Rev Dr John Dunlop Launches

MADE IN CHINA - but not as you know it!

Friday September 5th saw the official launch of Prof Laurence Kirkpatrick’s remarkable new book; ‘Made in China – but not as you know it.’ The book is of very high quality, not only in terms of its presentation but also its content.

‘Laurence has a rare gift of reducing complex material to an accessible but accurate size,’ said Rev Dr John Dunlop who was the guest speaker on the occasion.

The publication of the book follows a recent trip to China by the author, which involved visiting a number of churches. What really impressed him was the rate of growth, estimated at between 15,000 – 30,000 conversions to Christianity each day, that is the equivalent to a good-sized congregation on average, every hour!

Many Christians in the West have the idea that the registered ‘Three Self Church’ (Self Governing, Self Propagating, Self Funding), in China is a dead structure; ‘Nothing could be further from the truth,’ Prof Kirkpatrick said. ‘We saw vibrant congregations of over 5,000 people, enthusiastically praising God.’

One of the guests at the Official Launch was Joey McCausland, she was presented with a signed copy of the book by the author. She served as a missionary in Manchuria from 1937 until 1941, and was visibly moved as Rev Dr John Dunlop reminded his listeners of the ‘dark days of 1966 – 67 when China was in turmoil and news of the church was hard to come by and what little what was heard was of persecution and courage.’

He referred to Dr Jack Weir who was born in China and who was expelled. He quoted Dr Weir; ‘When Mao locked out the missionaries, he locked in the church.’

It is thought by some that there might have been 1 million Christians in China when the missionaries were expelled, now it is estimated that there could be 130 million; ‘China’s springtime has come,’ added Dr Dunlop, ‘but not without difficulty.’

He told of a new printing press that began operating in May of this year; ‘It will produce 12million Bibles each year, with the help of the United Bible Societies. China is a land of change, increasing freedom and repression.’

In spite of the good news that is emerging from China, Dr Dunlop issued a note of caution against complacency. Quoting from The Tablet, he said that Bishop Julius Jia Zhigho, an underground Catholic bishop in Hebei Province, was arrested on August 24th 2008 by government officials and taken away for a ‘summer tour’ – the officials added; ‘He will not be back soon.’

Dr Dunlop ended by summarising the book; ‘This is a remarkable story about some outstanding people and the generous blessing of God on their vision and commitment. Between 1869 and 1951, ninety one Irish Presbyterian missionaries worked in Manchuria in North East China on the borders of Russia and North Korea. Forty-eight of them were women. Some of these missionaries, with their spouses and children are buried there.’

He then thanked Prof Kirkpatrick for making the story accessible, the story of the church in China; ‘Missionaries sowed the seed, God gave the increase.’   

The book is available to buy in Faith Mission and Wesley Owen bookshops, but you can also read reviews, read extracts and add you own review, and you can buy your copy online: Logon to www.madeinchinabook.co.uk

While there, why don’t you add a comment or your own review of the book – but you will have to buy it first!

Proceeds from the sale of the books after costs have been covered will go to Release International.