to ultimate care.
5. Make good use of multiple media.
The situation in different places is the same but there are differences
Q: Are the mentality and needs of international students in North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, New Zealand and Australia different? How to determine different evangelistic strategies based on these differences?
answer:International students from all over the world have roughly the same hearts, minds, and mentality, and they also have the same need for the gospel, but there are some differences in different regions. For example, most of the international students in North America are graduate students and scholars; in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, most of them are young students studying abroad at their own expense. Since universities in Germany, France and Northern Europe are free of tuition, most international students start from language schools or undergraduate studies. The average length of study abroad in Germany is seven years, and for doctoral students it takes more than ten years.
Since international students in North America are relatively stable, in terms of evangelistic strategies, regular weekend fellowship gatherings and evangelical camps can be arranged to lead them to the Lord step by step and from the outside in.
The evangelistic strategy outside of North America is slightly different. For example, in Europe, public transportation is convenient and people can meet on weeknights. Since language learning is difficult, language classes and Chinese classes for children are good preparatory works for the gospel. Due to the shortage of lecturers, national or regional gospel camps are held once or twice a year, and the participants are quite enthusiastic; due to the extreme shortage of excellent Chinese books and periodicals, written and audio-visual materials are indispensable evangelistic tools.
▲Su Wenfeng and Zheng Qiying have a deep love and have served together for more than 30 years.
Question: Based on what you have seen and heard in serving in various places, will it be difficult for international students who believe in the Lord overseas to live church life under the same roof as old and new immigrants? How to overcome these difficulties?
answer:The difficulties for international students and new and old immigrants to get along in church life are—
1. Different economic, educational, cultural and social status.
2. Different life topics and concerns.
3. Different church backgrounds and experiences.
These differences often result in foreign students and old and new immigrants living in separate groups and not interacting with each other. Therefore, we often point out in our publications that in order to overcome these difficulties, several people or families in the church must step forward and become a bridge between the two.
For example, it is best for one or two pairs of university teachers or professionals in the church to open their homes, invite international students to their homes for gatherings, lead them to the Lord and be baptized, and then introduce them to other fellowships in the church. This is the most ideal model. During this process, if the pastor and other co-workers in the church often come to support and care for this international student fellowship, it will be much easier for them to integrate into the church after they believe in the Lord.
The co-workers of the international student fellowship must also establish a correct view of the church. Don’t just know that there is fellowship but not the church; don’t be intellectually arrogant, but do evangelistic work for new immigrants with a missionary intention.
The universal reach of "Overseas Campus"
Q: "Overseas Campus" is a very popular publication among overseas Chinese scholars. Please talk about its features, editing experience and its development prospects.
answer:"Overseas Campus" is a publication that preaches the gospel to Chinese scholars with contemporary information and a spiritual, rational and emotional style.
In the editing experience of "Overseas Campus", we found that intellectuals easily fall into the habit of rational thinking and want to convince others with reason; other authors speak out of their feelings but lack the depth of belief. Therefore, since the publication was first published in 1992, we have continuously emphasized the equal importance of emotion, reason, and spirit, and asked the Holy Spirit to drive the author's rationality and sensibility to write works in which "the soul speaks to the soul." I believe this feature is the main reason for the popularity of "Overseas Campus".
Another important experience we have is that writing is like the person it is, and cultivating the author is more important than just editing the work. In the eyes of the editors of "Overseas Campus", communicating with authors is not a job, but a mission. If some works are not up to expectations, we will try our best to discuss them with the author to help him improve; if some opinions are different, we will communicate through email among the editors, authors, and advisory committee members to allow the author to broaden his horizons during the discussion. We attach great importance to this author cultivation work.
The development prospects of "Overseas Campus" are:
1. It has been decided to publish the European version in simplified characters from June 2006. Let more authors in Europe reflect their testimonies of believing in the Lord, growing up, and living in Europe.
2. If it can be published publicly in mainland China in the future, a Chinese version will be created to express the spiritual exploration and faith experience of domestic students and scholars.
