China Compass

Happy Birthday John G. Paton (May 24, 1824) + My Deportation Day (May 25, 2018)

China Compass — Sat, 23 May 2026 11:10:00 +0000

As Americans celebrate Memorial Day, I'm busy traveling the South Seas (Vanuatu), so today's show (#200!) is a mashup of two shorter bonus episodes I recorded exactly two years ago, when the podcast was just getting started.

The first discusses John G. Paton on his birthday (May 24, 1824), as well as a little bit about his contemporary Hudson Taylor.

In the second, I spill the beans about the day I was deported from NW China in 2018.

Note, these have been lightly edited from the old originals, but some 2024 or otherwise time-bound references are sure to remain. My apologies in advance.

Part I: The Autobiography of John G. Paton - JohnGPaton.com

Part II: Deportation Day - Unbeaten.vip

Here's the link to the full text version of Chapter Seven from my book, which I also mentioned:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/deportation-day-may-25-2018

Unbeaten: Confronting the Lies (and Laughter) of the Chinese Communist Police

This is the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018: Unbeaten.vip

Please follow/subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite platform. Also check out my books and everything else we’re involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

The Word is Not Bound: Guarding the Church in China (w/ Brett from Sydney)│Prison Pulpit #83

China Compass — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My Australian friend Brett Lee-Price recently published a timely article about China’s need for solid theology, and what some Australians are doing about it. I’ve been meaning to share this for a few months now, and today felt like the time after meeting with Brett on Monday during a whirlwind week down under.

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Tulip Publishing

https://tulippublishing.com.au/

The Word is Not Bound: Guarding the Church in China

https://reformata.org.au/2026/02/12/the-word-is-not-bound-guarding-the-church-in-china/

Follow China Compass

Thank you for listening! Subscribe & leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! And don’t forget to visit PrayGiveGo.us for books + Heb. 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

Australia: Giant Koalas, Garibaldi, and “Drunk” John Paton (+ Trump in China)

China Compass — Sat, 16 May 2026 12:54:00 +0000

Recorded in three parts, today’s podcast was recorded in Victoria and South Australia, as I attempted to follow John Paton’s footsteps from his “crowning adventure” Down Under in 1862. The bulk of the show was recorded in my car just below the “Giant Koala” on Australia’s “Great Western Highway.”

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!

On Today's Podcast:

The Autobiography of John G. Paton: Part I (JohnGPaton.com)

Part II will be out sometime in the next year, and is what I am working on now…

Classic Missionary Biographies that I have edited and helped to publish:

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-may-17-23-2026

Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

Kidnapped in Kuala Lumpur (One Year Ago Today)│Prison Pulpit #82

China Compass — Thu, 14 May 2026 07:56:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, which was originally recorded on this day last year (2025) as #30 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series. I'm leaving Malaysia today for more than three months, so it seems fitting to post a final Malaysia-themed episode.

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China. To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

For a few weeks now, I've been telling the story of my arrest and interrogation eight years ago…

Get my book and other special content @ UNBEATEN.VIP!

Today I want to discuss the unique and potentially dangerous situation for Christians in Malaysia:

Christian Pastors Abducted in Malaysia

https://www.uscirf.gov/religious-prisoners-conscience/forb-victims-database/raymond-koh

https://www.uscirf.gov/religious-prisoners-conscience/forb-victims-database/joshua-hilmy

A Look at Malaysia’s Laws Against Sharing Christ With Muslims

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Malaysia

https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/index.php/s/151363

https://www.dw.com/en/malaysia-to-deport-christian-finns-for-proselytizing/a-46464573

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Follow or subscribe to China Compass wherever you are listening. You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina . us or send me a DM on X: @chinaadventures. Hebrews 13:3

Deportation Purgatory + Mega Churches in Muslim Malaysia

China Compass — Sun, 10 May 2026 02:59:00 +0000

Classic Missionary Biographies that I have edited and helped to publish:

Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

Today’s podcast once again takes me down memory lane, as I share memories from the aftermath of my arrest and interrogation in China 8 years ago this week, as I wandered the streets of NW China in deportation purgatory.

Today’s podcast is sort of an addendum to what I describe in my little memoir:

Unbeaten

Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China

Unbeaten.vip

This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-may-10-16-2026

Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

Critical Iran Outreach Update + Strategic China Training│Prison Pulpit #81

China Compass — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:17:00 +0000

I’m finally back home in Malaysia (at least for a little while) after a truly “round-the-world” trip, and today I want to briefly cover a few different topics including a critical ministry update in Iran and a strategic opportunity in China later this year.

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

The goal is to remind people to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches: “Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them.” We’ve looked at Wang Yi and Early Rain Church’s writings in the aftermath of their arrest and attack in 2018, but I’ve also regularly turned to other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand, to give us a voice literally from prison. (Here are some free PDF books by Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/)

Iran: Critical Update

https://email.revelationmedia.org/iran-critical-update-a-letter-from-steve-cleary-

Strategic China Gathering

Major project in 2026 to equip China's underground church. $50k+ need!

How to Give? MCI3.org

Follow China Compass

Remembering My Chinese Arrest and Interrogation (8 Years Ago This Week)

China Compass — Sat, 02 May 2026 23:35:00 +0000

Today’s podcast once again takes me down memory lane, as I share memories from my arrest and interrogation in China 8 years ago this week (recorded last year on the 7th anniversary).

Today’s podcast is sort of a Prologue to what I describe in my little memoir:

Unbeaten

Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China

Unbeaten.vip

Classic Missionary Biographies that I have edited and helped to publish:

Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-may-3-9-2026

Reflections On Being Deported + Fighting Complacency│Prison Pulpit #80

China Compass — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:29:00 +0000

I’m running out of time this week, but managed to record a few thoughts from a small lounge in the Houston airport, on my way to teach in Lima, Peru, on the (almost) anniversary of my arrest in China.

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

How to Give? MCI3.org (Major project in 2026 to equip China's underground church. $50k need!)

Follow China Compass

Uncareful: The Mistakes That Led To My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

China Compass — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 08:50:00 +0000

Today’s podcast was recorded in a church parking lot in Enfield, CT. The show travels down memory lane, as I try to remember more details from the days leading up to my arrest and interrogation on the night of April 30, 2018, including a look at a number of things I did wrong that likely led to my capture by the Chinese Communist police.

Today’s podcast is sort of a Prologue to what I describe in my little memoir:

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Classic Missionary Biographies that I have edited and helped to publish:

Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-apr-26-may-2-2026

How to Give?

We have a major project this year to train and equip the missionary arm of China's underground church. $50k need!

MCI3.org

From Madrid: The Spanish Inquisition & Martyrdom of Mateo Salado│Prison Pulpit #79

China Compass — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:00:00 +0000

I’m in Spain for a few days and today’s podcast looks at a particularly dark era of Spain’s persecutory past, and how it connects to the man who became the first protestant martyr in Peru.

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

The goal is to remind people to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches: “Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them.” We’ve looked at Wang Yi and Early Rain Church’s writings in the aftermath of their arrest and attack in 2018, but I’ve also regularly turned to other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand, to give us a voice literally from prison. (Here are some free PDF books from Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/)

How to Give? MCI3.org

We have a major project this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church. $50k need!

Follow China Compass

Gorilla Hunting in Uganda & the Chinese Slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (The Africa Episode)

China Compass — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:03:00 +0000

Today’s unique podcast starts in Africa, strolls through the Chinese slums of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and winds up in far NW China!

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Protestant Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

Deported from Egypt: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/139

Two Days in Uganda: "Gorilla Hunting" & "Gorilla Wars"

Civil War Between Chimps in Uganda

https://notthebee.com/article/the-civil-war-between-chimps-in-africa-is-the-funniest-thing-on-the-internet-right-now-weve-got-the-latest-troop-movements

There are 56 Ethnicities in China and 55 are Getting Squashed

https://www.economist.com/china/2026/03/09/there-are-56-ethnicities-in-china-and-55-are-getting-squashed

This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-apr-19-25-2026

Praying from Indonesia to Ethiopia (+ Pakistan, Eritrea, and Iran)│Prison Pulpit #78

China Compass — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:50:00 +0000

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

(Here are some free PDF books from Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/)

Help Print More Gospel Books in Iran TODAY

https://revelationmedia.com/Iran-Comic-Books

Who Cares About the Iranian People?

Oil is at the center of this, not freedom. That is the uncomfortable truth. The nations pressuring Iran to make a deal are doing so because their economies cannot absorb the current disruption. The nations quietly hoping the deal fails are doing so because the disruption benefits them. The Iranian people, who would benefit most from a genuine political transformation, are the variable that nobody with power is primarily optimizing for.

That does not mean transformation is impossible. It means it will happen, if it happens, as a byproduct of decisions made primarily on the basis of energy economics, military positioning, and national self interest. Sometimes the right outcome arrives through the wrong reasons. I pray the Iranian opposition is ready to seize the opportunity to free themselves if and when the chance is given.

How to Give? MCI3.org

We have a major project this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church. $50k need!

Follow China Compass

Xi Jinping: Taiwanese Freedom Threatens Peace + China & Iran + World’s Longest Flight

China Compass — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:38:00 +0000

Today’s podcast covers a wide range of topics, starting with the Pakistani “Peace Talks”, China’s motives in the Iran conflict, hacking China, a few China travel related stories including the longest flight in the world, comparing the cost of “everyday” items in China vs. US, China’s take on Taiwanese “independence”, and finallyall the Chinese cities to pray for this week.

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Protestant Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

The World's Longest One-Stop Flight Is Up To 29 Hours

https://simpleflying.com/worlds-longest-one-stop-29-hours-flight-explained/

20 flights: Some Chinese travellers stockpiled air tickets before fuel surcharge hike

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/he-booked-over-20-flights-some-chinese-travellers-stockpile-air-tickets-before-fuel-surcharge-hike

The Cost of Everyday Things in China vs. the U.S.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/cost-of-living-in-china-vs-us/

Xi declares Taiwan independence a threat to peace

https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/04/10/beijing-ramps-up-pressure-as-xi-declares-taiwan-independence-a-threat-to-peace/215822

Xi Jinping meets new face of Taiwan's opposition as US and Japan watch

https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/taiwan-tensions/xi-jinping-meets-new-face-of-taiwan-s-opposition-as-us-and-japan-watch

This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-apr-12-18-2026

The Six "Divisions" of China’s Persecuted Church│Prison Pulpit #77

China Compass — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:48:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, currently in Indonesia as this podcast drops. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

(Here are some free PDF books from Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/)

If Revival Comes: A Major Shake-Up Awaits China’s Church

https://www.chinasource.org/articles/if-revival-comes-a-major-shake-up-awaits-chinas-church/

How to Give? MCI3.org

We have a major project this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church. $50k need!

Follow China Compass

Tibet on Two Wheels: No Lights + Flat Tire + Below Zero (w/ Jack in South Africa)

China Compass — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

This week I had a conversation with an old buddy of mine from South Africa who nearly died (froze to death) with me 20 years ago this week. We talked through what happened, recounting the difficulties, but glorifying God for his providence.

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Protestant Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

A Mission in the Mountains of Tibet (Mar 28, 2006)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/into-hidden-valleys

Runaway Van in Tibet @ 14,700 Feet (Dec 29, 2010)

https://www.patreon.com/posts/146773358

This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-apr-5-11-2026

A Reminder to Remember Kidnapped Pilot Kevin Rideout + The Savior’s Thirst│Prison Pulpit #76

China Compass — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, at home in Malaysia. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

(Here are some free PDF books from Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/)

Nigeria Back in the News (Church Attacks)

https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/Palm-Sunday-Attack-Shakes-Nigerian-Community/

Kidnapped Pilot in Niger Still Missing (Kevin Rideout)

https://www.christianpost.com/news/kidnapped-missionary-kevin-rideout-remains-missing.html

The Savior’s Thirst + A Reminder to Remember Kidnapped Kevin Rideout

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-saviors-thirst

How to Give? MCI3.org

We have a major project this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church. $50k need!

Follow China Compass

Is Your Password Safe in Hong Kong? │China's "Superpower" Bid Lacks Two Things │That One Time I Got Caught Smuggling

China Compass — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:30:00 +0000

After a few personal updates from these past couple of days since returning to Malaysia, I begin by talking about the new Hong Kong security law that empowers gov’t to search phones and other devices, and why this isn’t quite the big deal as some want to make it seem. Also, I talk about Canada’s search of my phone. (7:54). Next, we take a few minutes for a fascinating look at global gasoline prices (22:05). Then, we look at the REALITY of China’s energy consumption (Hint: its not as Green as it seems)(26:50). Another well-written article from India provides a helpful take on the two things China lacks as it attempts to grow into a world superpower (32:19). Next to last, we work through an eye-opening take by a Chinese writer for a Japanese newspaper, comparing China’s current economic state to Japan’s back before the real-estate bubble burst 30+ years ago (38:50). Last but not least, while looking briefly at this week’s Pray for China cities, I tell the story of the one and only time I was caught red-handed smuggling Christian literature from Hong Kong into China (47:04).

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

China may have all the attributes of a superpower—but it lacks two things

https://www.theweek.in/columns/prasannan/2026/03/21/china-a-sleeping-kumbhakarna.html

China’s housing crisis is worse than it seems

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/07/06/world/chinas-housing-crisis-is-worse-than-it-seems/

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-29-apr-4-2026

A Pastor’s Prison Birthday (+ Covert Birthdays Under Communism) │Prison Pulpit #75

China Compass — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:57:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, finally back home with my family in Malaysia. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Richard Wurmbrand’s birthday was yesterday, March 24th (1909).

Today we will look at some of his “birthday writings” from prison…

Richard Wurmbrand Remembers Birthdays in Communist Romania

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/a-pastors-prison-birthday

And find out more about Michael Wurmbrand’s ongoing ministry (and free books!)...

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/

How to Give? MCI3.org ($50k need!)

We have a major project later this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church.

Follow China Compass

Dispatches from Calcutta + Rocket Man's "Election" + India's Complex Affairs with China & Tibet

China Compass — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:14:00 +0000

Today’s podcast begins back home in Malaysia, then picks up in Calcutta (3:58), followed by dispatches from both Agartala (12:22) and later Siliguri. After making fun of North Korea and China’s national “elections” (15:50), we take a deeper look at China and India’s relationship (25:52), followed by China’s efforts to (literally) silence the languages of the minorities in China (43:51). Lastly, our brief look at this week’s Pray for China cities happens to include (without prior planning) a call to pray for Tibet (55:17).

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Who Won North Korea’s Recent “Elections”?

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/kim-jong-un-wins-99-93-votes-in-north-korea-parliamentary-elections-remaining-0-07-went-to-11236508

China’s dispute with India over Arunachal Pradesh

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-s-dispute-india-over-arunachal-pradesh

Tibet in India’s China Calculus

https://www.orfonline.org/research/tibet-in-india-s-china-calculus

China’s new language law could prove fatal for minority tongues

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-putonghua-china-common-language-law/

China Requires Minorities to Learn Mandarin

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9meeek051o

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-22-28-2026

Three Days in Dhaka: Praying for the "Most Crowded" Nation on Earth (Bangladesh)│Prison Pulpit #74

China Compass — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:10:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, recording today in downtown Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Thoughts on Bangladesh and How to Pray…

When I first started learning about Bangladesh in 2002, there were only about 130+ million people. Today that number is closer to 180! Let me help you with an example of just how crowded it is… similar in size to Georgia, Iowa, and Alabama, but with 15 or 25x more people!s

**Bangladesh is the most densely populated sovereign nation larger than 1,000 square miles**

- It has a population density of roughly 3,538 per sq. mile (1400/km)!

- Virtually all higher-density entries are tiny city-states, territories, or micro-nations far below 1,000 square miles, including: Macau (~33 km², ~22,000/km²), Monaco (~2 km², ~19,000/km²), Singapore (~710 km², ~8,225/km²), and Hong Kong (~1,100 km², ~7,000/km²).

- Among sovereign countries (or comparable large entities) exceeding the size threshold, no other nation surpasses Bangladesh. Next in line for larger countries include places like Taiwan (~636/km²), the Netherlands (~548/km²), and South Korea (~529/km²).

Islam growing faster than anything else
Christians converted from Islam are growing, but still a tiny minority (200k)
Pray for more laborers, open doors, boldness, and protection from the evil one
As always, put yourself “in their shoes” as you pray…

How to Give? MCI3.org ($50k need!)

We have a major project later this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church.

Follow China Compass

“Rocket Man” Strikes Again: Why Doesn’t China Remove North Korea’s Dictator? (From Hyderabad, India)

China Compass — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:08:00 +0000

This week we start by looking at Rocket Man’s latest missile launch, and why China lets him stay around, followed by more thoughts on China and Iran, and then China’s attempts to hack Starlink. Lastly, this week’s Pray for China cities includes a ton of stories and memories.

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

North Korea Launches Missiles Towards Japan

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/10-launches-raise-alarm-all-about-north-korea-ballistic-missile-firings-towards-the-sea-of-japan-101773476107021.html

Xi Torn Between Iran and US

https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/china-up-close/analysis-xi-torn-between-long-ties-with-khameneis-and-us-relations

Starlink Creates Hurdles In China’s Plans to Someday Overwhelm Taiwan

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/starlinks-role-in-ukraine-war-set-the-chinese-thinking-about-hurdles-to-its-possible-seizure-of

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-15-21-2026

Pray for Chinese Christians in EXILE + Chinese Missionaries ABROAD│Prison Pulpit #73

China Compass — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:40:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben.

Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day of the week.

Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Visit PrayGiveGo.us for Patreon, Substack, Books & everything else!

The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated & Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why the Prison Pulpit? To remind people to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches: “Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them.” We’ve looked at Wang Yi and Early Rain Church’s writings in the aftermath of their arest in 2018, but I’ve also regularly turned to other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand, to give us a voice literally from prison.

Let me recommend a little book (Return of the Raider/The Amazing Story of Sergeant Jacob Deshazer), that I was tempted to cover in a full Prison Pulpit episode: https://jacobdeshazer.com/return-of-the-raider

The Middle East continues to be in the spotlight this week. There is obviously much we do know to pray for, but I want to remind you that there is also so much we DO NOT KNOW. For instance, Iran’s regime-induced internet blackout keeps us from hearing much at all from the majority of Iranians who are cheering on the potential fall of the Islamic regime. Let’s not forget them. My guess is if communication were functioning normally, we’d be inundated with positive messages from within Iran. One report I saw estimated that in Iran it's more like 95% against the Ayatollahs and 5% for. But we really just don’t know.

Finally, we come to our topic of the day, Chinese Christians in Exile and Serving Abroad…

I have to be careful here. I simply cannot give up too much info about the folks I’m going to mention, so bear with me as I search for the right words…

- Chinese missionaries are being sent to most of western China, almost all of Asia (sans India), and much of the Middle East, and they “fit in” much better than Westerners in many of these places

- They are being trained in much the same way Western missionaries are trained to work cross-culturally, not in a matter of days, but years, in strategic places both inside and outside of China

- Some of them struggle to leave China (passports confiscated), but others cannot return, as they will be arrested upon arrival with their passports confiscated for the foreseeable future

- We have a major project later this year to help the missionary arm of the Chinese Underground Church

Strategic Opportunity to Give: MCI3.org ($50,000 need!)

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Thank you for listening! Subscribe & leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! And don’t forget to visit PrayGiveGo.us for books +. Heb. 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

Xi Avoids Confronting Trump (Because He Needs Him) + China's Fundamental Problem

China Compass — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:35:00 +0000

This week we begin by looking at an in-depth piece by an astute Japanese observer about China’s current bargaining strategy with the US, balancing Iran and its own internal struggles (3:51), followed by a more cynical view from China hawk Gordon Chang (19:53). Then, after taking a break to look at one aspect of China’s current real-estate troubles (24:57), I try to explain the motivation behind all that China does (or does not do) in the world (40:25). Lastly, we look at all of the Pray for China cities for the coming week (48:18).

Book Recommendation: “I'm currently reading [The Millionaire Missionary] and am really enjoying it. What a powerful story of radical obedience and sacrifice. I'm planning to recommend it to the young men I'm currently mobilizing for the 10/40 Window—I think Borden's example will be incredibly inspiring for them as they consider their own call to the unreached.”

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Why Xi Can’t Say No To Trump Despite Iran Strikes (Paywall)

https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/china-up-close/analysis-why-xi-can-t-say-no-to-trump-visit-despite-the-iran-strikes

Gordon Chang is (Mostly) Right This Time

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/gordon-chang-urges-us-treat-china-enemy-combatant-warns-subs-operating-very-close-us

I Miss China’s Cheap Apartments

https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/03/03/cheap-apartments-spawn-retire-early-trend-amid-chinas-slowing-economy/

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-mar-8-14-2026

Pray for Persecuted Christians in the Middle East + Open Doors/More Laborers│Prison Pulpit #72

China Compass — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:10:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day of the week. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Visit PrayGiveGo.us for Patreon, Substack, Books & everything else!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

A lot has happened in the Middle East this week. There is much to pray for, but I want to focus specifically on reminding us all to pray for the believers in the various countries in the middle of (or even in the periphery of) the current conflict:

Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (those are just off the top of my head, although I think that covers most of the nations either bordering Iran or somehow involved in the conflict).

I took a few minutes to put these nations into four groups, based on the similarities as to how they treat local Christians, or missionaries, within their borders. (Note: I am not an “expert” on the Middle East).

Listen to the full podcast or read more for free on my Substack:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-persecuted-christians-in

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China: Not ‘Notified’ In Advance of Iran Attack + Grok's "Who's Who" of Dictators

China Compass — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:52:00 +0000

On this special bonus episode we take a look at how China is responding to the decapitation of Iran’s leadership (from its official propaganda media outlet), as well as who Grok sees as the world leaders who have the most in common with Iran’s now dead former leader.

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Grok’s “Who’s Who” of Dictators

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/which-world-leaders-are-most-like

China was not notified in advance regarding US military action, says Foreign Ministry Lady

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356092.shtml

China condemns killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356045.shtml

Chinese AI: Intl community should take a clearer and firmer stand in opposing law of the jungle

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356042.shtml

Analyst: US plans weeks-long assault on Iran, but can its ammunition stockpile sustain it?

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356074.shtml

Open Letter of Chinese Islamic Association President

https://un.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/chinaandun/securitycouncil/regionalhotspots/mideast/ylk/200902/t20090214_8417803.htm

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-1-7-2026

Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to give to our China ministry. Last but not least, for (almost) everything else we’re doing visit PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore ask the Lord for more. Talk again soon!

US Air Force Pilot Arrested AFTER “Serving” 2 Years in Beijing (+ World’s Biggest China Importer?)

China Compass — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 08:50:00 +0000

This week we begin by looking at who imports the most from China (5:17), why Chinese spend so much money on food (13:30), and Dictator Xi’s next CCP purge (18:38). Then, we take a deep dive (23:00) into the breaking story of the former US Air Force pilot who was arrested in February after returning from 2+ years of sharing military secrets with the Communist regime in Beijing. Lastly, we look at this week’s diverse list of Chinese cities to be praying for (42:36)!

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

How Dependent is Each Country on Chinese Imports?

