Dear Friends,

This morning I visited a Chinese Three Self church here in Beijing and met with the senior pastor who had just finished a worship service in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. The church was founded at the turn of the last century and as you can imagine, has experienced turbulent times. Suffering in a big way is part of that history.

Although I knew Easter was coming, it was really not much on my mind. Until this morning I had seen no sign of it anywhere here in Asia/China, and with the hectic schedule I have, it was perhaps not surprising it slipped out of my consciousness. However, this morning changed that and as I am reflecting on the suffering of Christ for us, I was reminded that there are still lots of people today who are suffering for their faith in Christ in ways we cannot imagine. It reminded me of Paul, who wanted to know Christ at a new level, and even experience "the fellowship of his suffering." I wondered if that really is something I would ask for. Would I even be willing to go through with it if I had to choose between suffering or denying Christ?

All this pondering reminded me also of magazine and newspaper reports published very recently in Germany by heavyweight theologians who question more and more that Christ really died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. (Quote" Immer mehr protestantische Theologen äußern öffentlich ihre Zweifel darüber, dass der Tod Jesu am Kreuz als Sühneopfer zur Vergebung unserer Sünden zu verstehen sei" Die Welt, 4/8/09.)

There is no question that Christians I met in Nanjing, in Shanghai, or here in Beijing have no such doubts, and want to build churches where Christ's death and his resurrection are proclaimed on a regular basis, and who dream of reaching the masses with this message. They were full of praise for the support we provide, not the least via the GLS. It pained me to caution them that we may not be able to offer them the GLS this year because of financial constraints. As if to encourage me and us to proceed with it anyhow, one person here gave me a check in support of the GLS. His family has been blessed greatly by the GLS and they want others to experience this transforming event as well. What an encouragement. Thank you Lord!

Before traveling to Asia we had a meeting with all affiliate country leaders and regional partners in Germany to discuss our plans for this year and it was exciting to hear how they plan to grow GLS attendance in spite of the very difficult economic conditions that exist all over the world. I still have visits to 5 countries in Asia ahead of me and I am sure I will experience the same attitude in all of them.

I look forward to experiencing Good Friday in Hong Kong and then celebrating Easter at our GLS partner church in Singapore. It's good to remember what Bill recently said in one of his e-news that, "resurrection power and hope are still available for normal people who humble themselves before God and ask Him for help."

Hallelujah!

In His Service,

Gary Schwammlein
Executive Vice President
WCA International Ministry