▲In training camps on overseas campuses, everyone prayed together for the spread of the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Precious memories on the road to ministry
Question: Could you please share some of the most unforgettable scenes during your thirty-five years of full-time ministry?
answer:In the past years of ministry, there have been too many unforgettable scenes. I will only mention three -
■After a gathering in Europe in October 1995, a middle-aged scholar told me his marriage story with tears in his eyes. He and his wife were on the verge of family breakdown, but God restored them. He expressed his willingness to believe in the Lord that day, and the couple reunited. Today they are full-time student workers.
Scenes similar to this couple often appear in "Overseas Campus" authors in North America and around the world. Because we often keep in touch with the author, we often hear many wonderful stories of life changes. This is our greatest joy in ministry.
■On August 3, 2002, the 10th anniversary Thanksgiving gathering of the Overseas Campus/American Campus Evangelical Fellowship was also the opening day of our newly purchased office. I still remember that day outside the office, and many scenes reappeared in my mind: Looking back at the founding of this magazine in 1992, a room in my home was used as an office, and everything was kept simple; ten years later, a new office was built, and the number of co-workers had increased to more than a dozen. position, the ministry has expanded into diversity. For more than ten years, we have continued to see God’s guidance, and we have heard affirmations from readers in every co-worker, every office, and every gathering. These are God’s blessings to us.
■On December 15, 2005, Pastor Liu Zhiqin and his wife, who have been missionary in Thailand for nearly ten years, visited our office and shared a story with us:
One day, he received a letter from Thailand's Central Prison (a prison for serious criminals and death row prisoners) asking him for "Overseas Campus". The reason is that there is a cell in the Central Prison that is exclusively for Chinese prisoners. A Christian once gave them "Overseas Campus" when they visited. Unexpectedly, this magazine became the most popular reading material in this cell. They asked Pastor Liu's church to regularly send "Overseas Campus" to them as materials for the reading groups in their cells.
Pastor Liu also shared that among Chinese students in Thailand, "Overseas Campus" is the most popular publication. The local Chinese church posted a map of the church in "Overseas Campus" and distributed it to the international students. In this way, the international student fellowship was started.
Advice to writers
Question: Based on your previous description, it can be seen that literary work is the main axis of the overall ministry of American Campus Fellowship. From Taiwan Campus Fellowship, Christian Messengers Association to today's "Overseas Campus", your literary work is all based on Plant and build, what advice do you have for us, the more junior literary workers?
answer:For writers, I would like to encourage you with a passage from Philip Brooks:
Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger people!
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks.
Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle.
Everyday you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
Don’t ask God to give you an easy life, but ask God to make you a stronger person;
It does not require power equal to the work, but work equal to the power.
If this is the case, it is not what you do that becomes a miracle, but you yourself are the miracle.
Every day, by God's grace, you will be amazed at the abundant life you have.
Literary work is a long road that requires "not asking for applause, but asking for dedication." Unlike other ministries, we will not see rewards as quickly as other ministries. However, this is a profound and far-reaching ministry, and our dedication will be remembered.
Of course, serious study and training must not be ignored by those who are interested in serving the written word. The Kingdom Resource Center (KRC) Literary Camp held every summer in Pennsylvania is a very good opportunity to build equipment.
Q: How can readers of KRC magazine pray for you and work with you?
answer:
1. Raise the pen
Writing (writing, translation, interviewing, book introduction)
Write a response (to the editor, to the author, to co-workers)
Write a donation (check, credit card, stock, money order)
2. Raise your hands
Request reading (for yourself, for the church, for relatives and friends)
Make a phone call (advice, encouragement, recommendation)
Deliver (deliver this magazine to the people you care about most)
3. Lift your heart
Concern (praying for co-workers, ministries, authors, China, and the world)
Working together (coordinating, helping and cooperating with each other)
Be diligent (actively participate and become a volunteer)
Walking together with the same heart is so beautiful
Q: Finally, could you please tell us about the joys and sorrows of the two of you who have been working together for many years?
answer:After Zheng Chiying and I got married in 1976, we started living and serving as husband and wife as co-workers in accordance with the principles of Taiwan Campus Fellowship (both husband and wife are full-time co-workers). In 1980, we were invited by the American Messenger Association to open a study room and edit the Messenger magazine. We jumped in and settled in a foreign country, and we became dependent on each other. When I founded the magazine "Overseas Campus" in 1992, I first used my home as an office, which can be said to be a complete integration of work, family, and life.