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-countries-most-dependent-china-imports/

Why Chinese People Spend So Much On Food (Paywall)

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/02/26/why-chinese-people-spend-so-much-on-food

Xi’s Next Purge Immanent (Paywall)

https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/china-up-close/analysis-rumors-abound-over-xi-s-next-purge-target-ahead-of-npc

Former US Airforce Pilot Arrested for Training Chinese Military Pilots

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-us-air-force-pilot-arrested-providing-defense-services-chinese-military

Here's a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-1-7-2026

Praying for Missionary Kids (MKs) + Departed/Deported Missionary Families│Prison Pulpit #71

China Compass — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:56:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Please send any questions or comments to our new, secure email: chinacompass@privacyport.com. You can also find China Compass on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which allows for donations as well as podcast “collections.” Last but not least, nearly everything else we are involved in can be found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

This week we are at a camp in Thailand for MKs; that is, missionary kids. Our youngest daughter is participating and it strikes me how fast the time has gone…

I crossposted today's podcast to my Substack, if you'd like my notes: ChinaCall.Substack.com

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Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! There’s also a donation link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to support our China ministry. For everything else, visit PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

23 Ways You're Already Living in the Chinese Century (WIRED) + Canada/Britain Granted Visa Free Access to China

China Compass — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

On this week’s China Compass, after looking at China’s newly opened (visa-free) door to Canadian and British nationals, as well as a personal admonition to visit China, we work through what might as well be a Chinese propaganda article from Wired.com, listing 23 ways we are (supposedly) already living in the Chinese century. I sure do hope they got most of these wrong!

My Missions Resources:

The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)

The Memoirs of William Milne: First Protestant Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)

China Grants Visa-Free Access to Canadian and British Nationals

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/02/15/china-to-grant-visa-free-policy-to-canadian-and-british-nationals-from-feb-17

As Trump Retreats from Climate Goals, China is Becoming a Green Superpower

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-8d2b6944-4f7a-45b4-96fd-2d92499ff97d

23 Ways You're Already Living in the Chinese Century

https://www.wired.com/china-issue/

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-feb-22-28-2026

Wife Requests Prayer for Imprisoned Husband in NW China (+ Intercede for Iranian Christians)│Prison Pulpit #70

China Compass — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:20:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Please send any questions or comments to our new, secure email: chinacompass@privacyport.com. You can also find China Compass on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also lets me sort episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the shows on a certain topic or person.

Last but not least, nearly everything else we are involved in can be found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Receive prayer requests like the following in your inbox by subscribing @ ChinaPartnership.org:

This week, we’ll pray for imprisoned Christians in Northwest China. Sister J is the wife of Pastor S, who was arrested in 2023. She shared that on the arrest day they were “terrified—really scared,” and said, “I couldn’t even pray. All day I just kept repeating: ‘Lord, what should I do? Please help me.’” Pray that the Lord would meet Sister J with His peace, calm her fear, and gently guide her one step at a time.

Sister J shared an update: the appeal has concluded, and the original sentence was upheld. Please pray for Pastor S as he enters this next season in prison—pray for endurance and hope, and that the Lord would open practical doors for communication, needed support, and opportunities to encourage others.

Sister J described the early detention hardships of her husband: “During the first three months—the lawyer wasn’t allowed to meet him,” and “he didn’t have proper clothing and supplies. The first year he was in, his hands and feet and ears were all frostbitten.” Pray that God would protect Pastor S physically.

Sister J also said her prayers for Pastor S have changed: “Lord, please let him be light and salt in detention and in prison—let him live out the likeness of Christ.” Pray that the Lord would strengthen Pastor S’s faith and make his life a clear witness of Christ in detention and prison.

Sister J asked for prayer for her own spiritual stability: “My faith fluctuates a lot… so that in any environment I won’t be shaken, even in fear and anxiety I will still stand firm.” Pray that God would root Sister J in His Word, steady her emotions, and give her enduring faith and courage.

Sister J shared that when she once asked who could help if her husband were arrested, Pastor S said, “There’s no one. Let me pray. Let me ask God.” She later testified that God provided caring believers and reminded her, “I’m not alone.” Pray that God would continue to surround Sister J with strong fellowship.

Sister J shared: “Right now, the business can sustain me and my child’s living expenses.” But she also said, “My child’s body is very weak… almost once a month—fever and colds. So please pray for her health.” Thank the Lord for providing their daily needs, and pray that He would heal and strengthen her child’s body, giving her health and strength.

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Who is China’s Eileen Gu? (+ North Korea Executes Teens for Consuming South Korean Media)

China Compass — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:50:00 +0000

On this week’s China Compass, we start by looking at the current Olympics medal count and how China attempts to “compete”, including their purchasing of Chinese-American Eileen Gu. Then we look a little more at the horrors of the North Korean regime, followed by a longer look and some stories from a few of the Pray for China cities of the week (Xining, Baoshan).

The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) - Available on Kindle/Amazon (free PDF)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Eileen Gu is the Poster Child for the Post-Nationalist Olympics

https://thefederalist.com/2026/02/11/eileen-gu-is-the-poster-child-for-the-post-nationalist-olympics/

North Korea Executes Teens for Watching Squid Game, Listening to K-Pop

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/north-korea-executes-teens-for-watching-squid-game-and-listening-to-k-pop/articleshow/128027845.cms

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-feb-15-21-2026

Pastor Released from North Korean Prison after 11 Years (+ Kids Back from China) │Prison Pulpit #69

Missionary Ben — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:10:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Please send any questions or comments to our new, secure email: chinacompass@privacyport.com. You can also find China Compass on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also lets me sort episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the shows on a certain topic or person.

Last but not least, nearly everything else we are involved (including my little book UNBEATEN) in can be found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Miracle: Chinese-Korean Pastor Released from North Korean Prison after 14 Years

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/north-korea-pastor-released/

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Chinese Marijuana Mafia Busted in Oklahoma (+ Fleeing Traffic Police in China)

China Compass — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:16:00 +0000

On this week’s China Compass, we cover a number of varied news items (and personal stories), including the ones in the title. The Chinese pot bust is at about ½ way point, and my story of running from the Chinese police (for the sake of my little children!) is about ¾ way to the end.

My kids are currently in the middle of their first solo trip into China, and things seem to be going well so far. Here’s what we had to do (practically) to get them ready to survive in 2026 China…

VPNs for every device
Configure Chinese payment apps
(Oops!) Fill out electronic arrival form
Go over subway and high speed train schedules

The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) - Available on Kindle/Amazon (free PDF)

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

20 Arrested for Illegal Pot Farms in Oklahoma

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/crime/2026/02/03/20-arrested-after-investigation-of-illegal-oklahoma-pot-farms-ag-says/88480633007/

Dragon in the Cab: How China Quietly Embedded Itself in American Trucking

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dragon-in-the-cab-how-china-quietly-embedded-itself-in-american-trucking

What Tariffs? Inside China’s Rerouted Supply Chains

https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/inside-chinas-rerouted-supply-chains/

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-feb-8-14-2026

My Kids In China + Praying for Christians in Iran (and Other Muslim Nations)│Prison Pulpit #68

China Compass — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:59:00 +0000

Today we look at how we can pray for the persecuted Christians in Iran, and other Muslim-majority nations, where believers are isolated and word is scarce. Hebrews 13:3 is a good reminder in these situations, as well.

You can also find China Compass on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also lets me sort episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the shows on a certain topic or person. Everything else we are involved in can be found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Unrest in Iran: How to Pray

https://www.opendoors.org.hk/en-US/news/latest/iran-unrest-prayer/

Iran is Killing Christians

https://email.revelationmedia.org/iran-is-killing-christians

Living as Secret Christians in Iran

https://www.opendoorscanada.org/living-as-secret-christians-in-iran/

Christians in Somalia Who Do Not Hide Their Faith

https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/christians-in-somalia-aweis-will-not-hide-his-faith/

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Martyrdom of the Stams (Anhui) + Driving In Circles (Lintan) + China’s Deadliest Earthquake (Tangshan)

China Compass — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:34:00 +0000

On this week’s China Compass, we take a more in-depth look at all of the cities to pray for this coming week, focusing on Anhui (Beheading of the Stam’s + Watchman Nee’s Imprisonment), Lintan (Coal Fired Tuk Tuks, Circular Roads), and Tangshan (Deadliest Earthquake Ever).

I’m about to fly back to Malaysia this weekend after a whirlwind trip to LA, Houston, and OKC. And we’ll be joined in Malaysia in the coming few weeks by our two oldest children (as well as another missionary friend). And don’t forget, my kids will be taking their first solo trip into China next week. Exciting times! I wish I could say more, but probably best to wait until everything shakes out and there are stories to tell on the back end.

Oh, in case I haven’t said so already, I did NOT make it into China last weekend, but I did talk to a new friend in China just this evening.

The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) - Available on Kindle/Amazon (free PDF)

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-feb-1-7-2026

Tangshan Earthquake

https://disasterhistory.org/tangshan-earthquake-1976

https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-dives/the-great-tangshan-earthquake-one-of-the-worst-earthquakes-in-modern-history-destroys-chinese-city/

Interview with a Chinese Pastor (Part III) + New Wave of Early Rain Persecution

China Compass — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:33:00 +0000

Today we look at the the final part of an interview with a Chinese pastor recently released from prison, followed by some specific prayer requests for members and friends of Early Rain Church who have recently been arrested and harrassed. In China, it seems, persecution never sleeps. Let's pray for our brothers and sisters, as bound with them!

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I present a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Please send any questions or comments to a new, secure email: chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Interview with an Imprisoned Chinese Pastor (Part III)

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2026/01/persecuted-church/

Early Rain Church Prayer Requests (January 25-31)

This week, we will pray for believers associated with Early Rain Covenant Church. Earlier this month, there was a series of large scale arrests similar to those in 2018. Seven church members were arrested and confined, while five other members were brought in for questioning and then released. Several of the people arrested are elders of the church. Pray for those who have been arrested and their families…

Pray for brothers and sisters in Chengdu and Deyang who have been taken away, are missing, or are under surveillance at home. Pray for God to grant them peace and protection, and to experience God’s presence and strength amidst uncertainty and hardship. Especially pray for the families and children to experience God’s comfort and love in suffering. Pray for the Lord to preserve brothers and sisters in the church, to love one another, and to be united and show the witness of Christ in times of trouble.

Pray for Sister Z, who was taken to jail with her husband. Their two children were taken in with them, and spent the first night at the police station. Now they have been temporarily placed with their grandmother.

Pray for a seminary student who was arrested and beaten in Chengdu recently. Pray for God’s comfort and grace to be with him, that he would know the presence of the Lord even in suffering. Pray for comfort and strength for his wife, and for him to be released soon.

Continue to pray for Pastor Wang Yi, who was arrested in 2018 and continues to serve time in prison. Pray for the Lord’s presence to be with him in prison, that he may even be a witness to those with him in jail, and for his family and church on the outside.

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China Keeps Relaxing Visa Rules, Macau Propaganda, 1st Chinese Police Encounter

China Compass — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:01:00 +0000

I just flew back to the States, after just a week of re-adjusting to the time here in Malaysia. When this podcast dropped on the 24th, I'll was somewhere between Macau, HKG and LAX.

This week we discuss China’s current tourist climate, as well as the transit-without-visa (TWOV) scheme, followed by a short look at whether China’s role is as a David (Underdog) or Goliath. Then, after working through a pro-China propaganda piece about one of my favorite cities, Macau, we look at all of the cities to pray for this coming week, including the one where my China career nearly ended as soon as it had begun.

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Email anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!

The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) - Available on Kindle/Amazon (free PDF)

China Inbound Travel Info

https://mize.tech/blog/inbound-travel-china-a-massive-opportunity-unfolds/

Is China a David, or a Goliath?

China is already the economic Goliath it does not want to be seen as

Andrew Sharp, Nikkei Asia opinion editor

China’s year-end numbers underscored the brute force of its export machine: a trade surplus tipped at about $116 billion…according to JPMorgan economist Tingting Ge. But there was no victory lap. Exports have defied the gloom for 2025, but the domestic economy is still sputtering.

Henny Sender writes that China "does not see itself as a giant imposing its mighty production machine on its neighbors and partners. Instead, it sees itself as frail and vulnerable; a country with neither the resources for food security nor energy security; a David rather than a Goliath."

Pro-CCP Macau Propaganda

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325081.shtml

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-jan-26-31-2026 (Available Jan 25)

Flashback: Eric Liddell: Scotland to Shandong (in Chariots of Fire) + Dictator Xi Struggles with Corruption

China Compass — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:45:00 +0000

I'm sitting at the Hong Kong airport and due to some technical issues in uploading this week's podcast, which I recorded Friday in Malaysia, I am sharing an older episode that has been on my mind today as I just finished reading another biography of Eric Liddell. I'll be talking more about him in the near future. Enjoy!

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Summary

Today I begin by discussing Jimmy Lai (the Hong Kong Tucker Carlson) and his bold comments about Xi Jinping (2:11), followed by looking at the Chinese dictator's struggle with his military and his weaponization of China's endemic corruption (12:42). Next we look at China's flip flopping its private tutor laws (22:18), which I know quite well. Finally I talk all about Shandong (29:50) and share fascinating stories of the missionaries and martyrs who lived and died there, including the famous “Chariots of Fire” Olympian Eric Liddell (41:29).

In the News:

Jimmy Lai’s Criticism of Xi Jinping:

https://hongkongfp.com/hong-kongs-jimmy-lai/

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/12/19/chinas-problems-with-the-west-could-only-be-resolved-by-xi-jinping-stepping-down-jimmy-lai-tells-security-law-trial/

Xi Jinping’s Military Troubles:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-China-military-in-disarray-over-Xi-s-monopoly-on-power

https://www.cfr.org/blog/six-takeaways-pentagons-report-chinas-military

https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/05/china/china-xi-military-purge-analysis-intl-hnk

Xi Jinping’s Tutoring Ban Backfires

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-How-Xi-Jinping-s-tutoring-school-ban-backfired

Pray for China Province of the Week: Shandong (East of the Mountains)

Shandong on China’s Eastern Seaboard is matched up with the state of Virginia for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Wikipedia Profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shandong

Asia Harvest Overview & Intro: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/introduction-to-shandong-province

Shandong Missionaries & Martyrs:

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1899-sidney-brooks

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1945-eric-liddell

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1967-pastor-tian

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/2003-zhang-hongmei

Recommended Resources:

Shandong: The Revival Province (China Chronicles #1) https://www.asiaharvest.org/bookstore/Shandong-The-Revival-Province-The-China-Chronicles-N%C2%BA1-p283331051

UNBEATEN: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China

www.Unbeaten.vip

Life Through the Eyes of a Chinese Pastor Prisoner (On Probation) │Prison Pulpit #66

China Compass — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:07:00 +0000

Today on the Prison Pulpit we go even deeper with the Chinese pastor we quoted from last week, who recently spent a couple of years in prison (and is now on probation). In today’s longer interview, he tells us how to better pray for persecuted pastors, especially their families and churches, and more.

One last thing: I’m now set up on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which now only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the episodes on a certain topic or person, like Tibet, Pastor Wang Yi, or Richard Wurmbrand.

Today in passing I mentioned my little autobiographical memoir, Unbeaten, a few times. You can read the story of my 2018 arrest, interrogation, and deportation by getting the little book here: Unbeaten.vip

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Interview with a Pastor on Probation

Today we are going to take a look at the situation in China through the eyes and words of a house church pastor in a smaller Chinese city. The interview, published by China Partnership, can be read in full below:

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2026/01/the-cost-of-following-jesus-to-jail/

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2026/01/witness-to-persecutors/

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China Rewrites Korean History + Canadians Visa-Free to China? (If CANADA Allows)

China Compass — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:59:00 +0000

I just flew into Malaysia from the States, so I am almost too drowsy to talk today, and it shows. After a longer-than-usual introduction, we work through three big stories today, followed by a couple of other fun off-the-cuff stories, including my near-deportation from Canada in 2016.

Now Available on Amazon Kindle and Paperback (+ free on PDF & via Substack):

The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

China Rewriting Korean History

https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/chinas-strategy-in-korea-rewriting-history-to-weaponize-it/#

Biden DOD Spent $2.5 Billion Collaborating with the CCP

https://washingtonstand.com/article/report-bidens-dod-spent-25-billion-collaborating-with-ccp-

Canadians Soon To Enter China Visa Free

https://visasnews.com/en/canadians-soon-exempt-from-visa-requirements-to-travel-to-china/

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-jan-19-25-2026

Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Well, I've finally set up Patreon for those who are interested. There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to give to our China ministry. Last but not least, for (almost) everything else we’re doing visit PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore ask the Lord for more. Talk again soon!

The 7 Herbs of “Prison Tea” + Iran & Venezuela│Prison Pulpit #65

China Compass — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:17:00 +0000

Today on the Prison Pulpit we listen to Elder W, a Chinese pastor who recently spent time in prison, teach us how to better pray for China’s persecuted believers. Then we once again let Richard Wurmbrand teach us (in an unpublished message) about the “prison tea” that he and others drank often under Communism.

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/the-seven-herbs-of-prison-tea

Pray for Venezuela (and Iran, too)!

And just how much are 800 old Venezuelan Bolivares worth? (according to Grok, much less than 1/100th of 1 cent!)

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Follow China Compass

Venezuelan Oil & China + Missionary Ben & the Podcast Ninja Meet Again

China Compass — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 08:28:00 +0000

Today we start with a bit of China/Venezuela news, followed by my conversation with Luke, the Podcast Ninja (see notes below), and lastly a few minutes on how to pray for China this week (esp. Yugan)!

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city/county to pray for every day. Send any questions/comments to chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us! Also, I’m now on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also conveniently lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections.

Now Available on Amazon (+ free PDF): The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Venezuelan Oil & China: Four Things to Know

https://asia.nikkei.com/business/energy/venezuelan-oil-and-china-4-things-to-know

How to Pray for Venezuela (via Mr. Marquez)

For churches and pastors to be used by God and bring words of encouragement to the lives of believers, as many are fearful and unsure of what to do during these times of tension.
For peace, and a peaceful transition in Venezuela, without innocent victims.
For believers to trust not in man, but in Jesus Christ, and remember that His kingdom is above any human kingdom.
That God may protect His church, the evangelists, pastors, and those who visit the sick in Venezuela, as armed groups are intimidating citizens 24 hrs a day in many parts of the country.

Conversation with the Podcast Ninja

I met with the Podcast Ninja again the other day to catch up on our respective hunting seasons, basketball teams, and Indiana’s best-in-the-country college football team. We took some time to discuss the blessings (and possible pitfalls) of praying for the persecuted.

After our conversation which was recorded in the middle of the week, I came back and updated everyone on a couple of things that were discussed…

The hunt was fun, but no meat!
The Podcast Ninja informed me that he did talk to his kids about Hebrews 13:3 at dinner
Indiana University rolls over Oregon (gave me a chance to watch Thunder comeback)

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-jan-12-18-2026

How to Pray for Venezuela + Uncle Bundo’s Prison Preaching │Prison Pulpit #64

China Compass — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:34:00 +0000

On today's Prison Pulpit, we start and finish with Venezuela, as my Venezuelan teammate writes in with four ways to pray for his country at this time of both joy and uncertainty. But the bulk of today's podcast is a story from my good friend Uncle Bundo about what happened in Thomson Prison on New Year's Day 2025. Let his testimony warm and encourage you to pray for all those believers who are in prison! (Scroll down for more notes...)

(2:43) Venezuela no longer a prison: We have very close friends and teammates from Venezuela, so I understand the situation there better than most, however it dawned on me today that after the liberation of Venezuela from the dictator Maduro, I probably should have been praying for the people (Christians, especially) much more than I have. Their situation these past 10+ years especially has been very much akin to being in a prison cell. Hence, nearly ⅓ (8+ million) “escaped” during that time for survival’s sake.

I may have more to say on a future podcast, but for now I want to point out that although we probably haven’t been praying for Venezuela as we ought to have done, I guarantee you that Venezuelan Christians (esp. those who had found freedom abroad) were quote “Remembering those in prison (back in Venezuela) as if they themselves were still bound with them”. In other words, they knew what it was like in that failed socialist state, and could pray as the author of Hebrews intended; not vague, faraway prayers, but knowledgeable, precise prayers as those who understood suffering and all that was at stake.

For all those who prayed in such a way, whether Venezuelan refugees, concerned Christians around the world, or the Venezuelan people themselves, how awesome it is to see God so clearly answer prayer! (Note: with the current power vacuum there, we ought to continue to pray God would raise up humble, godly leadership during this dangerous transition time.)

(7:26) Uncle Bundo’s New Year’s Prison Preaching Plan: In the summer of 2024, I interviewed a few of my friends who were being sentenced by the Biden DOJ for their participation in a peaceful prayer vigil while blocking the entrance to a (now shuttered) abortion clinic in Nashville back in 2021. Uncle Bundo was given 6 months in Federal Prison, which he served in rural Illinois. I share this by way of introduction, because I want to read you a story, a testimony, that Uncle Bundo shared on his Facebook page on New Year’s Day about what happened on LAST YEAR’S New Year’s Day.

(23:07) Pray for Venezuela: 1) Churches/Pastors 2) Peaceful Transition 3) All Believers 4) Safety

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Tempted in Black Dragon River + China’s Mandatory Pre-Divorce “Cooling Off” Period

China Compass — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 08:34:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben.

Today I tell a few stories that I've never told before, especially the one about the temptation...

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city/county to pray for every day. Send any questions/comments to chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Also, I’m now on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also conveniently lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections.

Now Available on Amazon (+ free PDF): The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Also, check out last week’s episode where I talk about the Runaway Van @ 14,000 Feet

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/runaway-van-14700-feet

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities, which include the city in Black Dragon River where I was tempted back in 2003…

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-jan-5-11-2025

China's Family and Divorce News…

Issues Chinese Women Face Today

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/03/issues-todays-chinese-women-face/

Divorce No Longer Taboo in China

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/divorces-in-china-on-the-rise-again-despite-mandatory-cooling-off-period

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/there-is-no-shame-divorce-less-of-a-taboo-for-women-in-china-as-attitudes-shift

Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t forget to follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. Also, I've finally set up Patreon, but my favorite thing isn't the (potential) support, but the ability to create Collections of podcasts by topic, location, etc…

There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to give to our China ministry. Last but not least, for (almost) everything else we’re doing visit PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore ask the Lord for more. Talk again soon!

Clean Every Whit: Wurmbrand’s Final Sermon in Solitary Confinement │Prison Pulpit #63

China Compass — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:55:00 +0000

Welcome to this final episode of the year of the Prison Pulpit on the China Compass podcast!

For much of the past year we have been working through a book by Richard Wurmbrand, entitled “Sermons in Solitary Confinement”. His past writings speak to us on behalf of those of the persecuted church who are currently, actively, being imprisoned and tortured for Christ, reminding us to pray for them. We haven’t gone through every Prison Sermon from this book, but probably more than half. And today is the final one.

Sermons in Solitary Confinement (Free PDF): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

By the way, for those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief introduction:

Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement.
After “escaping” abroad in the 1960s, published ”Tortured for Christ" and testified to Congress.
Helped start Voice of the Martyrs (but his son Michael doesn’t trust VOM).
Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html
Michael Wurmbrand’s ministry (more free books!): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Clean Every Whit (China Call Substack)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/clean-every-whit

Follow China Compass

Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) or email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any relevant questions or comments.

I’m now set up on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which now only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the episodes on a certain topic or person, like Tibet, Pastor Wang Yi, or Richard Wurmbrand.

One last thing: There’s also a donation link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to support our China ministry. For everything else, visit PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

Year-End Roundup: Most (and Least) Popular Episodes + Runaway Van in Tibet @ 14,700 Feet

China Compass — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 11:01:00 +0000

After looking back at the most (and least) popular episodes from the past year or so, I share the story of almost dying when I lost my brakes (with five South African friends in tow) going down a 14,700 ft. mountain pass in Tibet. Then, we run through a few China stories that have been sitting on the backburner for awhile, followed by the final Pray for China of the year (Dec 29-Jan 4). Check out all the links/details below!

