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* An unusual title for a book about a man from China - it is a nickname given to him as a mark of respect but truly reflects where his heart lies. Brother Yun has been in the midst of an amazing move of the Holy Spirit in China, much like we read in the New Testament in the years following the first Pentecost. This book should be read by every British Christian – to learn of the commitment and dedication of people who are poor in material things, facing imprisonment and torture if they did not renounce their faith, but considering that Jesus was so real to them that even this paled into insignificance – it must challenge us to think about our religious freedom and opportunities, and to compare this with how seriously we live out our faith.

Some history is required – from 1949 persecution of Christians began in China and by 1958 missionaries had been evicted and churches closed. Of course some Christians remained but they were alone and invisible, It might have been thought that this environment would have resulted in a further decline in Christianity – not so. Through revelation akin to that experienced by Paul on the Road to Damascus, in the 1970s the Holy Spirit communicated with men and women who were to be key in an extraordinary explosion in the house church movement. One of these was a young, half-starved boy from a farming village – Liu Zhenying, later known as Brother Yun. Over the next decades, the only way Christians could meet was in small groups, always on the move, to avoid detection by the authorities. Their commitment and faith was tested in ways that we cannot understand or even imagine. These people had nothing and no-one they could rely on except God Himself, and they found that this relationship was worth more than life itself. This amazing time was accompanied by healings of all kinds, miraculous transportation, like Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8), and impossible escapes, like Paul, from prison. By 2000 the number of Christians had grown phenomenally, to tens of millions. These recent converts are now supporting their fellow believers in going out from China into other parts of Asia as missionaries.

This book is an essential read because it shows us that God is active supernaturally even in our day. If we acknowledge Jesus as our Saviour then we must want this reality for ourselves and our family, friends and neighbours – we all know those who need miraculous healing. Can we experience such spiritual richness and depths without persecution? I suspect not. But if our country moves further away from its Christian heritage then in 50 or so years time the younger ones amongst us, and our children may find themselves in this situation. The testimonies in this book give us hope that if we stand apart when required the rewards will far outweigh whatever we may face.

Sara Crowley
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