There is much sweetness in this way of working as an inseparable couple over the years. We have endless topics in common, time for constant communication, communication, and growth, unforgettable experiences of facing crises and opportunities together, and the life experience of two people becoming one. Since we have been clearly called since college, and we also have a strong vision and sense of mission for literary work, it is natural for us to serve in this way.
Of course, there are also some difficulties in this process. Sometimes I am busy with work, publishing deadlines are imminent, and I often have no time to take care of family matters. Every time it is a national holiday or long weekend, I often have to attend camp meetings. My two daughters often complain: "Why can't we have normal holidays like other families?" Sometimes the couple They have different opinions on work. How do they deal with the conflict? How to distinguish clearly between work roles and the relationship between husband and wife? These are lessons that some co-workers as husband and wife need to learn.
This year (2006) is our thirtieth wedding anniversary. It’s so beautiful to look back at the grace God has given us. Time is like the carriage of the Amish People in Pennsylvania passing by on the ups and downs of the road. We sincerely hope that we will continue to let God control and guide us as we move forward in our lifetime.
American Campus Evangelical Fellowship’s Vision, Mission and Various Ministries
●Vision and mission
Through texts, information and training, we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ among Chinese intellectuals, especially Chinese scholars, shape the spiritual life of Christians, cultivate campus ministry talents, and deliver the missionary mission of "the gospel into China and the gospel out of China" .
●Main ministry
With text as the main axis, the website, training, missionary work, research and other ministries work in parallel. For example: training courses in various locations are based on the seven major training materials we publish—faith, theology, Bible, ministry, life, leadership, and mission. That is to say, "the words come first, and the ministry follows." In this way, we will not focus on one and lose the other, but will complement each other.
1. Overseas campus magazine: a publication that preaches the gospel to Chinese scholars with contemporary information and a spiritual, rational and emotional style.
2. Lifting Eyes Magazine: Aiming at Chinese scholars and overseas Chinese Christians who participate in ministry, it builds bridges between the two and faces the times and missions together.
3. Training materials for Chinese scholars: Published seven series of training courses for Chinese scholars.
4. Book series, brochures, ministry manuals, and party materials: publish various publications targeted at students and suitable for campus ministry.
5. Websites, videos, CDs, and online correspondence courses: develop multiple media that are conducive to student ministry.
6. Training ministry: Targeting devotees, authors, campus and church co-workers, focusing on group Bible study, spiritual shaping, and service path (calling, service concept, family, missionary); regions include North America and Europe , China, New Zealand and Australia.
7. Missionary work: prayer fellowship, talent promotion, and preparation of materials.
8. Research: scholar ministry, apologetics topics.
Su Wenfeng’s effective scriptures for serving
1. When confirming your calling:
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
2. In times of weakness:
He said to me: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I prefer to boast in my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest on me. For the sake of Christ I take joy in weaknesses, in insults, in distress, in persecutions, in distress; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (1 Corinthians 12:9-10)
3. In the confrontation of worldviews:
For from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen! (Romans 11:36)
4. When wisdom is needed:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, and that the eyes of your hearts may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling. What are the riches of the glory of the inheritance in the saints; and how great is the knowledge of His power toward us who believe. (Ephesians 1:17-19)
5. In spiritual formation:
Abide in me, and I in you. If a branch does not abide in the vine, it cannot bear fruit; neither do you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4)
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Welcome to inquire about American Campus Gospel Fellowship ministry and training materials:
Email: info@cefocm.org
Website: www.oc.org
Journalist profile
Yu Guoliang was born in Guangzhou and grew up in Hong Kong. After graduating from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, he went to the United States to obtain his master's and doctoral degrees, and is currently engaged in research at NASA. Articles are often published in "Feiyang" magazine, most recently "Church Earthquake" co-translated with Gao Lili and published by Feiying; "Shadow in the Morning Heart" co-authored with teachers and students of the Chinese Literature Camp and published by Tianen.