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network (Christian Podcast Community)! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every day. Send any questions or comments to chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Also, I’m now on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the episodes on a certain topic or region, like Tibet, North Korea, or Hong Kong.

Check out this past week’s bonus Christmas episode with my wife and daughter…

Speaking of old episodes, I want to do a sort of Year-End Round Up of the episodes which received the most downloads (and which ones were listened to the least). And since I didn’t do this at the end of last year, I’ll also give the top and bottom three from 2024 (my first year):

Top 3 Episodes from 2025:

Dec 5: Doug Wilson Joins China Compass (2286)

Sept 13: Charlie Kirk: “America Must Shape Up, or China Wins” (1745)

Virtual Tie- Apr 20: Easter in a Chinese Church │"Ignorant Hillbilly" Vance Insults China's Peasants (1551)

Virtual Tie- Aug 30: Are All Chinese Students Commies and Spies? (Deace Says Yea, I Say Nay) (1548)

Bottom 3 Episodes from 2025:

Jan 1: More Prostitutes or Pastors in China? / Near Death on New Year's (Prison Pulpit)(967)

Feb 7: In the Face of a Secret Trial, What Will I Do? (Prison Pulpit)(952)

July 24: Syrian Pastor/Family Massacred (They Shot Patients In Bed) (Prison Pulpit) (903)

Top 3 Episodes from 2024:

Aug 24: Tim Walz: China Asset? + Black Dragon River & Double Duck Mountain (1864)

Aug 17: From Chinese Reality TV to NSA, Chatting with Brent in Moscow (ID) (1743)

Sep 14: Millions of Unadoptable Babies + China's 3 Forbidden "Ts" (& Martyrs of Tianjin) (1680)

Bottom 3 Episodes from 2024:

11-21: Wang Yi on God's Use of China's "Unrighteous Politics" (Prison Pulpit #5) (1077)

11-15: Wang Yi on God Raising Up and Deposing Dictators (Prison Pulpit #4) (1006)

12-5: Wang Yi's Pre-Arrest Family Newsletter (Prison Pulpit #7) (1005)

Bonus: Top 3 States (TX, CA, VA + WA) & Nations (CA, UK, AU) (+ Bottom States (WY, RI, DE) (Obscure stats: Fiji, Vanuatu, Georgia, 100+ total, 16 in Africa, China=WY, Romania vs Bulgaria)

15 Years Ago This Week (Dec 29): Runaway Van in Tibet @ 14,000 Feet

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/runaway-van-14700-feet

Now Available on Amazon (+ free PDF): The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

Borden’s Missed Opportunity?

Borden had a very fruitful ministry both at Yale and Princeton during his tenure as a student, and it strikes me that student ministry in China may have been a better use of his talents than what had been planned for him among the unreached Muslims of NW China. But hindsight is 20/20, and Borden never made it back to China at all (besides his first tour as a teenager).

Campus ministry in China has been very fruitful for the past 40+ years, but has become much more difficult recently. Here’s a new article from within China that explains the current situation:

Chinese Campus Ministry Troubles

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/12/changchun-reaching-campus/

No Tibetan in Chinese Schools

https://www.rfa.org/english/tibet/2025/01/02/tibet-china-enforces-restrictions-students/

Chinese Refugee Church Planters?

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2024/12/immigrant-church-in-southeast-asia/

Is China Still a Developing Country?

https://www.voanews.com/a/is-china-still-a-developing-country/7244652.html

Taiwan Survives Another New Year Celebration

https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/note-from-taiwan-the-players-on-the-eve-of-destruction/

Finally, let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

Dec 29-Jan 4: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-dec-29-jan-4-2025

The Missionary's Family Talks Christmas on the Mission Field + The Millionaire Missionary's Last Christmas

China Compass — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 03:59:00 +0000

Merry Christmas from China Compass! After a few minutes to talk about The Millionaire Missionary's Last Christmas, my wife and youngest daughter join me to (mostly) talk about Christmas overseas, but also hit the following topics (and more)...

Eating Chinese fish (or not)
Internet Cafes on Christmas Eve
Chinese Christian Christmas Talent Show
Christmases long ago, including our first in China

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I present a new Chinese city or county to pray for every day. Also, I’m now set up on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the episodes on a certain topic or region, like Tibet, North Korea, or Hong Kong. Send any questions or comments to chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!

Now Available on Amazon (+ free PDF):

The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com)

The Millionaire Missionary's Last Christmas

The Millionaire Missionary, William Borden, of all people(!) could have stayed home an extra week to be with his family (his mother!) for Christmas. But he boarded his ship in New York on December 17th, determined to land in Egypt by New Year’s Day to begin his life overseas.

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/a-mothers-final-farewell-part-i

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/mothers-final-farewell-part-ii

Kevin Belmonte’s biography of William Borden, Beacon-Light, which mostly borrows from early Borden biographies by close friends, as well as Mary Taylor’s Borden of Yale (the unabridged version of The Millionaire Missionary), provides a few more details from the trip (pgs 227-230).

Christmas for Missionaries

https://mailchi.mp/radiusinternational/was-the-great-commission-only-for-the-original-apostles-9217919?e=baba53761c

As an adult, I’ve spent far more Christmases overseas than at home. Looking back, there is some sadness in what I missed, especially with loved ones who have since passed away. But there are no true regrets. And there are many happy memories, especially when God provided for loved ones to visit us and spend Christmas (or Thanksgiving) with us on the mission field!

Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t forget to follow me on X (@chinaadventures) or email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. Also, I've finally set up Patreon, but my favorite thing isn't the (potential) support. There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to give to our China ministry. Last but not least, for (almost) everything else we’re doing visit PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore ask the Lord for more. Talk again soon!

Christmas in Room #4 (The Death Room)│Prison Pulpit #62

China Compass — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:50:00 +0000

Christmas in Room Number Four: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/christmas-in-room-number-four-the

Just as we did on Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, today I want to read a special story from Richard Wurmband’s book In God's Underground (https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network (and the Christian Podcast Community)! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I present a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Please send any questions or comments to a new, secure email: chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be found at PrayGiveGo.us!

One last thing: I’m now set up on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which now only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to go back and find all the episodes on a certain topic or region, like Tibet, North Korea, or Hong Kong.

Now Available: The Millionaire Missionary (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G94FKJJW/)

For those who aren’t familiar with Richard Wurmband, here's a brief intro:

Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement.
After “escaping” abroad, published ”Tortured for Christ" in the 60s and testified to Congress.
Founded Voice of the Martyrs with his son, but Michael Wurmbrand doesn’t trust VOM today.
Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html
Free books (PDF) by Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Follow China Compass

Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) or email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to support our China ministry. For everything else, visit PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”! Feliz Navidad

Beijing Lies Doom Jimmy Lai (78) to Life for Allegedly Lying about Beijing (+ Britain Abandons Its Own)

China Compass — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 11:01:00 +0000

The Millionaire Missionary is now available on Amazon! (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G94FKJJW/)

Today's episode takes another long look at the life and times of Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong's most famous pro-democracy advocate, who is facing life in prison by the Chinese regime that he dared to criticize.

(Also, the UK get's critiqued for not only doing nothing for Jimmy Lai, but instigating on British soil similar attacks against free speech!)

We also take a deep look at a couple of spiritually needy areas in China, the special administrative regions of Tibet and Inner Mongolia, respectively.

Pray for China (Dec 22-28): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-dec-22-28-2025

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network (Christian Podcast Community)! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I present a new Chinese city or county to pray for every day. Send your questions or comments to chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!

China Executes Former Senior Banker For Taking $156 Million In Bribes

https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2025/12/1333334/china-executes-former-senior-banker-taking-us156m-bribes#google_vignette

Hong Kong Mogul Jimmy Lai Convicted by Pro-CCP Kangaroo Court

Last year's Jimmy Lai episode: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/49

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai was convicted in a landmark trial seen by critics as a symbol of the financial hub's deteriorating freedoms. Found guilty of colluding with foreign forces under the National Security Law that China imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, and of publishing seditious materials through his now-defunct newspaper Apple Daily, Lai denied all charges, and faces the possibility of a life sentence. Now, Britain should be ashamed for doing nothing to stand up for one of its own citizens being bullied by Beijing.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/jimmy-lai-a-hong-kong-rags-to-riches-media-tycoon-who-became-fierce-critic-of-beijing/article70397910.ece

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/hong-kongs-legal-clampdown-on-jimmy-lai-tycoon-and-china-critic

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-found-guilty-of-sedition-foreign-collusion

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/reaction-to-hong-kong-tycoon-jimmy-lais-guilty-verdict-in-national-security-trial

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/15/hong-kong-authoritarianism-hides-behind-legalistic-facade/

Let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

Pray for China (Dec 22-28): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-dec-22-28-2025

Here’s the full interview with Denny, who tells the story about being chased all around Alashan in Inner Mongolia: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/12

Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t forget to follow me on X (@chinaadventures) or email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. Also, I’m working on getting set up for sponsorships at Ko-Fi & Patreon. There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to give to support the China ministry. Last but not least, for (almost) everything else we’re doing visit PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore ask the Lord for more. Talk again soon!

Free to Evangelize (in Jail)│Prison Pulpit #61

China Compass — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:50:00 +0000

Welcome to the “Prison Pulpit” on the China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share, among other things, daily reminders to pray for China. Also, feel free to email any questions or comments to bfwesten at gmail dot com. And last but not least, learn more about (most of) our strategic prayer and missions projects @ PrayGiveGo.us!

The Prison Pulpit

As I’ve stated all year, the goal of the Prison Pulpit series is to remind people to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do: “Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them.”

As I am recording this podcast, we have just passed the 7th anniversary of the attack and forced closure of Early Rain Church in Chengdu, China, and the arrest of Pastor Wang Yi, on December 9th, 2018.

A couple weeks ago I read the Wang Yi family newsletter that was published just 12 days before his arrest on Dec 9, 2018. Last week I shared a few updates that were put out by unnamed Early Rain Church members in the aftermath of the attack and arrest of the pastor and most of the leadership.

As one of last week's updates reminded us, there was no guarantee that the next update would ever come. Arrests were ongoing and, for lack of a better phrase, church leaders were falling like flies. However, in spite of all this, more updates did follow, and I want to share some of them with you now:

Early Rain Urgent Prayer Update #10 (12/12/18)

May the Lord give us love for souls. These law enforcement officers greatly need the gospel of Christ. They have greatly sinned against God. We need to pray for them, for we were once like them.

May the Lord himself speak words of comfort to us, for he has given his life for us. We suffer with those brothers and sisters who suffer as though imprisoned with them. May God make peace like a river flow through our hearts… Please strengthen your resolve, brothers and sisters. Experience in the midst of every kind of tribulation and danger the filling of the Holy Spirit and the renewal of your lives.

Early Rain Urgent Prayer Update (12/15/18)

According to some testimonies of brothers and sisters that have emerged, they have been sharing the gospel while under guard. They have been using their suffering as a beautiful testimony for the Lord. Some police officers and workers have been very interested in the gospel, even giving their addresses and asking for Bibles. May the Lord choose for himself children from among these law enforcement officers persecuting the church.

Another encouraging testimony from a church member who was just released from 10 days of detention...

“It is like a monastery in there. I cultivated myself for ten days there. Thank God for his protection. I often shared the gospel in there. There was a Tibetan named Z who really wanted to hear preaching, to join a small group, and to become a Christian. There was also a master’s student who has been quite miserable since entering [the detention center]. He wanted to buy a Bible, and I told him I would give him one. He also wanted to attend a small group Bible study. There was also another person who used to belong to a traditional house church but who stumbled because of marriage problems. I am preparing to give him one of our church’s thumb drives so he can listen to preaching.

Please keep praying for the nearly 20 brothers and sisters at the detention center and for Yingxu and Shuqi, about whom we still have no information. And pray for the others, as well, because we don’t know how they are doing now. It is a high-level detention center, and it is quite strict; but from another perspective, the despair of the prisoners inside is also quite high, making evangelizing more fruitful. Thank the Lord!”

Lord, the greatest freedom in the world is the freedom of becoming your children. You say that we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. May your Spirit fill us and make us to worship freely, to enter prison freely, to spread the gospel freely. Give us free and noble hearts. Turn us into liberated criminals willing to be detained by the world. For a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted you, they will persecute us.

We also ask you to forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Open their eyes to see your glory and turn them into free children!

In the cross, in the cross / Be my glory ever / All our sins are washed away / Only by His blood.

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass wherever you get your podcasts. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures), email anytime (bfwesten at gmail dot com), and check out our website (PrayGiveGo.us). Hebrews 13:3!

Hong Kong Fire│US-India Visa Fallout│India Deports Chinese Spy│Shaolin Temple Scandal│Trump's Ceasefire Backfires

China Compass — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 17:45:00 +0000

Today, as I ride the slow train to Calcutta, this very full episode drops, in which I discuss the New US-India Visa Rules and Potential Collateral Damage it will bring, India's Deportation of a Chinese Spy and Chinese Military Targets on the India-Tibet Border, the Shaolin Temple Scandal (Birthplace of Kungfu), the World’s Longest One-Way Flight, the Chinese Missiles Breaking Trump’s Ceasefire in Cambodia/Thailand, the Hong Kong Apartment Fire (and Beijing’s Cold Response) + More

Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

New US-India Visa Rules & Collateral Damage

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-to-scan-social-media-of-all-h-1b-h-4-visa-applicants-from-december-15/articleshow/125767066.cms

https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/want-us-tourist-visa-you-might-need-to-disclose-5-year-social-media-history-vetting-h1b-f1-esta-fifa-world-cup-olympics-2833929-2025-12-10

India Deports Chinese Spy & Chinese Military Targets Tibet-India Border

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/chinese-national-detained-in-j-k-deported-to-hong-kong-101765448427109-amp.html

https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinese-forces-battle-dizzying-altitudes-to-expand-military-footprint-c9350bbd

Shaolin Scandal, World’s Longest One-Way Flight & Trump’s Failed Ceasefire

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-shaolin-monk-arrest-embezzlement-charges-5470356

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/1349711.shtml

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/10/chinese-missile-launcher-conflict-cambodia-thailand/

Hong Kong Fire (and Beijing’s Cold Response)

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-02/tai-po-fire-hong-kong-mainland-grief-red-lines/106087732

https://asiatimes.com/2025/11/hong-kong-is-chinas-most-underestimated-strategic-asset/

“[The vision for communism is not only] not to allow religious liberty, but actually to replace faith with trust in the Chinese Communist Party.” Rep. John Moolenaar (MI) - Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

Pray for China (Dec 15-21): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-dec-15-21-2025

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com). You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Anniversary of Wang Yi’s Arrest, Early Rain Attack, Worshipping on the Run │Prison Pulpit #60

China Compass — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 18:29:00 +0000

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share, among other things, daily reminders to pray for China. Also, feel free to email any questions or comments to bfwesten at gmail dot com. And last but not least, learn more about (most of) our strategic prayer and missions projects @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Early Rain Attack Updates

Last week I read the Wang Yi family newsletter that was published just 12 days before his arrest on Dec 9, 2018. This week I will be sharing a handful of updates that were put out by unnamed Early Rain Church members in the immediate aftermath of the attack and arrest of the pastor and most of the leadership.

As the writer mentions in one of the updates, there was no guarantee that the next update would ever come. Arrests were ongoing at the original time of publishing. I tried (unsuccessfully) to just read these powerful proclamations, only pausing to comment when absolutely necessary.

On my Substack (ChinaCompass.substack.com) you will find the written version today’s podcast:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/early-rain-forcibly-closed-pastor

Last but not least, when mentioning this week’s special resource, The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us), I shared how after 200+ years of missions in China things have come full circle.

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass wherever you get your podcasts. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures), email anytime (bfwesten at gmail dot com), and check out our website (PrayGiveGo.us). Hebrews 13:3!

Live from Darjeeling: China vs India, The First Hindoo Convert (+ Cherokee Theology)

China Compass — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 18:29:00 +0000

Today I'm recording and publishing "live" from the mountaintop in Darjeeling, India. We discuss the population increase/decrease of India/China (among other things), then look at the testimony of the first Hindu convert (by William Carey's mission) as well some words from the first man to publish a Chinese Bible (Joshua Marshman in INDIA). Last but not least, Cherokee Theology is a look back at the last words of my friend and adopted grandfather back in Oklahoma, Dewey Sanders, who passed away 7 years ago.

India vs. China, Borden in Darjeeling, Darjeeling to Dalijia, Marshman’s Chinese Bible

The Millionaire Missionary in Darjeeling

www.BordenofYale.com

The First Hindu Convert: Krishna Pal

https://archive.org/details/firsthindooconv00unkngoog

Cherokee Theology: Remembering Dewey Sanders

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/cherokee-theology

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

Pray for China (Dec 1-7): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-dec-8-14-2025

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com). You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

In Case You Missed It: Doug Wilson Joins China Compass

China Compass — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:22:00 +0000

Back in October I sat down with Pastor Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho to have a conversation on all things China. I was excited to get his perspective, since he has personally lived through much of China’s modern communist history. It was a fun conversation, and Doug seemed to think so too. He later wrote the following on his blog's weekly Cluster Muster:

"I was recently on an interesting podcast that was quite different from my usual podcast interview topics."

In our 30+ minute conversation, we touched on many topics including the Great Leap Forward, Mao’s Great Famine, Doug’s Submarine Adventures with a Taiwanese crew, the China Legacies of Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter, the Tiananmen Square massacre (and revival), China’s modern-day revival, C.S. Lewis’s 1946 China optimism vs. Doug’s (short-term) pessimism, Hebrews 13:3 and how to pray for the persecuted, and PrayforChina.us’s helpful strategy!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post new China city prayer profiles every single day.

Feel free to send any notes or comments via email @ bfwesten at gmail dot com

Find much more about our work in Asia, including my missionary biographies, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Frank Dikotter (Dutch, not German) on China

https://www.frankdikotter.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Maos-Great-Famine-Devastating-Catastrophe/dp/1408886367

Jimmy Carter’s Complicated China Legacy

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/jimmy-carters-complicated-china-legacy

The C.S. Lewis China Letters

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-cs-lewis-china-letters

C.S. Lewis, Burnt Marshwiggle, and the Brainwashing of Richard Wurmbrand

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/cs-lewis-burnt-marshwiggle-and-the

The NBA, LeBron James, and China

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/nba-back-in-bed-with-china

Pray for China places of the week (Follow @chinaadventures for daily updates)

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-oct-13-19-2025

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Wang Yi’s Last Newsletter, Killing Time in Kolkata, Bibles for the Rawang│Prison Pulpit #59

China Compass — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:29:00 +0000

In today's "Prison Pulpit" podcast I talk about my first day in India, the "hidden" Rawang people of northern Myanmar/Tibet, and we go back over Wang Yi's final family newsletter before his arrest in December, 2018.

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share, among other things, daily reminders to pray for China. Also, feel free to email any questions or comments to bfwesten at gmail dot com. And last but not least, learn more about (most of) our strategic prayer and missions projects @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Killing Time in Calcutta

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/killing-time-in-a-calcutta-burial

So I’m currently recording in my little hotel room just outside the Calcutta airport in India’s West Bengal State, having flown in late last night. India, as you may know, is probably more hostile to the Gospel than it has been for some time. Many missionaries have been kicked out in recent years, including some friends of mine, and it’s generally not a good idea to announce that you are a missionary when applying for a visa or coming through immigration. “Tourist” will do just fine, thank you. Once you’re in, you can pretty much do what you want.

I have to admit I was a tiny bit nervous coming in last night, because I’m still a somewhat shell-shocked after what happened exactly a month ago while trying to enter Egypt on a short, run-of-the-mill (research) trip, when I was denied entry and deported a few hours later (seemingly) for having too many tracts in my backpack. So I was happy to make it into India last night with nary a question (and no bag scanners). The only thing dodgy about my arrival were the mosquitoes that have taken up permanent residence in the Calcutta airport, and the lack of sidewalks between the terminal and my hotel about ½ mile away.

BTW, go back and check out the podcast and substack I posted around Nov 1 (the link is here in the show notes): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-millionaire-missionary

Bibles for the Hidden Rawang People of Myanmar and Tibet

https://www.asiaharvest.org/bibles-for-the-hidden-rawang-people

Back to the Prison Pulpit

The goal of the Prison Pulpit series is to remind people to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do: “Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them.”

Today we look back on Wang Yi's yearly family newsletter to his church, which was sent out in late November 2018, just two weeks before his arrest and the church’s forced closure…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/wang-yi-family-newsletter-11-27-2018

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass wherever you get your podcasts. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures), email anytime (bfwesten at gmail dot com), and check out our website (PrayGiveGo.us). Hebrews 13:3!

China Gaslights Indian Lady, Pastors Avoid "Tiger Chair" Torture (For Now), Tieli Dog Cafes (+ Dan the Man)

China Compass — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 05:59:00 +0000

On today's episode we begin by discussing China's arbitrary detaining of an Indian transit passenger in Shanghai, and how that connects with China's territorial disputes with both India and Japan, as well as China's cult-like believe in the "One China" propaganda.

Next, we look at a small group of pastors who were arrested in October, and how they turned their cells into outreach centers, and avoided beating and torture (for now). They hope to return to prison soon (seriously)!

And last, as we go through this week's Pray for China cities, a number of things come up, including my memories of a good friend (Dan the Man), China's state propaganda shop, and the dog restaurants of Tieli.

Indian Woman Detained in China for Not Having Chinese Passport

https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/immigration/indian-woman-s-detention-at-china-airport-sparks-delhi-beijing-row

AsiaHarvest.org - Another small, precious tribe in the mountains of western Myanmar are the 400 Lama people, with an additional 150 living across the border in Arunachal Pradesh, India. They first heard the Gospel in the 50s, and the majority of Lama people are Christians today!

Joyful in Jail

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/11/joyful-in-jail/

"Tiger Chair" and other Chinese Communist Torture Methods

https://www.vice.com/en/article/tiger-chairs-electric-batons-and-chili-oil-report-finds-chinese-police-are-still-torturing-suspects/

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

Pray for China (Dec 1-7): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-dec-1-7-2025

4am Conversation with a Homeless Man (in Rail Power/Tieli)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/4am-conversation-with-a-homeless

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com). You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

My Wife and Daughter Share Thanksgiving Memories from China & Peru (Also, Guinea Pigs & Concussions)

China Compass — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 03:54:00 +0000

On this special Thanksgiving episode I talk to my wife and daughter (not at the same time) about Thanksgiving memories in China and Peru. We also discuss some random topics such as eating guinea pigs (or not) on Thanksgiving, Turkey Bowl concussions, and how there's (sadly) no turkey in Malaysia. Last but not least, we give thanks for our years spent in China (and my daughter, for growing up there)!

In case you missed it: A Spurgeon Special for Thanksgiving

Always, and For All Things

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/always-and-for-all-things

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben.

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com).

You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Spurgeon on Being Thankful for ALL Things (Including Wurmbrand's Prison Gruel) │The Prison Pulpit

China Compass — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 15:59:00 +0000

Welcome to the “Prison Pulpit” on the China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Today we have a couple of guests on the podcast, the late C.H. Spurgeon and Richard Wurmbrand, who both have something very helpful to say about Thanksgiving; specifically, giving thanks in ALL circumstances.

Richard Wurmbrand on Rejoicing, Weeping, Feasting in Prison (Thanksgiving 2024)

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/40

Heaping Helping of Intercession for Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving 2020)

https://china.myadventures.org/post/heaping-helping-of-intercession-for-thanksgiving/

As this week is Thanksgiving, I want to do something a little bit different…

First, let me read from a Spurgeon sermon on “Giving Thanks Always, and for All Things”:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/always-and-for-all-things

https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/always-and-for-all-things/

Next, let me re-read Richard Wurmbrand’s words about “rejoicing and weeping” in his hot, stuffy, dirty little prison cell...

In God's Underground - https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

But let me preface that with the challenge to pray and intercede this week for those who are in similar circumstances. But ESPECIALLY that they would be enabled, by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit, to give thanks in all circumstances, as Spurgeon has already admonished us. If we do what Hebrews 13:3 says, and put ourselves in their shoes, in their cells, “as bound with them”, we will quickly realize that this is more easily said than done. Hence, the need for us to pray! So listen to Wurmbrand’s words, and let’s join together in prayer this week for our suffering brothers and sisters around the world!

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass wherever you get your podcasts. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures), email anytime (bfwesten at gmail dot com), and check out our website (PrayGiveGo.us). Hebrews 13:3!

China Aims to Eradicate All Religion + China's (Cult-like) Distortion of Reality

China Compass — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 09:36:00 +0000

Today's episode covers a lot of ground, from China's death penalty and corruption, to persecution, to it's cult-like protection of the "one-China" policy, to its war against religion, and much more...

Speaking of my books, I had a bit of an issue with Amazon Publishing this past week… but my books are back online at PrayGiveGo.us!

We ran out of time on today's show, but check this coming week's PrayforChina.us cities…

Pray for China (Nov 24-30): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-nov-24-30-2025

Here are Chinese news articles that I discussed this week:

China’s Former Agricultural Minister Sentenced to Death for…

https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2025/0928/1535756-china-minister-death/

China’s Posh Subway Systems Dragging Cities Into Debt

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/06/20/chinese-cities-are-facing-the-financial-abyss-of-their-subway-systems_6742523_19.html#

Hong Kong Drops in Asian English Rankings

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/317394/Hong-Kong-drops-in-English-rankings-falling-behind-Malaysia-and-the-Philippines

Japan on Beijing’s Strategic Distortion of Reality

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/11/18/japan/beijings-strategic-distortion-of-reality/

Why China Still Can’t Tolerate Christians and Other Believers

https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-christianity-religion-pastor-ezra-jin-ff56fe12

China’s War on Christians

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/china-war-christians-zion-church

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com). You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Missionary Pilot Kidnapped in Niger (Taken to Timbuktu?) │The Prison Pulpit

China Compass — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:30:00 +0000

On this episode of the “Prison Pulpit” on the China Compass podcast I dive into what missionary pilot Kevin Rideout might be experiencing in Niger (or Timbuktu) after being kidnapped by Islamic extremists (but I repeat myself) last month, in the hopes that we will take time to "remember his chains" and intercede for him as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do....

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, back home in Malaysia. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share daily reminders to pray for China.You an email me anytime @ bfwesten at gmail dot com and learn more about our strategic prayer and missions projects @ PrayGiveGo.us!

American Missionary Pilot Kidnapped in Niger (Oct 22)

https://christianchronicle.org/missionarypilot/

https://www.christianpost.com/news/american-missionary-pilot-kevin-rideout-is-abducted-in-niger.html

First, a couple of facts about where Kevin lived, and where Niger is located…

He was in an upscale neighborhood of Niamey, the capital of Niger
The US Embassy of Niger was just 2 miles away (8 minute drive)
The Niger Natl Guard and Presidential Palace were just a mile away
Niamey is located 125 miles west of NW Nigeria, and 125 south of Mali’s southern border
Kevin was reportedly taken north towards Mali, home to the infamous city of Timbuktu.
Niamey is 500 miles north of the Atlantic Ocean (leap-frogging Benin)
Niamey is in the south Sahara, 1500 miles from the Mediterranean and 2100 miles from Cairo
Niger is about twice the size of Texas, 3x the size of California, and virtually the same as Peru
Niamey has about a million people, and Niger as a whole 25 million
Niger has both the highest birthrate in the world at 6.5, but also the highest infant mortality rate
The child mortality rate (child deaths before age 5) is between 80 and 250 per 1,000 (1 in 4)
Niger is such a basketcase that even China has trouble getting them to cooperate, despite throwing hundreds of millions (billions, really) of dollars their way!

China and Niger:

https://northafricapost.com/88430-chinas-costly-gamble-niger-exposes-risks-of-regime-agnostic-diplomacy-in-africa.html

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3313824/china-niger-ties-challenge-beijings-cornerstone-non-interference-policy

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass wherever you get your podcasts. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures), check out our website (PrayGiveGo.us) and email anytime @ (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Chinese Bridges Falling Down, Two Meals for $1 + More Wacky China News

China Compass — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 10:36:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

During the past couple of weeks, I’ve been podcasting from Turkey. Well, we just landed back in Malaysia this morning and it’s good to be back at my own little desk. Today I want to run through a half dozen or so rando Chinese news articles that I stumbled across this week, mostly in the vein of “Not the Bee”. In other words, crazy true stories that sound almost like satire:

Chinese Bridges Falling Down

https://www.theblaze.com/return/china-bridge-collapse-engineer-experts

Oldest Grapevine in the World in… Tibet?

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/11/11/Guinness-World-Records-Tibet-grapevine/5031762871976/

Himalayan Mountain Goats Running Wild in… South Africa?

https://www.getaway.co.za/travel-news/look-himalayan-tahrs-spotted-on-table-mountain-cliffs/

China Invented Picnics

https://www.ft.com/content/85c5d51a-5a92-4855-bbfc-2be79a6abee3

Cheap Chinese: Two Meals for $1

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2pvlvdve7o

Beijing's Deflation Dilemma

https://www.yahoo.com/news/beijings-deflation-dilemma-falling-prices-030401849.html

Memoirs of a Beijing Delivery Dude

https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/11/06/what-a-hit-memoir-reveals-about-work-in-china

Typical Chinese School Day

https://fortune.com/2025/11/11/china-us-rivarly-in-the-classroom-longer-days-ai-race-trump-shifts-tone/

Commie-World Problems: Dictators Get Lonely

https://www.newsweek.com/xi-jinping-getting-lonely-at-the-top-after-chinas-new-purge-10887454

Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities…

Pray for China (Nov 17-23): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-nov-17-23-2025

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com). You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Tracing Paul's Footsteps (Troas to Assos) + Paul's (Roman) Prison Pulpit │Prison Pulpit #56

China Compass — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:59:00 +0000

Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me anytime @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Last but not least, to learn more about our strategic prayer and missions projects or to get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

Welcome to this episode of the “Prison Pulpit” on the China Compass podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, recording today from the foot of Mt. Ida in Turkey!

Since I’m still in Turkey today, and just down the road from the ancient port of Troas, which we visited yesterday, I want to meditate once more on some of Paul's words from prison, especially his words to Timothy in 2nd Timothy, his final letter in the New Testament:

2 Timothy 1:2-12, 15-18:

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. [3] I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. [4] As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. [5] I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. [6] For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, [7] for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. [8] Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, [9] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, [10] and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, [11] for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, [12] which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. . . [15] You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. [16] May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, [17] but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— [18] may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

2 Timothy 2:3-10:

[3] Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [4] No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. [5] An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. [6] It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. [7] Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. [8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, [9] for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! [10] Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2 Timothy 3:10-13:

[10] You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, [11] my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. [12] Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 4:6-18:

[6] For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. [9] Do your best to come to me soon. [10] For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. [11] Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. [12] Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

[13] When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. [14] Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. [15] Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. [16] At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! [17] But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. [18] The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

John Piper on the What Paul Left in Troas

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-sadness-and-beauty-of-pauls-final-words

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Live from Laodicea (Echoes from Ephesus) + Alien China, CCP Warnings & NK Spy Balloons

China Compass — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 05:02:00 +0000

On last week’s podcast, I discussed my deportation from Egypt to Istanbul. This week we continue in Turkey, visiting the Seven Churches of Revelation. Today's show begins with a look at modern-day Laodicea, and a short talk I gave yesterday in the heart of old Ephesus.

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China - Unbeaten.vip

Pray for China (Nov 10-16): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-nov-10-16-2025

The second half of the show is a detailed look at this week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities, with a number of stories and details along the way, including my first night alone on the streets of China (Alien China), being confronted by the police during a casual lunch (CCP Warnings), and China's border with North Korea (NK Spy Balloons).

Two North Korea Stories:

https://www.dw.com/en/north-korean-man-makes-rare-direct-land-crossing-to-south/a-73150358

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/balloon-propaganda-campaign-korea

From Ephesus (Turkey): Paul's Prison Pulpit + Inside my Deportation from Egypt│The Prison Pulpit #55

China Compass — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:01:00 +0000

Welcome to this episode of the “Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, recording today from Ephesus in Turkey! Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me anytime @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Last but not least, to learn more about our strategic prayer and missions projects or to get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

The goal is to remind everyone to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them”). I’ve done this by sharing (imprisoned) Pastor Wang Yi’s writings in China. But since we have nothing of his written from WITHIN prison walls, I’ve turned to other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand, to give us a voice, or reminders, or sermons, literally from prison. But Pastor Wang Yi was the reason why I started the Prison Pulpit series to begin with. And in December, as the anniversary of his arrest approaches, we will go back over much of what was written during that tumultuous time in late 2018.

But since I’m literally in Ephesus right now, I want us to hear from another prison pulpit, specifically the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians:

Eph 3:14-20: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Eph 6:18-20: praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ejected from Egypt

Today I also want to continue meditating on what I experienced in Egypt this past weekend. My 10+ hour ordeal happened in 7 stages (which included much standing, sitting, drinking (h20), and smoking (them):

Detained at Customs for backpack search and (relaxed) interrogation. Hopeful. (Midnight-2am)
“Led” through the creepy corridors of the airport, then left in the hallway. Flight booked. (2-3am)
Moved to the office of a “senior” officer doing unrelated paperwork. Awaiting deportation (3-4am)
Led by multiple new officers through the airport to the departure gate. Waiting. Waiting. (4-5am)
Board flight (passport to staff), told I’d be met by security in Istanbul. Worried. In the air. (5-9am)
Last to deplane. Escorted to terminal by security. Told to wait. Still worried what’s next. (9-10am)
Told that they were waiting for more info from Egypt (yikes), but plans changed. Free! (1015am)

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Deported from Egypt (Nov 1) + The Millionaire Missionary (CRF Talk)

China Compass — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 20:59:00 +0000

Well, nothing like a deportation to start your day!

I begin today’s podcast by telling about being deported from Egypt a few hours ago (1:30), followed by a biographical sketch of William Borden (24:30), whose birthday was today (Nov 1), and whose footsteps I had hoped to follow in Cairo before I was sent packing back to Istanbul.

Borden of Yale: No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

www.BordenofYale.com

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com). You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Wives of Imprisoned Pastors Request Prayer + Trump Makes US-Malaysia Relations Great Again │The Prison Pulpit #54

China Compass — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:01:00 +0000

Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Last but not least, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

My Op-Ed for Crosspolitic News: Trump Making US-Malaysia Relations Great Again

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/trump-making-us-malaysia-relations-great-again

Five Prayer Requests from the Wives of Imprisoned Pastors

https://backtojerusalem.com/wives-of-arrested-pastors-of-chinas-zion-church-share-5-urgent-prayer-requests/

Please pray for our Christian brothers and sisters connected to the Zion Church in China.

There has been another wave of arrests. Here is a list of Those Taken Away (23 People):

Shanghai-

Pastor Wang Lin 2. Liu Jiang

Beijing-

Preacher Wu Qiuyu 4. Pastor Wang Cong 5. Pastor Sun Cong 6. Sister Li Shengjuan
Pastor Gao Yingjia 8. Sister Ming Li 9. Sister Hu Yanzi 10. Preacher Misha 11. Sister Cui Xiaole

Jiaxing, Zhejiang- 12. Preacher Zhan Ge

Hangzhou, Zhejiang-13. Sister Mei Liming (arrested Oct 11)

Beihai, Guangxi-

Pastor Jin Mingri (arrested for “illegally using info network,” held at Beihai #2 Detention Center)
Pastor Yin Huibin 16. Pastor’s wife Yang Lijun 17. Sis Tuya 18. Sis An Mei 19. Sis Huang Chunzi

Qingdao, Shandong- 20. Pastor Liu Zhenbin (aka Liu Shanyi)

Chengdu, Sichuan- 21. Pastor Lin Shucheng (Mu Chenglin)

Zhengzhou, Henan- 22. Preacher Sun Xue (arrested Oct 12)

Shenyang, Liaoning- 23. Elder Wang Zhong (arrested Oct 17)

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Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Trump in Kuala Lumpur (Sunday) + Missionary Ben & the Podcast Ninja Meet Again

China Compass — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:40:00 +0000

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post new China city prayer profiles every single day.

Send any notes or comments to bfwesten at gmail dot com and find much more, including my missionary biographies, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Today I begin by discussing Trump’s visit to Malaysia (today!) and how he is likely perceived by Malaysians (and Asians in general), plus a note about Doug Wilson’s Open Letter to Trump and its availability here in Malaysia (and everywhere). Check out (and share!) Doug's message to Trump at: TrumpRepent.my

Next we look at this week’s Chinese cities to pray for (x.com/china.myadventures, PrayforChina.us), including a deeper look at an early missionary to Mongolia (James Gilmour: https://www.missionary.com/articles/who-was-james-gilmour).

Pray for China places of the week

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-oct-27-nov-2-2025

Luke McKinney, the Podcast Ninja from the Comedian Next Door podcast, joins me for the second half of the podcast in a conversation we recorded earlier today (Noon on Saturday Malaysia time, Midnight Eastern):

The Comedian Next Door Podcast:

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/8295

We discussed our respective NBA teams (Pacers & Thunder) for the first 20 minutes or so, before moving on to a number of China related topics including Hong Kong freedom (or not), the restrictions on Chinese churches, and LeBron and the NBA’s nefarious relationship with China.

Finally, the last few minutes of the podcast take us to the topic of deer hunting, but Luke’s only been out two more times than I have (and I haven’t been out at all, here in Malaysia).

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

China's Greatest Evil + What’s Up With Nigeria?│The Prison Pulpit #53

China Compass — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:01:00 +0000

Today we look at a few updates from pastors in China in the context of what Wang Yi calls "China's greatest evil", followed by a primer on persecution in Nigeria and how we can pray for people so far away and different from us (Hebrews 13:3 is the key)!

Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Last but not least, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

Wang Yi on China’s “Most Horrendous” Evil

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/32

“Moreover, I must point out that persecution against the Lord’s church and against all Chinese people who believe in Jesus Christ is the most wicked and the most horrendous evil of Chinese society. This is not only a sin against Christians. It is also a sin against all non-Christians. For the government is brutally and ruthlessly threatening them and hindering them from coming to Jesus. There is no greater wickedness in the world than this.If this regime is one day overthrown by God, it will be for no other reason than God’s righteous punishment and revenge for this evil.

Inside Look at Chinese Persecution & Pressure the Past 5 Years

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/10/taiyuan-persecution-and-pressure/

What’s Up With Nigeria?

https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-violence-in-nigeria/

Nigeria is MUCH bigger than most of us imagine! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria)

224 million people (6th in the world, between Pakistan and Brasil) and about the same size as…

All of the West Coast (CA, OR, WA) / All of Texas + Oklahoma / All of the Deep South (AR-SC, LA-FL) / All of the Eastern Seaboard (from SC up to Maine) / More than half the size of Alaska

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Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

China's Zion Church Targeted + Abby's Unbelievably Awful Birthday Boat Ride

China Compass — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:06:00 +0000

On last week’s podcast I sat down with Pastor Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho. Today I’ve got another special guest for the first half of the podcast, my lovely daughter Abby who just had a birthday this week (hint: she’s old enough to drive but yet an “adult”).

Here’s how you can follow her and her artwork: https://www.instagram.com/abriana.isabel_art/

And here’s a book that she illustrated: https://www.amazon.com/Snowy-Love-Story-Timothy-Yeahquo/dp/B0DJBYNP14/

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where (among other things) I post new China city prayer profiles every single day. Feel free to send any notes or comments to bfwesten at gmail dot com and find much more, including my missionary biographies, at PrayGiveGo.us!

After Abby and I talk all about our adventures in Australia and awful boat rides in Malaysia, we discuss one article that brings up a point in which I disagree slightly with Doug Wilson…

China’s Robotics Advances Have Western Executives Terrified

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/10/12/why-western-executives-visit-china-coming-back-terrified/

In the second half of the podcast, I work through the following stories (especially the first):

China Detains Influential House Church Pastor

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/10/ezra-jin-zion-house-church-china-detain/

Pastors and Staff from Underground Church Arrested in China

https://www.npr.org/2025/10/12/nx-s1-5571936/zion-church-ezra-jin-arrest-china-christian

China’s nationwide SIM farm network directly threatens American critical infrastructure

https://www.theblaze.com/news/exclusive-china-behind-massive-nationwide-sim-farm-network-that-directly-threatens-american-critical-infrastructure

Chinese SIM farms are radicalizing Americans and destabilizing society, intel experts say

https://www.theblaze.com/news/chinese-sim-farms-are-radicalizing-americans-and-destabilizing-society-intel-experts-say

Pray for China places of the week (Follow @chinaadventures for daily updates)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-oct-20-26-2025

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

To Die Is Gain: How to Pray When Our Heroes Die│The Prison Pulpit #52

China Compass — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:01:00 +0000

This is the 52nd episode in the “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast! I started in mid-October of last year. Today's episode starts with remembering Pastor Wang Yi, and then we look at the remarkable similarities in the legacies of Charlie Kirk and the millionaire missionary, William Borden, and how we ought to pray in the aftermath of the death of our heroes in the faith. Enjoy!

Bill & Charlie: To Die Is Gain: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/bill-and-charlie-to-die-is-gain

(Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Last but not least, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!)

It All Started With Wang Yi

I want to start out today by going back to Pastor Wang Yi. It’s been awhile since I looked specifically at any of his writings leading up to his imprisonment (we don’t have any from his time in prison), but his story was the reason why I considered starting this special Prison Pulpit series to begin with.

Wang Yi's Prison Preaching Plan (Here's the very first Prison Pulpit!)

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/30

In the coming months, as the anniversary of his arrest and the forced closure of Early Rain church approaches, we will go back over much of what was written during that tumultuous time in late 2018. But for now, let me just encourage you, using an inverse of Hebrews 13:3, not to FORGET Pastor Wang Yi!

Continue to remember him in prayer and intercession, attempting to place yourself in his shoes so that you might pray relevant prayers that he would want you to pray. There’s no way to know for sure, but half an hour spent imagining what it would be like to spend nearly a decade in a Chinese Communist prison will probably give some perspective on prayer that you would probably otherwise lack.

Bill & Charlie: To Die Is Gain

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/bill-and-charlie-to-die-is-gain

Now there is still hope that Wang Yi will be released here in a couple of years, but what should we do when there is no hope of release, or when we suspect the person we are praying for has been killed, or (as in the case of Charlie Kirk) when a Christian leader has indeed been martyred for the cause of Christ?

That’s what I want to talk about today, in part by walking through an article I just published on my substack (ChinaCall.Substack.com) yesterday on what would’ve been the 32nd birthday of Charlie Kirk.

How do we pray, not for the dead themselves, but for their godly legacies to continue to make an impact for generations to come. William Borden is a great example of this, and in this article I compare and contrast his life and legacy with that of Charlie Kirk. The resemblances are remarkable.

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Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Remembering the Children of the Imprisoned (+ Praying for Persecuted Parents)│The Prison Pulpit #51

China Compass — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:01:00 +0000

Today I am talking to a special guest, Annabelle Vaughn, who watched her father get dragged from the front door of their rural Tennessee home four years ago, for the “crime” of conspiracy to protect the unborn.

Paul Vaugn, who was interviewed a couple of times on Crosspolitic, was one of the Nashville 11 who was later arrested for helping the others who committed the “crime” of peacefully blocking the entrance to a (now closed) abortion clinic while praying & singing hymns. (BTW, I interviewed four of the Nashville 11 in July of 2024 just BEFORE their sentencing in Nashville, and you can find those episodes in the podcast archives.)

As you listen, think of how you might better pray both for the persecuted, as well as the families who are often forgotten, yet also suffer in many ways. . .

Contact China Compass

Why the Prison Pulpit?

The goal is to remind everyone to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“Remember those in prison, as bound with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”). I’ve done this by sharing imprisoned Pastor Wang Yi’s writings in China, but since we have none of his writings from WITHIN prison walls, I’ve turned to other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand, to give us a voice, or reminders, or sermons, from prison.

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Beloved NSA Professor (former China TV "Star" & Missionary) Married in Moscow

China Compass — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 13:23:00 +0000

On this special episode of China Compass we revisit a special interview I did last year with NSA Professor (and former China missionary), Brent Pinkall, who is getting married TODAY (Oct 4) here in Moscow to Christiana Hale, also a teacher at NSA (and published author: Deeper Heavens).

In part to honor my buddy Brent, and in part because he's got us groomsman so busy I didn't have time to record a new episode, most of today's episode is of that previous (fascinating) conversation.

Enjoy! And pray for Brent and Christiana as they tie the knot today and begin a new life together!

NEW @ Crosspolitic News:

NBA Back in Bed With China

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/nba-back-in-bed-with-china

You can follow me on Twitter, @chinaadventures, where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com… And if you want to learn more about our missions projects or get one of my books, visit PrayGiveGo.us.

Brent and I discuss a wide range of topics, including...

The Olympics in China (Brent carried the torch in 2008!)
Living in Wuhan long before the pandemic
Liaoning Province being paired with NY, PA, NJ, and Delaware
Practical tips for learning Chinese
Eating big bugs in China
How John Piper introduced me to Brent and became a friend
Delivering Bibles & running from the police in the foothills of Tibet
What its like to be a "star" on Chinese TV
The state of Chinese classical Christian education

Here is the link to the John Piper sermon that God used to introduce Brent and I...

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/my-burden-for-the-truly-unreached-fbc

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/holy-ambition

And here are various links to Brent's book on Chinese classical Christian education, "Redeeming the Six Arts", in both English and Chinese, as well as Christiana Hale's book on the Ransom Trilogyy:

Roman Roads Press：https://romanroadspress.com/store/six-arts/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Six-Arts-Christian-Classical-ebook/dp/B0BXY45TSK/

中文（Chinese): https://www.amazon.com/%E6%95%91%E8%B5%8E%E5%85%AD%E8%89%BA-Redeeming-Six-Arts-Chinese/dp/1944482709/

Deeper Heavens

https://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Heaven-Readers-Lewiss-Trilogy/dp/1944482563/

Live from Macau (China's Las Vegas): Making Pastor Lucky Proud + Urgent Prayer Requests│The Prison Pulpit #50

China Compass — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:06:00 +0000

I'm recording today from my hotel room in Macau, China. Well, the intro and outtro were from today, but the bulk of today's podcast is borrowed from the Macau podcast I did on location on THIS DAY last year. I love being in this city, and the opportunities that it brings. Enjoy today's podcast, thank God for the legacy of Pastor Lucky, pray for the needs presented (and give if you can), and spend time learning the old Gospel history of these regions by checking out The Memoirs of William Milne (Milne.my)!

Why did I begin the Prison Pulpit series?

Both New and Old Content

Today will be a little different as I’m going to share some of what I said exactly one year ago today from right here in Macau. After this short introduction, you will hear me share three things from the podcast I recorded on this day last year: 1) An overview of Macau 2) The Legacy of Pastor Lucky 3) An inside look at the Memoirs of William Milne (which has connections to Macau).

But first, let me remind you why October 1st is an important day in China.

Next, let me tell you why Pastor Lucky would be proud, and how you can pray today…

And lastly, before you hear much more about Macau, a couple of (regrettably) vague prayer requests for some dear friends of ours in China. . .

Find all the books mentioned in today’s podcast right here: PrayGiveGo.us

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Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Live from Hong Kong: Voddie Baucham in Kowloon│NBA Back in Bed With China

China Compass — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 11:20:00 +0000

Today I am recording (almost) live from Hong Kong, China. . . After sharing some fascinating and moving clips of a sermon Voddie Baucham preached here in Kowloon last year, we follow a thread that connects Voddie’s critique of LeBron James in his book “Fault Lines” with the NBA’s hypocrisy and its unholy relationship with China. And last but not least, I had time to talk through the Pray for China cities of the week, including one I will be seeing here in the next few days!

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post new China city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me at (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Voddie Bauchum at Kowloon International Baptist Church (Jan 7, 2024)

https://youtu.be/aQ3Ne8ipWOA?si=o7k06TwFHnErEnaT

Here are the time stamps for the clips I played in the original Youtube video:

Cruising from Singapore to Hong Kong, Greetings (00:09-2:27)
The “forbidden” #4 and intro to Revelation (3:10-4:36)
Kids remember our promises, and God holds the future (29:00-31:00)
Christ is worthy because He conquered the grave (31:00-33:10)
The death rate is one per person. We all die. (33:10-34:30)
He’s the Ruler of Kings on earth: “Bow down you worthless worm!” (34:30-37:40)

Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement & Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/fault-lines-the-social-justice-movement-and-evangelicalisms-looming-catastrophe/

The NBA, LeBron James, and China

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27847951/daryl-morey-was-misinformed-sending-tweet-china-hong-kong

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27846109/sources-adam-silver-had-tense-meeting-lakers-nets-players-china

https://www.venetianmacao.com/entertainment/NBA-china-game-2025.html

Persecution of Uyghurs in China

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-xinjiang-uyghurs-muslims-repression-genocide-human-rights

Pray for China places of the week (See @chinaadventures for daily updates)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-sep-29-oct-5-2025

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

A Complete Sabbath (ie, Bound, Gagged, in a Straitjacket) │The Prison Pulpit #49

China Compass — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:15:00 +0000

Today once again, we turn to Richard Wurmbrand to speak on behalf of the persecuted…

BTW, Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Lutheran minister who spent fourteen years in prison (three in solitary confinement) and published ”Tortured for Christ" after his release in the late 1960s.

He later founded Voice of the Martyrs, but son Michael does NOT recommend VOM’s ministry today. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html)

Michael Wurmbrand now runs his own ministry, and has made most of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/.

The Fullest Sabbath (Preaching in a Straitjacket)

From Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement…

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

In God's Underground: Christ in the Communist Prisons

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Adventures in China, Answered Prayers, and Avoiding Getting Clubbed by Tibetan Monks (Convo with a Canadian Missionary)

China Compass — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 08:05:00 +0000

I recently met up with a Canadian missionary friend, in an undisclosed (Asian) location, to talk about our many China adventures, answered prayers, and how to avoid getting grabbed (or clubbed) by so-called “peaceful” Tibetan monks!

Pray for China places of the week

(See @chinaadventures for daily updates)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-sep-22-28-2025

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China - Unbeaten.vip

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Charlie Kirk On Prayer + A Dying Father Admonishes His Son│The Prison Pulpit #48

China Compass — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:12:00 +0000

Why did I begin the Prison Pulpit series?

The goal is to remind everyone to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“Remember those in prison, as bound with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”). I’ve done this by sharing imprisoned Pastor Wang Yi’s writings in China, as well as anecdotes from other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand.

Charlie Kirk on the Efficacy of Prayer

In late August, just two weeks before his death, Charlie talked about prayer on his podcast in the aftermath of the Minneapolis church/school shooting in a conversation with Michael Knowles…

https://thecharliekirkshow.com/podcasts/the-charlie-kirk-show/where-is-god-when-evil-happens-reacting-to-the-minneapolis-tragedy (9:53-10:51)

Now I want to return to one of Richard Wurmbrand’s Sermons in Solitary Confinement…

Talk With My Son Mihai (Dying Father Admonishes Son)

From Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement…

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

In God's Underground: Christ in the Communist Prisons

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Charlie Kirk: "America Must Shape Up, or China Wins" + Charlie Discusses "Upcoming" Trip to Utah

China Compass — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:34:00 +0000

So in honor of Charlie Kirk, I let him "take the mike" on my weekly China Compass podcast and share his thoughts on China, which he discussed on his own podcast just last week (Sept 3).

Here's his own episode (scroll down for mine): https://x.com/charliekirk11/status/1963270640183685393.

I went through his China takes, commenting and critiquing (only a little) along the way. But honestly, its obvious that Charlie understood China much better than most. He was overall very helpful and I learned a few things myself, especially in the second-to-last segment.

Finally, in that same China episode, Charlie (excitedly) discusses his "upcoming" trip to Utah with his guest, Utah Senator Mike Lee.

I share that sobering clip as a reminder to repent TODAY and trust in Christ: "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." (Ps. 16:9)

After playing the Canon Press (Man Rampant) clip of Charlie Kirk discussing boldness and persecution, I discuss his death and legacy from a number of different angles (0:35). Then we dive into Charlie’s China podcast from last week (17:25). Later, after a brief interlude where Charlie berates the “king” (LeBron) for being a China “toy” (32:53), we finish with a sobering clip of him discussing his upcoming Utah trip (52:39).

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on X, or you can email me any questions/comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Everything else, including my books, is at PrayGiveGo.us!

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

www.BordenofYale.com

Pray for China places of the week (Or, follow @chinaadventures daily…)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-sep-15-21-2025

Charlie Kirk Podcast re: China: America Must Shape Up, or China Wins (Sept 3, 2025)

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/dir-d8vyq-274dd443

2:42-3:28 - Audience of One (Who?)

3:28-3:35 - Not Xi, but Trump!?

3:35-4:31 - Comparing China and America’s military expenses (and size)

4:58-5:34 - What is China? Rival? Enemy? Internationalist ambitions.

5:34-6:08 - Chinese “Friendly” Neighbors. Kirk Meets China’s Vice.

6:09-6:48 - Tougher than the Cold War. China is far more pragmatic.

7:06-8:36 - China’s Moment in Empire vs America’s

8:37-9:09 - Trump Criticizes China (and comparing military $ again)

9:09-10:13 - Who is going to win the 21st Century? Installing a gate in the USA.

10:13-10:42 - US Department of Interior selling Made in China

11:44-13:40 - “The End of History and the Last Man” (Peak Neo-Liberal Ignorance)

13:40-15:49 - Bill Clinton celebrated China’s entrance to the WTO

15:50-17:15 - We are facing the consequences of 1990s pride and cockiness

18:40-21:23 - Charlie talking with Senator Mike Lee about his upcoming visit to Utah

Puppet LeBron: https://www.newsweek.com/lebron-james-oped-china-ccp-nba-basketball-2126431

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Visible Wounds (Blessing in the Tortures) │ The Prison Pulpit #47

China Compass — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:20:00 +0000

Visible Wounds (Blessing in the Torture)

From Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement…

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

School Bus Rollover Accident

This was in Minco, OK, just 3 miles from where my daughter and I almost died in an accident last March!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZAs1YfT_hc

Bee Attack in the Jungle of Peru

Please stop and pray. While our intern was cutting the lawn, he hit a bees’ nest. They swarmed into the cage where Sasha and her puppies were. In trying to protect her pups, Sasha was stung too many times, and is already gone

We were all stung trying to rescue them, but especially Buddy. The puppies are crying, covered in stingers, and now left without their mother. It’s such a heartbreaking situation—please pray for God’s mercy, comfort, and wisdom as we walk through this. (Buddy Fitzgerald Family in Puerto Maldonado)

https://www.facebook.com/buddynloren.fitzgerald

Also, the prayer requests I made last week are still ongoing…

Pray for Brother Daniel (Courney) who has been deported from Nepal. Last I heard, his wife and youngest are still waiting for paperwork for their flight to the USA.

Pray for our Missionary Friends in China (lost job, flooding, electrical issues, children, etc)

I rarely mention money, but you can give to help the missionary friends I just mentioned by scrolling down to the link on our ministry website, PrayforChina.us. (Or email me to ask for other giving methods)

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

China’s WW2 Hubris│Tibet’s Grand Canyon is the World’s Deepest (19k ft! Dam!)

China Compass — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 09:11:00 +0000

(If you're wondering what the "dam" is about, or why it's mispelt (it's not), just listen...)

After a short intro, we jump into the first headline of the week: China Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Defeat of Japan and End of WW2 (1:16). Next, we jump right into China’s 60th Anniversary celebration of subjugating Tibet (12:01), followed by a look at the “run-of-the-river” dam being built in Tibet along a stretch of the river that flows through the world’s deepest canyon (16:51). Finally, today’s show ends with an extended interview with my buddy Jake, who tells some stories after working with us in China a little more than a decade ago.(22:51).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

NEW! China Compass is finally on iTunes: https://app.dropwave.io/feed/show/china-compass

China Communist Party Appropriates WWII Victory As Its Own

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/with-grand-parade-china-projects-its-version-of-war-history-and-its-place-in-the-world

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Beleaguer

Tibet “Celebrates” 60 Years of Chinese Rule (1965-2025)

https://www.deccanherald.com/world/chinas-tibet-marks-anniversary-with-songs-dances-reminders-of-communist-rule-3690809#google_vignette

Some Things Never Change: Annie Taylor’s Failed Venture to Lhasa (1800s)

https://web.archive.org/web/20110929041743/http://www.omf.org/omf/us/resources__1/omf_archives/china_inland_mission_stories/a_lady_s_adventures_in_tibet

Yarlung Tsampo Dam and Grand Canyon

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medog_Hydropower_Station

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run-of-the-river_hydroelectricity

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarlung_Tsangpo_Grand_Canyon

Pray for China

Interceding for all the Cities of China

PrayforChina.us

Pray for China places of the week

(Or, follow @chinaadventures daily…)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-sep-8-14-2025

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

Fraser of Lisuland on "Definite" Prayer (Also, Some Urgent Prayer Requests)│The Prison Pulpit #46

China Compass — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:06:00 +0000

Welcome to the 46th episode in the “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast network!

I want to begin by reading an excerpt from the book I’ve been editing: Behind the Ranges (Fraser of Lisuland). James Fraser spends a lot of time talking about prayer and showing how God answered prayer in his decades spent among an unreached people group in southwest China.

I’m also posting this excerpt to my substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/fraser-of-lisuland-on-definite-prayer

Lastly, here are a few specific (Definite) prayer requests this week, although due to security, much of this info is still somewhat veiled:

Pray for Brother Daniel (Courney) in jail in Nepal, awaiting deportation! (Heb 13:3)

Pray for our Missionary Friends in China (lost job, flooding, electrical issues, children, etc)

Praise God for the miraculous re-uniting of a foster child with his adoptive family in China!

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Are Chinese Students All Commies and Spies? (Deace Says Yea, I Say Nay)

China Compass — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:54:00 +0000

After working through this week’s Pray for China cities (4:28), we jump into the topic of the day: Are Chinese students all spies? (19:05). Lastly, some stories about teaching in China (50:00).

NEW! RSS Feed to add show on iTunes: https://app.dropwave.io/feed/show/china-compass

Pray for China

Interceding for all the Cities of China

PrayforChina.us

Pray for China places of the week

(Or, follow @chinaadventures daily…)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-sep-1-7-2025

So Trump promised to welcome 600k Chinese students into United States universities and Christian political commentator, Steve Deace, is not amused. Here's his show from last week…

No, It's Not 'America First' to Import 600,000 SPIES | 8/26/25 (7:09-7:56, 14:14-29:50)

https://www.podbean.com/ea/dir-8bbvi-2732e521

First, I love the Steve Deace Show for many reasons, but the ignorant takes (in the literal, not name-calling, sense) on China is not one of them:

“Half a million Chinese spies getting into top universities.”
“Importing 600,000 Chinese Communists. . . to preserve (financially) [our already communist and subsidized] universities?”
“Less than 1,000 (US students in China)*, because apparently they care more about their institutions and culture than we do.”
“How ‘bout: we don't take any Chicoms, and we make [American universities] take and train [our] students instead, and tell them they are going to lose all taxpayer funding and subsidies if they don't.”
“[Make American universities great again], instead of depots for Chinese Communists.”

*False: http://en.moe.gov.cn/news/press_releases/201904/t20190418_378586.html

Now, before I explain more, it's worth noting in agreement that opening the door to so many foreign students is probably bad for America, just not for some of the more common reasons given (ie, Chinese students are all spies).

So, are Chinese students spies?

Listen to the podcast for my answers...

One final quote from Steve Deace:

“I cannot imagine there is a single listener or viewer to this program anywhere in America who thinks if we follow through on this, that it would be a net positive for the country. . . 0.0.”

In response, here was my (unsuccessful) submission via Twitter/X to the show's Buy, Sell, or Hold segment the following day:

“In the long run, the lesser number of Chinese Christian students who study in the US (some in places like NSA in Moscow, ID), will have a greater impact than the larger number of "normie" Chinese students who are blackmailed into being pro-CCP hacks.”

What say you?

Feel free to opine on X, or shoot me an email: bfwesten at gmail dot com

Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Follow us on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures), and find much more @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

“Blessed Bitterness”: Weeping in Prayer for the Unreached (w Grandma)│The Prison Pulpit #45

China Compass — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:58:00 +0000

Welcome to the 45th episode in the “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, recording today from Malaysia.

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

The goal is to remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”). I do this (in part) by sharing Pastor Wang Yi’s published writings in China, as well as anecdotes from other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand.

Pray for Brother Daniel in Nepal! (Heb 13:3)

Blessed Bitterness

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/blessed-bitterness

Grandma Mabel: More Than Tongue Can Tell

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/more-than-tongue-can-tell

Follow China Compass

Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Arrested for Spying on North Korea, Illegal in Tibet, and China's Wild, Wild West

China Compass — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:38:00 +0000

China Compass Sponsors:

Pray for China

Interceding for all the Cities of China

PrayforChina.us

Unbeaten

The Story of My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China

Unbeaten.vip

The Memoirs of William Milne

200th Anniversary Edition!

https://milne.my/

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

www.BordenofYale.com

The Autobiography of John G. Paton

Prayer, Perseverance, and the Transformation of Tanna

www.JohnGPaton.com

After a brief look at our China Compass sponsors and this week’s Pray for China cities, we revisit a few exciting stories from LAST summer which didn’t get the traction I had hoped.

First, we head to Jilin (Lucky Forest) and my arrest on the North Korean border in 2003 (13:25).

Then we trek to Tibet where I talk about the geography and language, and my four ILLEGAL visits to the region, the last of which got a gun pulled on me (29:01).

Last, we hop on the train for an epic journey across far west China’s Xinjiang Province (followed by layovers in Urumqi, Dalian, Hiroshima, Tokyo, and Okinawa on my return “flight” home to central China (45:25).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us!

Pray for China places of the week (Follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-aug-24-31-2025

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. And don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk to you again soon!

The Struggles of "Secret" Christians in Dangerous Places│The Prison Pulpit #44

China Compass — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:21:00 +0000

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

Life in Malaysia as a Secret Christian Convert

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/6150340.stm

Recommended Book:

Circumcised Heart (By Hilmy Nor)

For the written content of today's podcast, see my substack:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/praying-for-secret-christians-in

Follow China Compass

Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

No Joke: Chinese Buddhist “Cult” Sponsors Babylon Bee Article│Also: Chinese Crypto, Tibetan Antelope Robots, Chinese PB&J ? (And More)

China Compass — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 10:39:00 +0000

After a brief intro, I jump into the four (very random) China stories of the week (1:25), followed by a deep dive into how the Babylon Bee recently (no joke) promoted Falun Gong, a Chinese Buddhist cult (23:31). For the final five or so minutes, I go through all of the Pray for China cities to "remember" this week. (52:12).

Pray for China places of the week (Follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-aug-17-23-2025

Robot Antelopes in Tibet

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-deploys-robot-antelope-in-tibet-to-surveil-real-herds

China's Strategic Rare Earth Move (50 Years Ago!)

https://indiandefencereview.com/in-1978-chinese-engineers-visited-two-major-american-companies-on-their-return-they-founded-an-empire-rare-earths/

All the Peanut Butter in China?

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/charted-peanut-butter-consumption-per-capita-by-country/

Hong Kong to be China's Crypto Hub

https://cointelegraph.com/news/china-crypto-liquidation-plans-reveal-its-grand-strategy

The Bee: 10 Undeniable Reasons Communist China Is Way Better Than America

https://babylonbee.com/news/10-undeniable-reasons-communist-china-is-way-better-than-america

Not ‘da Bee: Here’s the Falun Gong Streaming Platform That Sponsored the Bee Article

https://www.ganjingworld.com/tag/Falun%20Dafa/1699198512775

More About Falun Gong

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falun_Gong

https://www.ucanews.com/news/falun-gongs-secrets-for-surviving-in-china/85660

Final Thoughts on Falun Gong:

Not a typical cult, but close (ie, mysterious god-like leader, etc)
Not Christian at all, but has some political/practical overlap (right wing, anti-big gov)
Better organized than Christians (calls, vpns, hackers, promotions)

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. And don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk to you again soon!

Lessons on Prayer from C.S. Lewis│The Prison Pulpit #43

China Compass — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:10:00 +0000

Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as anecdotes from other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand.

Remember My Chains: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Today I’m going to look closer at 4 of the letters, dealing primarily with prayer, from last weekend’s podcast on the China letters of C.S. Lewis: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-cs-lewis-china-letters

1940- To his brother Warnie, on the burden of sympathy in a world of “instant” news:

Barfield…is very much depressed, having a greater faculty than you or I for feeling the miseries of the world in general, which led to a good deal of argument, how far, as a man and a Christian, one ought to be vividly and continuously aware of, say, what it's like on the [front]line at this moment.

I took the line that the present rapidity of communication, etc, imposed a burden on sympathy for which sympathy was never made: that the natural thing was to be distressed about what was happening to the poor Jones's in your own village and that the modern situation, in which journalism brings the Chinese, Russians, Finns, Poles and Turks to your notice each morning really could not be [faced] in the same way.

1946- To Dom Bede Griffiths, on a future Christian China and carrying all the world’s burdens:

No, I don't think I feel like you, ‘disillusioned’. I think that though I am emotionally a fairly cheerful person my actual judgement of the world has always been what yours now is and so I have not been disappointed…When you say that nothing… has a value in itself, that everything has a value in relation to God, I couldn't agree with you more. And I often, like you, think that all the valuable future may lie with the Christened Chinaman.

But one mustn't assume burdens that God does not lay upon us. It is one of the evils of rapid diffusion of news that the sorrows of all the world come to us every morning. I think each village was meant to feel pity for its own sick and poor whom it can help and I doubt if it is the duty of any private person to fix his mind on ills which he cannot help. (This may even become an escape from the works of charity we really can do to those we know).

1953- To Father Manna, on the Chinese “disaster” and Western culpability in the matter:

[Dearest Father Manna, regarding] your article on [the] Chinese disaster…I used [to entertain many hopes for China myself], since missionaries have served there for many years not unsuccessfully: now it is clear, as you write, that all is on the ebb. Many have reported to me too, in letters on this subject, many atrocities, nor was this misery absent from our thoughts and prayers.

Footnote- [In his letter] Fr Manna pleads for greater recognition of the gravity of Communist persecution of Christian hospital workers (as well as missionaries) in China. He argues that if [a French Communist Party leader] is arrested in the West, the Communists rise in protest. There should be no less an outcry on behalf of victimized missionaries.

1962- To Mary Van Deusen, on ignoring present pain to pray for the suffering in China:

You are always in my prayers. As regards this particular matter [of moving], I sympathise both with [your husband’s] dislike of noise and your dislike of moves. I suppose one thing we must do about these minor crises is to get them into perspective. At the moment when the nuisance of the move is worst, remember that (at that precise moment) people are dying in pain and others are at their bedside, and in China children starving and men in prison camps and some of them being tortured.

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Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

C.S. Lewis on China (Incl. a Shocking 1927 Exchange Between Lewis and His Brother in Hong Kong)

China Compass — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 23:31:00 +0000

After a brief intro and the first Lewis letter (1:05), I share all ten C.S. Lewis letters that I found this week related to China (and prayer) (7:24). Then with the time I have left, I go through this week’s Pray for China cities, which include a few I want to talk a bit more about (50:55).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new Chinese city prayer profiles every single day, with amazing pics and links to many more China resources. Feel free to email me (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else at PrayGiveGo.us!

Although I can’t attend Grace Agenda in Moscow, ID, which starts today, entitled “Life Through the Wardrobe”, I can do something unique like look at China through Lewis’s eyes letters.

C.S. Lewis mentioned China numerous times in his personal letters. Here are a few examples, followed by my own thoughts and commentary. The first one in particular stands out for how close it comes to outright racism, especially the original letter from Lewis’s brother, Warnie.

But before getting into his China letters, let me mention one other Lewis letter that I just pulled up. Just after William Borden, the millionaire missionary, died in Egypt (he was about 10 years older than Lewis), there is a letter from Lewis (home sick from school) to his father. He writes:

[In the] afternoon came the essay paper which was one after my own heart, the three alternative subjects being ‘The qualities of a successful soldier’ ‘The possibility of an universal language’, and ‘West is west and East is east, and never the twain shall meet’. I chose the last and applied it chiefly to the Indian question. It was much admired by some masters at the College.

I share this for two reasons: First, to remind myself (and anyone else interested) of where my missionary hero Borden fits in the Lewis timeline (or vice versa). Second, to note that at just fifteen years old, Lewis already held strong opinions about the far East (in this case, India).

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

www.BordenofYale.com

Pray for China places of the week

(Follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily)

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-aug-10-16-2025

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

And don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk to you again soon!

C.S. Lewis, Burnt Marshwiggle, and the Brainwashing of Richard Wurmbrand│The Prison Pulpit #42

China Compass — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:40:00 +0000

What Can Puddleglum Teach Us About Praying for the Brainwashed?

C.S. Lewis, Burnt Marshwiggle, and the Brainwashing of Richard Wurmbrand

What Puddleglum Can Teach Us About Praying for the Brainwashed

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/cs-lewis-burnt-marshwiggle-and-the

Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

Also, here’s my own humble attempt at expositing our theme verse, Hebrews 13:3:

Remember My Chains

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Richard’s Old Sermons: https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=50

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Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

MacArthur Didn’t Do His Homework (The True Story of the Millionaire Missionary)

China Compass — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 13:55:00 +0000

After a brief intro, I play a clip of John MacArthur accidentally sharing (10!) falsehoods about the millionaire missionary, William Borden, from a sermon back in 1988 (5:05). Next, I explain some of the details that MacArthur got wrong, and give my broader reflections on the topic (10:20). Last, I include a message about William Borden that I gave back in March of 2024 at the Collegiate Reformed Fellowship in Moscow, ID, telling the amazing true story of the Millionaire Missionary (27:05). I also share my personal connection to Borden’s story at the end (1:01:07).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new Chinese city prayer profiles every single day, including amazing pics and links to more China resources.You can also also email me (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else at PrayGiveGo.us!

MacArthur Didn't Do His Homework

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/macarthur-didnt-do-his-homework

The True Story of the Millionaire Missionary (Borden of Yale)

http://www.BordenofYale.com

Pray for China places of the week (follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily):

Sun, Aug 3 - Pray for Gansu. Gansu’s sister state is Oklahoma: www.Pray4Gansu.com . For even more detailed Gansu info... https://prayforchina.us/index.php/gansu/

Mon, Aug 4 - Pray for Beijing. Beijing is paired with Washington D.C. (and neighboring Maryland counties) for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/maryland/

Tue, Aug 5 - Pray for south-central China’s Guizhou Province. Guizhou is paired with the eastern Missouri for prayer. Check out my special Guizhou podcast: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/guizhou/

Wed, Aug 6 - Pray for Hebei Province, Hebei (“Huh-bay”) Province is paired with both Wisconsin and Michigan for prayer. Check out my Hebei podcast (and more): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/hebei/

Thu, Aug 7 - Pray for Heilongjiang Province (Black Dragon River), which is paired with Minnesota and the UP of Michigan for prayer. For my HLJ podcast (and more): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/heilongjiang/

Fri, Aug 8 - Pray for Henan. Henan is paired with both Kentucky and West Virginia for prayer. Here's my Henan podcast (and more): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/henan/

Sat, Aug 9 - Pray for central China’s Hubei Province, which is paired with Illinois for prayer. For more Hubei info (including a special podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/hubei/

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Collateral Damage: Praying for the Children of the Persecuted│The Prison Pulpit #41

China Compass — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:57:00 +0000

For the written (w/ pics) version of this podcast, visit my substack:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/collateral-damage-the-children-of

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

Also, here’s my own humble attempt at expositing Hebrews 13:3: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Today we are going to talk about praying for the children of persecuted pastors/believers…

Praying for Christian Children in China

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/07/fuzhou-how-to-pray/

Next, I want to read some excerpts from an interview I found of Michael Wurmbrand, the now 80+ year old son of Richard Wurmbrand and founder of the Richard Wurmbrand Foundation.

BTW, Michael does NOT recommend the ministry of Voice of the Martyrs, which he helped to found many decades ago. He was fired from the ministry more than ten years ago, when he demanded a more broad inquiry into the travels and contacts of former VOM director, Tom White, who committed suicide in VOM’s Bartlesville, OK, warehouse in 2012, after allegations surfaced of him molesting a ten year old girl. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html)

Michael Wurmbrand also runs another ministry, Help For Refugees, focused primarily on his native Romania, and has made all of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free since VOM continues to use his parents’ likeness and writings without his permission. I personally support Wurmbrand’s Help for Refugees monthly and love getting their newsletter with previously unpublished reflections by Richard Wurmbrand included each month.

Now, without further ado, let’s work through much of the following interview, which covers key events in Michael Wurmbrand’s very difficult childhood in communist Romania…

Michael (aka, Mihai) Talks About His Childhood Suffering

https://www.richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/michael-wurmbrand-interview.pdf

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Bold in Black Dragon River│More Missionary Musings on Immigration (No Beef in Cuba)

China Compass — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 10:34:00 +0000

Today’s podcast begins with a few personal updates (1:00), followed by a 22 year old newsletter of mine from Black Dragon River (5:11). Then, after talking about the waterspout I saw just after returning from my illegal voyage (12:52), I give more background info on my Cuban refugee friend, Mitchell, and Cuba's laws against beef(!) (14:39). Last, after a final follow-up conversation on illegal immigration (34:56), I finish by talking through the unique places in China we’ll be praying for this week. (51:18)

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com or find everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us!

Pray for China places of the week (follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily):

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-july-27-aug-2-2025

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Syrian Pastor, Family Massacred ("They Shot Patients In Their Beds")│The Prison Pulpit #40

China Compass — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:17:00 +0000

Today we are going to take a few minutes to remember to pray for a small group of persecuted and/or suffering Christians that have been in the news this past week…

A Christian pastor in Syria was massacred recently, along with others from the Druze community, including one from my home state of Oklahoma (and others with connections to friends in Venezuela).

BTW, here’s my own humble attempt at expositing Hebrews 13:3: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Evangelical pastor, family massacred by terrorists in Syria; at least 12 dead

https://www.christianpost.com/news/evangelical-pastor-family-killed-by-terrorists-in-syria-20-dead.html

https://syriacpress.com/blog/2025/07/19/pastor-khalid-mezher-martyred-alongside-his-family-in-suwayda/

https://www.osvnews.com/syrian-christian-leaders-say-islamist-government-cant-protect-them-or-druze/

CBN Video/Audio Clip I Shared On Today’s Podcast: https://youtu.be/e-iziN2MSgM?si=_PM6bCjS0OMaE5us (0:05-5:52)

'They shot patients in beds' – BBC hears claims of massacre at Suweida hospital

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly84jn000do

Family says US citizen killed in Syria’s Suwayda

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/07/family-says-us-citizen-killed-syrias-suwayda

From a former missionary to Venezuela and the Muslims of the Mediterranean:

Over 40 years ago a lot of Lebanese and Syrians went to Venezuela. Two young Syrian Druze girls got saved in Venezuela… Eventually more of the family got saved and made a connection with one of [our] ministers… I got to know them too although they lived far from Caracas - about 12 hours by bus. We are still in close contact and now a lot of the family has moved to Michigan. I called one friend yesterday and she told me about their family in Syria (including cousins who have been killed). In Venezuela, all our Arab friends were Druze from Lebanon and Syria and one of our missionaries [taught] English in the Druze village of Majdal Shams [in Israel’s Golan Heights], on the border of Syria and Lebanon.

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Missionary Musings on Immigration (Also: My 36 Hours As An Illegal)

China Compass — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 17:31:00 +0000

Today’s illegal immigration focuses podcast begins with a couple reminders and updates (0:18), followed by a lengthy conversation (me, myself, and I) about hoping to give more context to the overall immigration topic (4:18), including some interesting stories about my wife and I, and my 36 hours as an illegal migrant in the country that shall not be named (12:41), as well as the story of my illegal migrant (at least, for a time) Cuban friend, Mitchell. (39:40)

Unbeaten: Confronting the Lies (and Laughter) of the Chinese Communist Police

The Story of My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China

Unbeaten.vip

A few quick updates:

Pray4China.us is now an alternative to our usual domain: PrayforChina.us

Chinacompass.vip takes you to our podcast home page on the FLF network

Let me know if you want your own PrayforChina link! (OKSisterState.com, Praymo.org)

Pray for China provinces of the week (follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily):

Sun, July 20 - Yunnan is paired with Arkansas and Louisiana for prayer. Learn more and listen to my Yunnan podcast: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/yunnan/

Mon, July 21 - Zhejiang is paired with NC for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/zhejiang/ Hudson Taylor fell in love with Maria here in Zhejiang. Check out the podcast.

Tue, July 22 - Tropical Guangdong is paired with Florida for prayer. For more info (and podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/guangdong/

Wed, July 23 - Chongqing is paired with SE Texas for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/texas/

Thu, July 24 - Shanghai is paired with NYC for prayer. For more info, and the Shanghai podcast: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/shanghai/

Fri, July 25 - Tianjin, just east of China’s capital, is paired with Maryland for prayer. For my moving podcast about the many martyrs of Tianjin: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/tianjin/

Sat, July 26 - Guangxi is paired with Mississippi and Alabama for prayer. For the Guangxi podcast, Mountain Chief: I Don't Want Your Jesus… https://prayforchina.us/index.php/guangxi/

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

MacArthur’s Shortest Exposition (Heb. 13:3)│My Uncle Jack Tackled Johnny Mac (Prison Pulpit #39)

China Compass — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:23:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, recording today in the little Thai town of Betong, on the border with Malaysia. Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as more prison stories and sermons from others like the late Richard Wurmbrand.

Here’s my humble attempt at expositing Hebrews 13:3:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

But today it dawned on me that there was an opportunity to honor John MacArthur and keep mostly to the topic of this mid-week podcast, reminding us to pray for the persecuted church.

Before sharing the John MacArthur preaching clip from 1973 on Hebrews 13:3, I briefly talk about the following topics…

My first MacArthur memory: Scary Nursing Home Book Stand

My best MacArthur memory: Titus exposition (via mp3) from Istanbul to Sophia, Bulgaria

My only visit to Grace Community Church: Random Tuesday in 2012

My favorite MacArthur sermon: https://www.gty.org/sermons/GTY104/the-tale-of-two-sons

My closest connection to John MacArthur: My late Uncle Jack

Read the written version of today’s podcast on my Substack:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/macarthurs-shortest-exposition-ever

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A Tale of Two Teenagers and Two Tibetan Towns│Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur

China Compass — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 11:13:00 +0000

Today’s podcast begins with some exciting and helpful updates (0:18), followed by a little bit of China/Asia/US news with Marco Rubio here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (10:43). Then, after a short word about how impressed I am with our missionary friends here in Bangkok (21:08), we have a lengthy testimony time as I share a series of updates and stories from 22 years ago this week (24:00), followed by our Pray for China segment (and even more stories) right up to the end. (47:59)

First, a few quick updates:

Pray4China.us is now an alternative to our usual domain: PrayforChina.us
Chinacompass.vip takes you to our podcast home page on the Fight Laugh Feast network website: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293
PrayMo.org is Missouri’s dedicated Pray for China link. Please contact me if you want one for your state! (ie, OKSisterState.com)

Not the Bee Makes My Point from Last Week

https://notthebee.com/article/china-says-the-dalai-lama-must-follow-chinese-law-if-he-wants-to-reincarnate

Rubio meets China's Wang Yi in Malaysia as trade tensions deepen

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/us-china-marco-rubio-wang-yi-meeting-asean-trade-tensions-5232851

A True Tale of Two Teenagers and Two Tibetan Towns

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/a-true-tale-of-two-teenagers-and

Pray for China cities of the week:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-july-13-19-2025

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Is Brother Bai Still Alive? │The Prison Pulpit #38

China Compass — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:29:00 +0000

Welcome to another episode in the “Prison Pulpit” series on the Fight Laugh Feast network’s China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, still trying to get settled here in Malaysia.

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as more prison stories and sermons from others like the late Richard Wurmbrand.

Today on my daily evening China prayer post (@chinaadventures), the county in focus was Hezheng in Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province, NW China. This is the region where we lived for many years.

As I was looking for pics to include in the post (the region is beautiful, with many large mountains, not to mention countless villages nestled in and around all the foothills), my mind kept turning to a few of the PEOPLE I know (or knew) from this county, and one in particular: Brother Bai.

Today I want to tell you his story, at least the parts that I know, and encourage you to pray for him (and others like him), as if you were with them; as if you were in their shoes (or lack thereof), living in their mountain valleys, isolated from other believers, marginalized by the non-Christian majority, forgotten by all but a few in the outside world.

Read the written version of the story on my Substack:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-unforgettable-brother-bai

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China’s “Roman Roads”, Trouble in Tibet, and the (Planned) Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama

China Compass — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 12:36:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, trying to get settled here in Malaysia!

Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com or find everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us!

World's Highest Bridge

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/china-worlds-tallest-or-highest-bridge-set-to-open-1.500184059

China Train Enthusiast Breaks Record

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/6/chinese-train-enthusiast-rides-rails-for-over-5000-km-in-24-hours-to-break-record

BBC visits heart of Tibetan resistance as Dalai Lama-China Showdown Looms

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y772jlpgzo

Pray for China cities of the week:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-july-6-12-2025

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Iranian Underground: Christian Dad Loses Handicapped Son While Serving Unjust Sentence │The Prison Pulpit #37

China Compass — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:01:00 +0000

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as more prison stories and sermons from others like the late Richard Wurmbrand.

Today we’re going to deviate a little bit from China and talk about the ongoing persecution of Christians in Iran. Believe it or not, I just got access to my show’s analytics, and I happened to notice that we have a handful of downloads from Iran of all places. If you’re out there, please know that we are praying for you! And I hope that many more will be praying for you after today’s episode!

BTW, I’ve always been fascinated with Iran and I’m excited to know that the church is growing there! If there wasn’t an extremely high risk of getting arrested, I would love to visit personally. (I almost got a Peruvian passport for that very reason.) But the closest I have come is flying over the heart of the country (at least once) on a Europe to Asia flight, swimming in the Persian Gulf (across from Iran) with my son in 2009, and flying along the Iranian border with Iraq on a flight from Oman to London in May.

Over 300 Prosecuted in Tehran, Nearly 100 Sentenced to Long Prison Terms for Practicing Faith

https://iranhumanrights.org/2025/04/imprisonment-of-christians-jumps-six-fold-in-iran-as-persecution-intensifies/

Harsh punishments meted out to two Iranian believers who have already escaped the country

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/iran-christians-exile/

New Attacks in Nigeria Leave 200+ Dead

https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/new-attacks-in-nigeria-leave-200-dead/

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A (China) Conversation with Ray Comfort │First Day in Malaysia

China Compass — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, trying to get settled here in Malaysia!

Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com

The bulk of today’s episode is an interview I did with Ray Comfort, the founder of Living Waters. We spoke Tuesday, via Zoom from my hotel on the China border (Ray was at his office in LA). Ray Comfort has been faithfully equipping Christians in biblical evangelism for decades, and his message, Hell’s Best Kept Secret, had a huge impact on me as a teenager way back in 1999.

Living Waters exists to inspire and equip Christians to fulfill the Great Commission by training believers in the principles of biblical evangelism and providing practical tools to proclaim the gospel: livingwaters.com/

The Living Waters Podcast: The Roots of Communism and Why It’s Unbiblical

https://livingwaters.com/episode/roots-of-communism-and-why-its-unbiblical/

During our conversation I explain to Ray that California is matched up with Xinjiang Province for prayer, then I go through this week's Pray for China cities at the end of the podcast:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-june-29-july-5-2025

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

From China's Southern Border: Letter to a Fellow Pastor in Prison │The Prison Pulpit #36

China Compass — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:10:00 +0000

Welcome to another episode in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, recording from an undisclosed location on the Chinese border. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?

To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as more prison stories and sermons from others like the late Richard Wurmbrand.

The Memoirs of William Milne

200th Anniversary Edition!

https://milne.my/

Today’s “reminder” is from China Partnership (https://chinapartnership.org/), a ministry that supports “the local, indigenous church already in China. Much like scaffolding supports a skyscraper, [they] support the church in China by offering resources, theological education, translation, prayer, and much more.”

Letter to a Prisoner

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/05/letter-to-a-prisoner/

Bonus Pics of the Pearl River Delta (which I mentioned at the end of today’s podcast):

https://english.news.cn/20221004/cc3c5037cf27459d9d9011a53108c29d/c.html

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The Missionary and the Podcast Ninja Discuss Golf, Chinese Dialects, and the NBA Finals (Gm 7!) Between the "Indiana Fast Horses" and the "OKC Thunderbolts"

China Compass — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 19:01:00 +0000

Welcome to another very special NBA Finals edition of the China Compass Podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! (Check out the first NBA Finals podcast we did a few weeks ago here: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/95)

Follow me on X for updates and reminders to Pray for China: @chinaadventures - Here is the link to the Pray for China cities of the week, which I shared at the beginning of todays episode:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-june-22-28-2025

If you are wondering what the NBA Finals has to do with China, keep listening (especially to the first 25 or so minutes, or check out the recent piece I wrote for Crosspolitic News:

The Thunder Take The Basketball World By Storm

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/the-thunder-take-the-basketball-world-by-storm

On this episode, recorded on Sat/Sun (Saturday in Indiana, Sunday in Hong Kong), June 22, about 24 hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the "Indiana Fast Horses and the OKC Thunderbolts" (listen to learn more), Luke McKinney (aka, the Podcast Ninja) and I discuss golf, languages, Chinese names, and then our favorite (and not so favorite) things from this 7 game series between our favorite NBA teams

I'll be back this week with your regularly scheduled Prison Pulpit podcast...

Finally, please visit PrayGiveGo.us for links to all of our ministry activities and resources!

Missionary Ben’s Daughters Discuss Growing Up In China (And Dad’s Deportation)

China Compass — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 07:57:00 +0000

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, flying to Malaysia (via Hong Kong) as this podcast drops!

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China. X is also the best way to contact me. Just follow and send a DM. You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com

Who is Missionary Ben?

I haven’t done this in a long time, but every now and then I am reminded I should probably give a little bit more of my background (and my China bonafides). Now I can’t divulge very much, for security reasons, but here are the basics: moved to China at the age of 19, in the early 2000s, taught myself to speak (and read) Chinese. Lived there w/ my family til I was deported in 2018.

Unbeaten: Confronting the Lies (and Laughter) of the Chinese Communist Police

The Story of My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

Over those nearly 15 years, I set foot in every province, and visited hundreds of cities, towns, and villages. Alongside our evangelistic work, I helped manage a leather factory in a Muslim town, opened a yak burger/pizza restaurant on the Tibetan Plateau, served as a guide and Tibetan taxi driver, and taught English to elementary kids, high schoolers, and young adults.

How I Taught Myself Mandarin (And How You Can Learn Chinese Too, But Won’t)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/how-i-taught-myself-mandarin

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Praying for Pastors Facing Gov't Surveillance and Harassment │The Prison Pulpit #35

China Compass — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 08:20:00 +0000

Welcome to another special episode in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, recording my final episode in Oklahoma this year. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Once again I first want to remind you why I started this weekly Prison Pulpit series: to encourage us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (like Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us, by sharing from his own words, as well as the many prison stories and sermons from the late Richard Wurmbrand.

Praying for Urban Pastors (via China Partnership: https://chinapartnership.org/)

June 16 - “There’s been a crackdown on churches in Changsha,” says one pastor, “with some being disbanded or banned. Our church was affected too, under government control and surveillance. So, we gradually shifted to meeting in small groups. Our numbers have dropped by about two-fifths. The spiritual fervor isn’t as strong as before.” Pray for churches who have shifted to a small group model, for good fellowship and discipleship to occur even if they can’t meet together as a full congregation.

June 17 - A pastor in Changsha says, “The biggest challenge is evangelism. If you hand out tracts openly, you’ll be noticed. Another challenge is the lack of trust between people. If you try to share the gospel with strangers, they’re immediately on guard. I think about how I’d react if a stranger enthusiastically introduced something to me—I’d be suspicious too. So, evangelism now has to focus on people we already know, within relationships of trust.” Pray for sustainable evangelism in Changsha, for Christians to build long-term relationships with unbelievers where they can model the life of Christ.

June 18 - A pastor in Changsha says, “Many university students became Christians [in the past], and now, at around 40 years old, they’re the backbone of the church. Many families homeschool or do co-op learning instead of public school. But as kids get older, parents worry about their future—especially since it’s hard for homeschooled kids to get into public universities, and large families face financial pressure.” Pray for families feeling financial pressure and anxiety about education in the future.

June 19 - “There’s always anxiety about the police knocking on the door,” says a pastor in Changsha. “Even though we know what to do, it’s still scary when it happens. For example, during Good Friday this year, we were meeting online with a group in [in another city], and suddenly, the screen went blank—they messaged us that the police were knocking. We stopped everything to pray for them. It’s a real fear.” Pray for believers to know the peace, strength, and comfort of Christ in the midst of increasing persecution and harassment.

June 20 - “Sometimes we get harassing calls from the authorities,” says a pastor in Changsha, “and it’s always a bit nerve-wracking. The more you interact with them, the braver you get, but it’s still a struggle.” Pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit for churches in Changsha, and for wisdom when dealing with the authorities.

Follow China Compass

Should We Want More (Or Less) Chinese Students in America? │Family Vacay in China?

China Compass — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 07:03:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, back in OKC, but packing for our move to Malaysia this week! Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China. X is also the best way to contact me. Just follow and send a DM. You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com

After reintroducing myself and giving my China bonafides (0:40), I talk all about why Chinese students should or shouldn’t study in the USA (5:15). Next, we look at the Pray for China cities of the week (31:34), followed by a listener letter about possibly visiting China (44:25).

Who is Missionary Ben?

Unbeaten: Confronting the Lies (and Laughter) of the Chinese Communist Police

The Story of My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)

How I Taught Myself Mandarin (And How You Can Learn Chinese Too, But Won’t)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/how-i-taught-myself-mandarin

New Visa Policies Put America First, Not China (May 28)

https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/05/new-visa-policies-put-america-first-not-china/

Trump: CHINESE STUDENTS [HAVE] ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH ME! (June 11)

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114664632971715644

Pray for China (June 15-21)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-june-15-21-2025

China Visa Free Transit

https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-resumes-144-hour-visa-free-transit-policy-for-foreigners-who-can-apply

Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Bonhoeffer's Prison Poetry (and Prayers) │The Prison Pulpit #34

China Compass — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:38:00 +0000

Welcome to another special episode in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, back in Oklahoma for one more week (this year). Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

I want to remind you once again why I do this weekly Prison Pulpit series: to encourage you to pray for Pastor Wang Yi (and others like him) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us, by sharing from his own words and sermons, as well as many stories and sermons from the late Richard Wurmbrand.

Today, we will look at the Prison Poetry (and Prayer) of another famous Christian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/bonhoeffers-prison-poetry-and-prayers

Follow China Compass

Follow or subscribe to China Compass wherever you are listening. You can also send any questions or comments via comment or DM on X: @chinaadventures. Hebrews 13:3

Pastor Wang Yi to Dictator Xi: Repent or Perish! │Arrested on the North Korean Border

China Compass — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:59:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, coming to you from the Pacific Northwest! Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). X is also the best way to contact me. Just follow and either tag me in a message or send a DM.

After discussing Pastor Wang Yi’s bold message for Dictator Xi (6:40), I explain how China’s “Great Leader” got Winnie the Pooh cancelled on the mainland (10:49). Then, after a promo for The Memoirs of William Milne (19:18), we look briefly at Trump’s not-so-wise position regarding China (25:43). Finally, we look at the Pray for China cities of the week (40:24), and I talk about the time I was taken in for “spying” on North Korea 22 years ago this summer (52:15).

Wang Yi Calls Xi Jinping to Repent and Trust in Christ

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/if-xi-jinping-does-not-repent-he

China’s Thin-Skinned Dictator and Winnie the Pooh

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/chinese-president-xi-jinping-winnie-the-pooh-taiwan-b1073403.html

https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/xijinpingwinniethepooh/

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3043614/xi-jinping-winnie-pooh-and-canadian-origins-bear

https://www.history.com/articles/the-true-story-of-the-real-life-winnie-the-pooh

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!)

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

Trump: Xi is Very Hard to Deal With

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114623632387180206

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114631295762726849

Pray for China (June 8-14)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-june-8-14-2025

Please follow/subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite platform. Also check out my books and everything else we’re involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

The Missionary and the Podcast Ninja Debate the NBA Finals Between Their Hometown Teams (Indiana vs OKC)

China Compass — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:35:00 +0000

Welcome to this very special NBA Finals edition of the China Compass Podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network!

If you are wondering what the NBA Finals has to do with China, keep listening or check out the recent piece I wrote for Crosspolitic News:

The Thunder Take The Basketball World By Storm

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/the-thunder-take-the-basketball-world-by-storm

On this episode, recorded on Wednesday, June 4, Luke McKinney (aka, the Podcast Ninja from The Comedian Next Door) and I discuss and debate the upcoming NBA Finals matchup between our hometown teams, the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, which begins on Thursday, June 5.

I'll be back this weekend with your regularly scheduled China Compass podcast...

Visit PrayGiveGo.us for links to all of our ministry activities and resources!

Wang Yi's Pastoral Prayer on the Anniversary of Tiananmen │The Prison Pulpit #33

China Compass — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:01:00 +0000

Welcome to another special episode in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, currently in Moscow, Idaho. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Pastor Wang Yi’s Prayer for the (Chinese) Nation

https://www.wangyilibrary.org/en/post/a-prayer-for-the-nation

Bonus: If Xi Jinping Does Not Repent, He Will Perish!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWuv55YgKjY

Follow China Compass

Follow or subscribe to China Compass wherever you are listening. You can also send any questions or comments via comment or DM on X: @chinaadventures. Hebrews 13:3

Trump's China Trade Truce In Trouble │Hide ‘N Seek with the Chinese Police

China Compass — Sat, 31 May 2025 08:00:00 +0000

After discussing Trump’s China trade truce trouble and potential Chinese student deportations (1:00), I talk a bit about the Uyghur diaspora’s problems with Chinese spies and the mechanism China has used to control them for many decades (24:36). Lastly, we cover this week’s Chinese cities to pray for (34:27), followed by a couple of new stories about playing “hide ‘n seek” with the Chinese police 10 years ago this week (40:42).

Trump's China Truce Not Going So Well

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114596705340367716

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/29/china/china-us-truce-chips-student-visa-intl-hnk

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/29/politics/us-china-trade-talk-frustration

Uyghurs welcome Turkey's crackdown on Chinese spy ring

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Uyghurs-welcome-Turkey-s-crackdown-on-Chinese-spy-ring

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinjiang_Production_and_Construction_Corps

Pray for China (June 1-7)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-june-1-7-2025

Hide ‘N Seek with the Chinese Police (10 Years Ago This Week)

Hezheng (June 1, 2015) - Teammates Arrested

Linxia (June 5, 2015) - Grocery Store/Van Incident

Unbeaten

Confronting the Lies (and Laughter) of the Chinese Communist Police

The story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018: Unbeaten.vip

Please follow/subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite platform. Also check out my books and everything else we’re involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

What Will You Do In the Time of Testing? │The Prison Pulpit #32

China Compass — Wed, 28 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to another special episode in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series on the China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, back from Asia. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Why the Prison Pulpit?

Bucharest Below!

Speaking of Wurmbrand, just a couple hours after posting last week’s episode of the Prison Pulpit, my flight from Oman to London took me directly over Iraq (dry and desolate), Turkey (green and gorgeous), and then after crossing the Black Sea, Bucharest, Romania, where Richard Wurmbrand was from, and where he was arrested and spent years in solitary confinement!

I’ve been to Bucharest once, even meeting a few folks who KNEW Wurmbrand, but I don’t know the city well enough to locate anything in particular from the sky. However, it was fascinating nonetheless!

Unbeaten.vip

Also, and I promise this is the last time I’ll mention this until NEXT year, Sunday, May 25, was the anniversary of my arrest and interrogation seven years ago…UNBEATEN.VIP!

May 25, 2018: 21 Japanese detained in China likely targeted in crackdown on missionaries

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2147864/21-japanese-detained-china-may-have-been-targeted

What Will You Do In the Time of Testing?

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/what-will-you-do-in-the-time-of-testing

Follow China Compass

Follow or subscribe to China Compass wherever you are listening. You can also send any questions or comments via comment or DM on X: @chinaadventures. Hebrews 13:3

Overnight in Oman (Live from Muscat)│The Prison Pulpit #31

China Compass — Tue, 20 May 2025 08:29:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #31 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

I want to begin again by reminding you why I started this weekly China Compass series: to encourage you to pray for Pastor Wang Yi (and others like him) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us, by sharing from his own words and sermons. (We’ve also learned a lot from Richard Wurmbrand.)

This month is the anniversary of my arrest and interrogation seven years ago…UNBEATEN.VIP!

I recorded last week's episode in Malaysia, discussing the difficult and potentially dangerous situation for Christians in Malaysia. Today (tonight) I’m on a long layover in Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, SE of Dubai, and just across the Sea of Oman south of Iran.

Christianity and Persecution in Oman

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Oman

https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/countries/oman/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman

Samuel Zwemer on Borden of Yale (BordenofYale.com)

I never saw anyone come to Egypt with eyes more open to see the kingdom of God. Others come to see the mummies, study history, or join the crowds of tourists flocking to the pyramids, never once lifting their eyes to see the fields “ripe for harvest” (John 4:35). Borden had not even been in Cairo two weeks before he mobilized the seminary students to attempt a door to door outreach, hoping to give away Christian literature to the whole city of nearly a million people.

Here was a man built like an athlete, with the mind of a scholar and theologian in regard to God’s truth, and the heart of a little child, full of faith and love. He was so kind in his visits to our own home that our children would bounce upon his knee as if they had known him for years.

Knowing that he would have to learn Chinese eventually, he came to Cairo to become fluent in Arabic first. Here was a young man who deliberately set out to learn not one but two of the most difficult languages in the world, before diving into his life’s calling of declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ to China’s Muslims.

Dr. Samuel Zwemer (1867–1952)

Zwemer Overview: https://medium.com/@derekmhopper/samuel-zwemer-and-his-arabian-mission-1891-1913-89242aa0bdf

Zwemer’s Book, The Law of Apostasy in Islam: https://archive.org/details/lawofapostasyini00zwem

Follow China Compass

Follow or subscribe to China Compass wherever you are listening. You can also send any questions or comments via comment or DM on X: @chinaadventures. Hebrews 13:3

Trump Drinks Chinese Kool-Aid (Will China "Fully Open” To American Businesses?) │ Debating Trump vs China on Steve Deace Show

China Compass — Sat, 17 May 2025 14:54:00 +0000

Today I first discuss Trump’s recent comments about China “opening up” to the US (1:21). Next, I share my tweet that made the Steve Deace show Wednesday, critiquing their response (15:41). Last, we finish up with our weekly Pray for China segment, including a few new stories and book recommendations (31:31).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, coming to you today (almost live?) from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). X is also the best way to contact me. Just follow and either tag me in a message or send a DM.

Trump says China agrees to 'fully' open country's markets to US businesses

China has agreed to "open itself up to American business" according to Pres. Donald Trump.

The arrangement was arguably the most significant development stemming from the trade negotiations, Trump told reporters Monday at the White House. Plans have yet to be finalized and "papered," but Trump said that China is on board with the agreement.

"The biggest thing to me is the opening up," Trump told reporters Monday. "It would be, I think it would be fantastic for our businesses if we could go in and compete with China. It would be a lot of jobs for China. . .I think it's maybe the most important thing to happen, because if you think about it, we opened up our country to China," Trump said. "They come. We don't. I mean, they have very few restrictions, and they didn't open their country to us, never made sense to them. It's not fair. And they've agreed to open China fully open…and I think it's going to be fantastic."

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-china-agrees-fully-open-countrys-markets-us-businesses

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-a-historic-trade-win-for-the-united-states/

China Compass on the Steve Deace Show (5-14-25, 1:23:40-1:28:10)

“I think we agreed to negotiate with China just a bit too soon. If the tariffs were truly hitting the Commies harder than us, not sure why we couldn't have let them sweat at least long enough for one (fully-tariffed) ship to cross the Pacific. Let them get desperate.”

https://x.com/chinaadventures/status/1922489116186280321?t=bkjrWaugvcFsj11wBDEADA&s=19

Unbeaten (My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China): Unbeaten.vip

Pray for China (May 17-23): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-may-17-23-2025

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!): https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

Please follow/subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite platform. Also check out my books and everything else we’re involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

Kidnapped in Kuala Lumpur │The Prison Pulpit #30

China Compass — Wed, 14 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #30 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

I wanted to begin by reminding everyone why I started this 2nd weekly China Compass podcast. I want to encourage people to pray for Pastor Wang Yi (and others like him, as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us) by sharing from his own words and sermons. (We’ve also looked at sermons from Richard Wurmbrand.)

Earlier this month, I told the story of my arrest and interrogation seven years ago…

Get my book and other special content @ UNBEATEN.VIP!

Last week, we talked about Richard Wurmbrand and read another one of his exhortations. Sometime soon, we’ll return to Richard Wurmbrand’s collection of Sermons in Solitary Confinement, but today I want to discuss the unique and potentially dangerous situation for Christians in Malaysia.

Christian Pastors Abducted in Malaysia

https://www.uscirf.gov/religious-prisoners-conscience/forb-victims-database/raymond-koh

https://www.uscirf.gov/religious-prisoners-conscience/forb-victims-database/joshua-hilmy

A Look at Malaysia’s Laws Against Sharing Christ With Muslims

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Malaysia

https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/index.php/s/151363

https://www.dw.com/en/malaysia-to-deport-christian-finns-for-proselytizing/a-46464573

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Live from Hong Kong: China Will “Never Kneel Down!” (Except On the Necks of Martyrs) │How Has Hong Kong Changed Since the Handover?

China Compass — Sat, 10 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, coming to you today (tomorrow?) from Hong Kong, my old stomping grounds!

I begin by talking about how Hong Kong has changed (or not) over the last 20 or so years, and look at a couple of recent news articles that deal with the changes (0:18). Next, I go into more detail about the Hong Kong changeover in 1997 (23:46). Then, I talk about China’s tariff situation and laughable propaganda attempt (35:30), before finishing with a moving missionary martyr story and our weekly Pray for China segment (47:35).

“I've reported dozens to the police”, says Hong Kong Pro-China Informer

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87p97w72exo

How Hong Kong Came Under ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Rule

https://www.history.com/articles/hong-kong-china-great-britain

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China

Unbeaten.vip (Please read and review!)

China In No Rush to Seek Deal With US (Or Admit Trade-War Pain)

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-china-is-in-no-rush-to-seek-u-s-trade-deal-0fab0eb2

https://www.wsj.com/world/china/beijing-doesnt-want-america-to-see-its-trade-war-pain-1981ede8

‘High Tariffs Must Stop’: US Consumers Hurt by Duties on ‘Made in China’ Products

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1333315.shtml

China's Foreign Ministry Releases “Never Kneel Down!" in Response to ‘Reckless’ Tariffs https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1333124.shtml

Missionary Couple (The Stams) Murdered By Communists While Kneeling in the Dust

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/31

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/anhui/1934-john-betty-stam

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Death-Legacy-John-Betty/dp/080243276X/

Pray for China: May 10-16, 2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/pray-for-china-may-10-16-2025

If you enjoy this podcast, follow/subscribe and leave a review on your favorite platform.

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) for daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). X/Twitter is also the best way to get in touch. Just tweet at me or send a DM. Also check out everything else we’re involved in, including all my books, @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

How To See Angels │The Prison Pulpit #29

China Compass — Thu, 08 May 2025 05:15:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #29 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Last week, I shared my heart and told stories about my arrest and interrogation exactly seven years ago… Get my book and other special content @ UNBEATEN.VIP!

Why Prison Pulpit?

I also wanted to remind everyone again why I started this second weekly China Compass podcast. I want to encourage people to pray for Pastor Wang Yi (and others like him, as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us) by sharing from his own words and sermons. (We’ve also looked at sermons from Richard Wurmbrand.)

Sometime soon, we’ll return to Richard Wurmbrand’s collection of Sermons in Solitary Confinement, but today I want to read an excerpt from a newsletter I received last week from Michael Wurmbrand, the now 80+ year old son of Richard Wurmbrand and founder of the Richard Wurmbrand Foundation.

What's Wrong With VOM?

Michael Wurmbrand also runs another parallel ministry, Help For Refugees, focused primarily on his native Romania, and has made all of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free since VOM continues to use his parents’ likeness and writings without his permission.

In contrast, check out one of my favorite ministries, Asia Harvest: https://www.asiaharvest.org/

How To See Angels

All that to say that in each month’s ministry newsletter, he includes a formerly unpublished homily or devotional by his late father, Richard Wurmbrand. And that’s what I’m going to share with you now…

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/how-to-see-angels

A Word from Michael Wurmbrand

Also, here is a quote I stumbled across earlier from Michael Wurmbrand, which should challenge us:

“As my father emphasized many times, the head of the serpent needs to be crushed and we need not tickle its belly. Christians have to attack the head of evil. Love of money is the root of all evil. The reason the communists wanted and worked to see us dead, was described by one of the Romanian communist ambassadors in a confidential discussion: ‘because of Wurmbrand, Romania lost preferred-nation status with the United States, 8 years in a row.’ (Isn’t that amazing, that one man did that?!)

While many missions fight [evil with] programs, countless banks and businessmen support evil in the same areas through their financial interest, [doing] business as usual, like [in] China, Vietnam, Moslem countries, etc. How can a Christian in good conscience work and draw a salary in the oil industry in Moslem countries where his fellow Christians are maimed, even killed for their faith? How can Christians while claiming to help persecuted believers in China, encourage trade with the communist Chinese?”

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Follow or subscribe to China Compass wherever you are listening. You can also send any comments or questions via DM on X: @chinaadventures. Hebrews 13:3!

From Interrogation to Deportation & Why China is NOT Dangerous for Missionaries

China Compass — Sat, 03 May 2025 07:25:00 +0000

After a brief introduction, I share the story of how Pray for China got going five years ago this week, during the pandemic lockdown in Peru (2:31). Next, I remember the sobering days following my initial arrest and interrogation seven years ago this week (10:11). Then, I talk through my latest Crosspolitic News piece on China (35:15) before finishing with our weekly Pray for China segment (55:00).

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). X is also the best way to contact me. Just follow and send a DM. Finally, get access to everything we are involved in, including all my books, @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Read and review!)

Unbeaten.vip

Crosspolitic News: Understanding China’s “New” Missionary Ban (Like and share!)

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/understanding-chinas-new-missionary-ban

Pray for China: May 3-9, 2025 (Please pray!)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-may-3-9-2025

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

Interrogated in China 7 Years Ago Tonight (And How to Pray For Those In Similar Circumstances) (The Prison Pulpit #28)

China Compass — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:40:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #28 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

First, I want to remind everyone why I started this second weekly podcast within China Compass. I want to encourage people to pray for Pastor Wang Yi (and others like him, as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us) by sharing from his own words and sermons. We’ve also looked at sermons from Richard Wurmbrand.

But today I’m taking a break from Richard Wurmbrand’s Sermons in Solitary Confinement, to talk about what happened to me exactly 7 years ago, when I was arrested and interrogated in China.

Specifically, after recounting my memories for a bit, I want to share some thoughts on how to pray for others who may someday find themselves in a similar situation. For instance, if you know someone is going to be undergoing intense questioning or interrogations related to their testimony or ministry, here are some specific things (from one who has been in that very situation) to pray for:

Pray for clarity of mind (and wisdom)
Pray for boldness (against fear and worry)
Pray for family (who may not know what is going on)

Get the book and other special content @ UNBEATEN.VIP!

Follow China CompassFollow or subscribe to China Compass wherever you are listening. You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina . us or send me a DM on X: @chinaadventures. Hebrews 13:3

Chinese Grandma Jailed (4 Years!) for Giving Away Bibles and Why You Should Ignore China’s "New" Missionary Ban

China Compass — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 03:27:00 +0000

After a brief intro, I begin by looking at why Xi refuses to negotiate with Trump on tariffs (1:50). Next, I talk about the state of Christian publishing in China (8:45), followed by an extended look at some recent persecution of Chinese believers (16:23), Then, after a deep dive into the newly revised rules for the religious activities of foreigners in China (32:15), we finish with our weekly Pray for China segment (54:06).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). X is also the best way to contact me. Just follow and send a DM. Finally, get access to everything we are involved in, including all my books, @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Trump's Gambit Sends Shivers Through China (The CCP Fears Giving In To US Demand)

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-Trump-s-non-tariff-gambit-sends-shivers-through-China

As China Closes Brick and Mortar Christian Book Stores, Digital Publishing Grows

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/04/china-christian-publishing-ebooks-digital-ministry/

Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China

Unbeaten.vip

Church Raids Increase While CCP Leadership Meets

https://www.rfa.org/english/china/2025/03/07/china-npc-christians-raid-protestant-church/

Nine Chinese Christians Convicted for Illegally Reselling Legally Published Bibles

https://notthebee.com/article/9-christians-imprisoned-fined-over-100k-for-distributing-bibles-in-china

Newly Revised Rules for the Regulations on Religious Activities of Foreign Nationals

https://www.chinajob.com/city_content/detail.php?id=lqxwidfvei4wBmgglj

Did China Just Criminalize Missionary Work?

https://washingtonstand.com/news/china-cracks-down-on-foreign-missionaries-

https://www.persecution.org/2025/04/04/china-moves-to-formally-ban-missionary-activity/

https://bitterwinter.org/religious-activities-by-foreigners-in-china-new-restrictions-from-may-1/

Pray for China (April 26-May 2): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-april-26-may-2-2025

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

On Laban, Leah, and Loving Ugly Souls │Sermons in Solitary Confinement (The Prison Pulpit #27)

China Compass — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:01:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #27 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

First, I want to remind everyone why I started this second weekly podcast within China Compass. I wanted to remind people to pray for Pastor Wang Yi (and others like him, as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us) by sharing from his own words and sermons. We kept at it for a dozen weeks or so (Oct and Dec of last year), working through Wang Yi’s pre-arrest letters and declarations.

Next we return to Richard Wurmbrand’s Sermons in Solitary Confinement:

I then began an extended series working through Richard Wurmbrand’s Sermons in Solitary Confinement, giving us a glimpse of life from within the walls of persecution from the perspective of a well-known pastor.

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Lutheran minister who spent fourteen years in prison (three in solitary confinement) and published ”Tortured for Christ" after his release in the late 1960s.

He later founded Voice of the Martyrs, but son Michael does NOT recommend VOM’s ministry today. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html)

Michael Wurmbrand now runs his own ministry, and has made most of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/.

The last two weeks I took a break from the Sermons in Solitary Confinement series to share a couple excerpts from Richard Wurmband’s longer book of prison stories & meditations, In God's Underground (https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf), but today we return to the Solitary Confinement Sermons, looking at a shorter one called “Word Made Flesh”, found on pages 65-67 in the original book (scanned to pdf): Sermons in Solitary Confinement.

As I’ve said before, I want to preface this (as Wurmbrand himself did) with the statement that he is sharing these prison sermons “as is”, not editing out certain thoughts that he may have disagreed with later in life, or in more mentally stable moments. Not to say that they are heretical sermons either, but that they are not here presented to be as theologically accurate as possible, but to give us a glimpse into the heart, mind, and solitary cell of a prisoner for Christ.

Here is the text version of this week’s prison sermon:

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/on-laban-leah-and-loving-ugly-souls

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Easter in a Chinese Church │"Ignorant Hillbilly" Vance Insults China's Peasants │Bible Tariffs?

China Compass — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 04:42:00 +0000

Today I begin by remembering Borden of Yale’s death in April of 1913, as well as talking about what Easter looks like in China (1:13. Next, I go into a lengthy discussion on Vance’s comments on Chinese peasants, China’s reaction, and the reality of China’s urban vs rural divide (11:05). Lastly, I talk about whether or not tariffs will affect Bibles printed in China (53:00), followed by a short Pray for China segment right at the very end (57:00).

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

www.BordenofYale.com

Unbeaten

My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China

Unbeaten.vip

Vance on China’s Peasants…

https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-trolls-jd-vance-turning-161211908.html

China: Land of Contrast: https://china.myadventures.org/post/tibetan-sunburn/

China’s rural-urban divide and its effects

https://english.ckgsb.edu.cn/knowledge/article/growing-closer-chinas-rural-urban-divide-and-its-effects/

https://fsi.stanford.edu/news/china%E2%80%99s-rural-population-going-play-instrumental-role-its-economic-future

Adventures on the Schizocycle: And the Difficulty of Reaching China's Muslim Peasants

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/adventures-on-the-schizocycle

Bible Tariffs?

https://www.koreadailyus.com/trump-bible-tariff-raise-prices/

https://firstthings.com/chinas-threat-to-the-bible/

https://www.bookweb.org/news/overview-2025-tariffs-1631822

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/12/business/economy/china-tariff-product-costs.html

Pray for China (April 19-25): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-april-19-25-2025

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

Does Wang Yi Even Know It’s Easter? │Stories are (Prison) Soul Food (The Prison Pulpit #26)

China Compass — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:45:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #26 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

First, I want to remind everyone why I started this second weekly podcast within China Compass. I wanted to remind people to pray for Pastor Wang Yi (as Hebrews 13:3 says) by reading some of his own words and sermons. Today I want to take a minute and remind everyone of Wang Yi’s current situation… https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/the-struggle-for-freedom-the-christian-pastor-convicted-of-subversion-against-the-chinese-regime

Next we turn to Richard Wurmbrand to give us a beautiful Easter testimony from Room Number 4:

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Lutheran minister who spent fourteen years in prison (three in solitary confinement) and published ”Tortured for Christ" after his release in the late 1960s.

He later founded Voice of the Martyrs, but son Michael does NOT recommend VOM’s ministry today. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html)

Michael Wurmbrand now runs his own ministry, and has made most of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/.

Last week I took a break from the Sermons in Solitary Confinement series to read an excerpt from Richard Wurmband’s longer book of prison stories & meditations, In God's Underground (https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf). Today I will do the same.

Here is the text version of this week’s story from prison:

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/gafencus-two-lumps-of-sugar

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Tariff Wars: China Digs In│Influencer Propaganda: Will the “Real” China Please Stand Up? (China Compass

China Compass — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:42:00 +0000

This week I begin with going back over my China “bonifides” (0:00), before jumping into the crazy tariff war news from China, where I touch on many different aspects of the situation, and quote many different sources (9:17). Lastly, we have a more brief than usual Pray for China segment, which includes a couple of stories from when I set up my business in China back in 2007 (50:58).

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post detailed daily reminders to pray for China (www.PrayforChina.us). BTW, X is also the best way to get in touch with me. Either tag me with a question or comment, or follow and send a DM. Finally, PrayGiveGo.us has easy access to everything that I am involved in, including books, Substack, and this podcast.

Check out my little book, Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China

Unbeaten.vip

The Bee: Democrats Worried Trump May Not Have China's Best Interests At Heart

https://babylonbee.com/news/democrats-concerned-trump-may-not-have-chinas-best-interests-at-heart

Pray for China (PrayforChina.us)

April 12-18 Pray for China Cities

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-april-12-18-2025

18 Years Ago This Month: Getting Family Visas after Opening of Snowy Mountain Cafe

https://china.myadventures.org/post/cant-win-for-losin-with-chinas-bureaucracy-part-1/

If Torture Means Compromise, Is Dying Gain? │Richard Wurmbrand (The Prison Pulpit #24)

China Compass — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:12:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #25 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Once again, we turn to Richard Wurmbrand to give us a glimpse into the suffering of the persecuted church…

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Lutheran minister who spent fourteen years in prison (three in solitary confinement) and published ”Tortured for Christ" after his release in the late 1960s.

He later founded Voice of the Martyrs, but son Michael does NOT recommend VOM’s ministry today. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html)

Michael Wurmbrand now runs his own ministry, and has made most of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/.

Last week I read an excerpt from a “Sermon To My Own Soul”, (or, “Preaching in a Straitjacket (Gagged)”, from Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement, where he writes the following:

You know my secret. You know the place where I have hidden some thirty sleeping pills which, taken at once, will ensure that I do not become a Judas. These suicides are acts of love and honor. They protect the Underground church.

Read the text version of last week’s podcast here:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/preaching-in-a-straitjacket-gagged

Today I am reading a portion from Richard Wurmband’s longer book of prison stories & meditations, In God's Underground (https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf) where he gives more context (and a finale) to the potential suicide that he only mentions in the aforementioned sermon.

Here is the text version of this week’s podcast:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/to-live-is-compromise-to-die-is-gain

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China’s Trump Tariff Retaliation │Xi’s Disappearing Generals │Stolen Passport

China Compass — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Today we start with news from China (Xi Jinping's Disappearing Generals, China’s Tariff Retaliation, Delay of Panama Canal Port Sale) (1:32), followed by an extended Pray for China segment, which includes a number of fun stories from my years in China (25:58).

Mystery deepens over disappearances of Xi's 'trusted' generals (Paywall)

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-Mystery-deepens-over-disappearances-of-Xi-s-trusted-generals

China’s Response to Trump Tariffs

https://nypost.com/2025/04/02/business/china-blocks-its-firms-from-investing-amid-us-trade-war/

China Pressures HK’s Richest Family to Drop Sale of Panama Canal Port to Blackrock

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/hong-kong-hutchison-panama-ports-deal-li-ka-shing-family-china-angry-5033861

Pray for China (PrayforChina.us/@chinaadventures)

April 5-11 Pray for China Cities

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-april-5-11-2025

21 Years Ago This Week: Hubei to Guangzhou (Canton) to get a new passport

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/how-to-lose-your-passport

Robert Morrison/William Milne lived/labored on Shamian Island, old site of US Consulate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamian

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!)

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

Preaching in a Straitjacket (Gagged) │Sermons in Solitary Confinement (The Prison Pulpit #24)

China Compass — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:48:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #24 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Once again, we turn to Richard Wurmbrand to speak to us on behalf of the persecuted church…

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Lutheran minister who spent fourteen years in prison (three in solitary confinement) and published ”Tortured for Christ" after his release in the late 1960s.

He later founded Voice of the Martyrs, but son Michael does NOT recommend VOM’s ministry today. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html)

Michael Wurmbrand now runs his own ministry, and has made most of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/.

What follows was taken from a “Sermon To My Own Soul”, (or, “Preaching in a Straitjacket (Gagged)”, one of the sermons in Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement.

Read the text version of this podcast here: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/preaching-in-a-straitjacket-gagged

If you enjoyed this, I highly recommend Richard Wurmband’s longer book of prison stories & meditations, In God's Underground: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

Pray for Myanmar

Asia Harvest: “Our staff have taken the Gospel outside—meeting in villages, under trees, and in open spaces to share the hope of Christ (see our photo below). In this desperate time, more and more people are joining the gatherings, searching for hope and stability. The hunger for truth is growing, and God continues to move in this nation.”

Please pray for the people of Myanmar, and if you would like to donate to help the earthquake relief work

we guarantee that 100 percent of the funds received will go to help people in the affected areas. Nothing will be deducted for admin or any other expense.

https://www.asiaharvest.org/myanmar-earthquake

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My little book Unbeaten tells the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. One of the appendices, Remember My Chains, is a sermon I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get the book at http://Unbeaten.vip, or read just the sermon for free on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Chinatown: Tokyo? │The Bee On Chinese Food │Deport Anyone

China Compass — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 04:26:00 +0000

Today we start with China related news (Tokyo Chinatown, Chinese Restaurants, Deportations) (1:15), followed by the weekly Pray for China segment, including five focused minutes on William Milne (22:20). Finally, I share a newsletter I wrote from Hubei Province in April of 2003, when I was just 19 y/o (34:10).

Chinatowns Proliferate in… Japan? (Paywall)

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Chinese-in-Japan/Just-like-in-China-Chinatowns-proliferate-across-Japan

The Bee: How to Make Sure a Chinese Restaurant is Legit?

https://babylonbee.com/news/9-things-to-look-for-to-make-sure-a-chinese-food-restaurant-is-legit

PHD Student from Turkey to be Deported Over Pro-Hamas Comments

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/27/us/rumeysa-ozturk-detained-what-we-know/index.html

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/03/28/ice-kidnapped-our-neighbor-outrage-at-arrest-of-tufts-student-spreads-as-lawmakers-demand-answers/

Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) - 5 Minutes on William Milne…

Sat, Mar 29 - Pray for Xixia District in the capital of the Ningxia region Yinchuan (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xixia,_Yinchuan). Ningxia is paired with the western ⅓ of Missouri for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us. I’ve traveled throughout Ningxia and share a few stories in this podcast: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/11

Sun, Mar 30 - Pray for Karamay City (“Black Oil” in Uyghur) in northern Xinjiang (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karamay). I spent time in Xinjiang back in 2015, exploring and distributing Uyghur tracts.

Read: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/aksu-to-okinawa

Listen: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/7

Xinjiang is paired for prayer with six of the western States (CA, OR, WA, NV, AZ, AK): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/xinjiang/

22 Year Old Missionary Update (by 19 Year Old Me):

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/22-year-old-missionary-newsletter

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

Like Samson in Prison: Am I a Martyr or a Sinner? (The Prison Pulpit #23)

China Compass — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:02:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #23 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (http://PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve published, visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Once again, we turn to Richard Wurmbrand to speak to us on behalf of the persecuted church…

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian Lutheran minister who spent fourteen years in prison (three in solitary confinement) and published ”Tortured for Christ" after his release in the late 1960s.

He later founded Voice of the Martyrs, but son Michael does NOT recommend VOM’s ministry today. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html)

Michael Wurmbrand now runs his own ministry, and has made most of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/.

What follows was taken from “Samson in Prison”, one of the sermons in Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement.

Read the text version of this podcast here: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/samson-in-prison

If you enjoyed this, I highly recommend Richard Wurmband’s longer book of prison stories & meditations, In God's Underground: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

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China’s Economic Woes │Chinese Prostitution Grows │A Grief Observed

China Compass — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 20:15:00 +0000

We start with news about China’s economic woes (1:10), followed by our Pray for China segment, where I share stories (among other things) of fried frogs and prostitution (22:27). Finally, I share excerpts from the journals of the grieving missionary William Milne on the anniversary of his wife Rachel’s death (38:01).

Missouri Wins $24B Lawsuit Against China

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/missouri-wins-lawsuit-against-china-with-24b-ruling

China Questions Walmart Over Trump Tariff Response

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/China-questions-Walmart-over-response-to-Trump-tariff-costs (Paywall)

China Job Worries Deepen

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/China-job-worries-deepen-as-Trump-hikes-tariffs-and-automation-spreads (Paywall)

Pray for China (PrayforChina.us)

Mar 22 (Sat) - Pray for Cixi (“Tsuh-shee”) in Ningbo City of Zhejiang Province, near where Hudson Taylor served and met his wife, Maria: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cixi,_Zhejiang

Zhejiang (“Juh-jiang”) is paired with North Carolina for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/zhejiang/

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/zhejiang

Learn more about how Hudson Taylor fell in love with Maria here on this podcast: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/24

Mar 23 (Sun) - Pray for Heyuan City in northern Guangdong, which I visited for the first and only time in August of 2002, distributing tracts by night: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heyuan

Guangdong is paired with Florida for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/guangdong/

My Guangdong podcast: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/15

More Guangdong info: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangdong

On This Day 205 Years Ago…

One Year Bereaved: William Milne Reflects on Losing His Wife Rachel

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/one-year-bereaved

The Memoirs of William Milne: https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use. And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

Duty Never Ends, Especially in Solitary Confinement (The Prison Pulpit #22)

China Compass — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:04:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #22 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish, please visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Once again, we turn to the late Richard Wurmbrand to speak to us on behalf of the persecuted church…

First, for those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief intro:

Romanian Lutheran minister / 14 yrs in prison, 3 in solitary confinement / Published ”Tortured for Christ"

Founded Voice of the Martyrs, but son Michael (aka, Mihai) does NOT recommend VOM’s ministry.

Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM “Open Letter”: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html

Michael Wurmbrand’s Ministry (and free books!): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Sermons in Solitary Confinement: Duty Never Ends

Most likely published in the early 1970s, just a few years after he fled Communist Romania…

Read the book for yourself: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

What follows was taken from “Duty Never Ends”, one of the sermons in Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement. You can read the book for yourself or listen to the audio version of this article on the latest episode of the China Compass podcast.

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/duty-never-ends

If you enjoyed this, I highly recommend Richard Wurmband’s longer book of prison stories & meditations, In God's Underground: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

My little book Unbeaten tells the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. One of the appendices, Remember My Chains, is a message I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get both the book and the accompanying sermon, at Unbeaten.vip, or read the latter for free on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Follow or subscribe to China Compass on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3!

On Deflation, Dueling, and (Almost) Dying

China Compass — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 13:18:00 +0000

We start with some news about China’s “deflationary spiral” (1:01), followed by a look at a fascinating diatribe against “dueling” from missionary William Milne (12:08). Next, we look at how to pray for China this week (20:20) and then hear about how I almost died a year ago today (30:52). Finally, I tell three stories of near-death experiences in China (35:24).

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post detailed daily reminders to pray for China (www.PrayforChina.us). BTW, X is also the best way to get in touch with me. Either tag me with a question or comment, or follow and send a DM. Finally, PrayGiveGo.us has easy access to almost everything that I am involved in, including books, Substack, this podcast, and our dedicated pray for China website.

China’s Deflationary Spiral

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/10/economy/china-cpi-deflation-problems-intl-hnk/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/deflation-hit-china-one-store-holds-flash-sales-four-times-day-2025-03-10/

On This Day…

William Milne's Diatribe Against Dueling

Also See: The Memoirs of William Milne: https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

PrayforChina.us

Mar 16 (Sunday) - Pray for Menyuan Chinese Muslim County in NE Qinghai Province: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menyuan_Hui_Autonomous_County

Qinghai (“Cheeng-high”) is paired with southern CO, west TX, and NM for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/states/colorado.html

To listen to the Qinghai podcast and learn more, please visit…

https://prayforchina.us/index.php/qinghai/

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/qinghai

Dead Orthodoxy (and its Cure): https://anekopress.com/product/dead-orthodoxy-and-its-cure/

I Almost Died One Year Ago Tonight…

3 Near-Death Experiences in China

First Motorcycle Ride (January, 2005)

Frozen on Dalijia Pass (January, 2005)

Highway Splits (February, 2005)

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use. And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

“Permission" to Cough in Communist China (The Prison Pulpit #21)

China Compass — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 11:25:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #21 in this “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish, please visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

My little book Unbeaten tells the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. One of the appendices, Remember My Chains, is a message I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get both the book and the accompanying sermon, at www.Unbeaten.vip, or read the latter for free on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Once again, we are turning to the late Richard Wurmbrand to speak to us on behalf of those of the persecuted church who are currently being imprisoned and tortured for Christ.

For those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief intro:

Lutheran minister in Romania.

14 years in prison, 3 in solitary confinement.

After “escaping”, published ”Tortured for Christ"

Helped start Voice of the Martyrs (however…)

Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM “Open Letter”: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html

Michael Wurmbrand’s ministry (free books!): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Sermons in Solitary Confinement

Most likely published in the early 1970s, just a few years after he fled Communist Romania…

Read the book for yourself: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

Today's excerpt comes from: A Christian Prisoner Encounters Gabriel

Also, today we looked at a short, unpublished Bible meditation by the late Reverend Richard Wurmbrand, edited by his son Michael:

In Chinese Prisons You Need Permission To Cough

In Red China's prisons, our brethren and sisters in faith have to sit motionless, leaning toward the wall, from five in the morning until nine o'clock at night, day after day, month after month, for years. Every day is for them like an enemy decided to torture them to death. They are not allowed to speak to the other inmates of the cell. They are forbidden to cough, to laugh, or to weep. If a prisoner has to cough, he must say to the warden who continually spies on him "Bau-gau," which means "Please give me permission." It is "Bau-gau" for spitting, for scratching oneself, for killing vermin. (Not exactly: to baogao is tomake a report or confess)

If all at once or someone in the cell goes mad and begins to sing, the rest have to sit motionless, while their fellow-prisoner is silenced through beatings. And how could they help him? They have chains on their hands and feet.

In Hebrews 13:3 it is written, "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them."

Try to sit six hours like this, motionless, on the floor (in prison, it is on the cold concrete), to see how your brethren fare! They endure not only this physical suffering and food which has the taste of sawdust. They suffer from doubts, too. "Why did my Heavenly Father allow me to come here?"

Our brethren bear all this for Christ's sake.

Please check out Richard Wurmband’s longer book of prison stories, In God's Underground: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3!

A North Korean Vacation? │6 "Considerations" Before Preaching │China’s Christian Hotel

China Compass — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 10:15:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post detailed daily reminders to pray for China (www.PrayforChina.us). BTW, X is also the best way to get in touch with me. Either tag me with a question or comment, or follow and send a DM. Finally, PrayGiveGo.us has easy access to almost everything that I am involved in, including books, Substack, this podcast, and our dedicated pray for China website.

Today we begin with some North Korea news (1:07), followed by a look at some 214 year old preaching advice from missionary William Milne (34:18). Next, we look at how to pray for China this week (39:20) and hear a number of stories, especially the one about the Chrisitan hotel near North Korea in Lucky Forest.

This Week’s (North Korea) News

Why China is wary of North Korea’s embrace of Russia

https://www.ft.com/content/d4094f65-de08-4fcf-ab11-424ef152e89e

Families of Captured North Koreans to be Executed

https://www.yahoo.com/news/families-captured-north-korean-troops-090313885.html

North Korea Reopens After Five Years

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/north-korea-reopens-foreign-tourists-special-economic-zone-pyongyang-closed-4966381

Western Tourists Shocked by North Korea

https://www.yahoo.com/news/western-tourists-given-rare-glimpse-112527445.html

North Korea Tours Quickly Suspended

https://www.rfa.org/english/korea/2025/03/06/north-korea-foreign-tour-suspension/

South Korean Travel to China Surges

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/03/113_392898.html

On This Day…

200 Year Old Preaching Advice from William Milne

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/200-year-old-preaching-advice

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!)

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

Pray for China (March 9-15, 2025)

Systematically and Strategically Interceding for All of China

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-march-9-15-2025

Mar 9 - Pray for Jiaozuo (“Gee’ao-dzwah”) in heavily populated Henan Province, one of the few Chinese prefectures that I've never previously heard of. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaozuo

Henan is paired up with Kentucky and West Virginia for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

Here's my Henan podcast (and more): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/henan/

Mar 10 - Pray for Jianli in Hubei Province's Jingzhou Prefecture, one of China's many million+ cities almost no one has heard of: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jianli

Hubei (“Who-bay”) is matched with Illinois for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

For more about Hubei (incl. my podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/hubei/

Mar 11 - Pray for Zhangjiajie City in the breathtaking mountains of NW Hunan: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhangjiajie. Hunan literally translates to “south of the lake” and is paired with both Indiana and Ohio for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

For more about Hunan (incl. my podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/hunan/

Mar 12 - Pray for Kunshan City in Suzhou Prefecture in eastern China's Jiangsu Province: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunshan.

Jiangsu Province is paired with Tennessee for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

For more about Jiangsu (incl. my podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/Jiangsu/

Mar 13 - Pray for Fengcheng (“Fungchung”) City in Yichun Prefecture in SE China’s Jiangxi Province: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fengcheng,_Jiangxi

Jiangxi is paired with Georgia for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

For more about Jiangxi (incl. my podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/Jiangxi/

Mar 14 - Pray for Meihekou City in Jilin Province’s Tonghua Prefecture, home of the Christian hotel I visited back in 2003: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meihekou

Jilin (“Lucky Forest”) is paired with all of New England for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

For more about Jilin (incl. my podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/jilin/

Mar 15 - Pray for Panjin Prefecture in NE China's Liaoning Province, a place I visited one day back in 2003: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panjin. Liaoning is paired for prayer with New York, PA, NJ & Delaware: https://prayforchina.us/states/new-york.html

For more about Liaoning (& my podcast): https://prayforchina.us/index.php/Liaoning/

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe and leave a review on whichever platform you use. And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, Verse 2!

Sermons in Solitary Confinement: Is God Unjust? (The Prison Pulpit #20)

China Compass — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:31:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #20 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish, please visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

Richard Wurmbrand: Once again, we are going to turn to the late Richard Wurmbrand to speak to us on behalf of those of the persecuted church who are currently being imprisoned and tortured for Christ.

For those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief intro:

Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement.

After “escaping”, published ”Tortured for Christ" in the 1960s and testified to Congress.

Helped start Voice of the Martyrs (but his son Michael doesn’t trust VOM).

Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html

Michael Wurmbrand’s ministry (free books!): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Sermons in Solitary Confinement

Most likely published in the early 1970s, just a few years after he fled from Communist Romania…

Read the book for yourself: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

Today we look at portions from the first sermon in the collection, God’s Unjust Laws:

Here's the portion about lying that I discussed a little more in depth...

"Thou shalt not bear false witness” is a law for the man who has no reason to lie, or perhaps is not even able to do so, not having the slightest imagination; it is also for me, who has to answer the Communist interrogator. If I tell him the truth, as he asks me, appealing to my Christian obligation, many other arrests will follow. Rahab, after having hid the two Israelite spies, lied, saying that she did not know where they came from or where they had gone. Did she do wrong?

I remember that Spurgeon preached on this subject, and said that he had often tried to put himself in Rahab's place. Supposing he had hidden some persecuted Protestants and was asked by the authorities if they were in his house. What would his answer have been? It is known that he was very strict against lying. We had to lie in the Nazi times, too. So I was interested to read what he said:

"I have tried to imagine what I would say, and have never yet been able to make up my mind ••• I have more light than Rahab, and certainly I have had more leisure to consider the case, and yet I do not see my way. I am not sure whether Rahab's lie was not more honest and outspoken than many an evasion which has suggested itself to very clever people."

I have often quoted his words to brethren who were worried about having to lie to oppressing authorities. Spurgeon could not make up his mind. I have made up mine. I lie to the Communist examining officers, and I must say I do it with delight.

Here is the link to Richard Wurmband’s longer prison book, In God's Underground: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

My little book Unbeaten tells the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. One of the appendices, Remember My Chains, is a message I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get both the book and the accompanying sermon, at Unbeaten.vip, or read the latter for free on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3!

The ‘Real’ China? │China: U.S. ‘Greatest’ Human Rights Violator │Two Insane Weeks

China Compass — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 12:17:00 +0000

We start with this week’s China propaganda update (2:27), followed by a look at a 112 y/o letter from Borden in Cairo (34:05). Next, we look at how to Pray for China this week (39:19) followed by an insane team schedule that I unearthed from exactly 12 years ago in NW China (46:06).

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us. And don’t forget to check out all the things we are doing at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10:2!

China/Russia vs Ukraine/USA: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1329289.shtml

The “Real China” Breaks Through: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1329281.shtml

Death Sentence for Child Trafficker: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1329258.shtml

China: US Violates Human Rights: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329294.shtml

Borden’s Arab Homestay: https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/arab-homestay

Pray for China (PrayforChina.us)

Mar 1 (Sat) - Pray for Tongling in Anhui Province, which is paired with Iowa for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

Anhui Podcast: Beheaded https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/31

Mar 2 (Sun) - Pray for Siming District in Xiamen Prefecture of SE China's Fujian Province, which is paired with South Carolina for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

Fujian podcast and more info…https://prayforchina.us/index.php/fujian/

Mar 3 (Mon) - Pray for Chengguan (“CityGate”) District, the urban core of Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province, which is paired for prayer with its sister state of Oklahoma: www.Pray4Gansu.com

Here's my Gansu podcast (and more)... https://prayforchina.us/index.php/gansu/

Mar 4 (Tue) - Pray for Shijingshan District in the suburbs of west-central Beijing, which is paired with Washington DC (and MD) for prayer: prayforchina.us/index.php/maryland/

My Tiananmen Crosspolitic interview: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/videos/30786

Mar 5 (Wed) - Pray for Kaili City, the most populated in Qiandongnan Prefecture in Guizhou Province, which is paired with Missouri for prayer: www.prayforchina.us/states/missouri.html

Here's the Guizhou podcast (and more)... https://prayforchina.us/index.php/guizhou/

Mar 6 (Thu) - Pray for landlocked Nada Town, the largest in Danzhou Prefecture on Hainan Island, which is paired with Hawaii for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

Here's the Hainan pod: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/37

Mar 7 (Fri) - Pray for Yongnian District in Handan City, in southern Hebei Province. “Huh-bay” is paired with both Wisconsin and Michigan for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/michigan/

Here's my Hebei pod: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/39

Mar 8 (Sat) - Pray for Nangang District, the most populated in Harbin City, the capital of Heilongjiang, which is paired with MN and the UP of MI for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/michigan/

My Heilongjiang podcast: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/20

Listen to hear the "Insane Adventures" I share at the end of today's podcast...

Wurmbrand: Join Me In My Subterranean Prison (The Prison Pulpit #19)

China Compass — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:47:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #19 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish, please visit www.PrayGiveGo.us!

For those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief intro:

Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement.

After “escaping”, published ”Tortured for Christ" in the 1960s and testified to Congress.

Helped start Voice of the Martyrs (but his son Michael doesn’t trust VOM).

Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html

Michael Wurmbrand’s ministry (free books!): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Sermons in Solitary Confinement

No publishing date, but most likely in the early 1970s, just a few years after he fled from Romania…

Today we looked at the second half of the Preface…

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

Also, here is the link to Richard Wurmband’s book In God's Underground: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3!

Chinese Propaganda Leans Left │The Death of Mrs Milne │My First Motorcycle (Crash)

China Compass — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:40:00 +0000

We start with this week’s China news (1:34), followed by my take on whether or not Borden would’ve remained single on the mission field. (10:30). Next, we look at William Milne’s journal from February (1819), as he bares his soul after the loss of his beloved Rachel (14:53). Lastly, we look at how to Pray for China this week (42:48) followed by the story of the day I taught myself to ride a motorcycle in China, by traversing the foothills of Tibet (49:50).

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). Check out all of the other things we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us.

China Questions US Air Safety

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328736.shtml

Letters from Xi Jinping (aka, Winnie the Pooh)

https://www.globaltimes.cn/special-coverage/Letters-from-Xi/index.html

Lonely in Cairo

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/language-learning-and-loneliness

The Birth of a Child and the Death of Rachel Milne

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/a-babys-birth-and-a-mothers-death

PrayforChina.us (@chinaadventures on X):

Feb 24 - Pray for Bortala Mongol Prefecture in northern Xinjiang Province. Xinjiang is paired for prayer with seven western States (CA, OR, WA, NV, AZ, and AK): www.PrayforChina.us

Feb 25 - Pray for Qinzhou (“Cheen-joe”) Prefecture near the coast of southern China's Guangxi Province, which is paired with Mississippi and Alabama for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

Feb 26 - Pray for Songshan District in Chifeng Prefecture, the most populated of Inner Mongolia province in northern China, which is paired with the Dakotas for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

Feb 27 - Pray for Pingluo County on the banks of the Yellow River in Shizuishan Prefecture in the northern Ningxia, which is paired with western Missouri for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

Feb 28 - Pray for Jing’an District in the cosmopolitan urban center of Shanghai. Shanghai is paired with NYC for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/states/new-york.html

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV. You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us. And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10:2!

Sermons in Solitary Confinement (The Prison Pulpit #18)

China Compass — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:40:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #18 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish, please visit PrayGiveGo.us!

My little book Unbeaten tells the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. One of the appendices, Remember My Chains, is a message I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get both the book and the accompanying sermon, at Unbeaten.vip, or read the latter for free on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Richard Wurmbrand:

Once again, we are going to turn to the late Richard Wurmbrand to speak to us on behalf of those of the persecuted church who are currently, actively, being imprisoned and tortured for Christ.

For those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief intro:

Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement.
After “escaping” abroad, published ”Tortured for Christ" in the 1960s and testified to Congress.
Helped start Voice of the Martyrs (but his son Michael doesn’t trust VOM).
Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html
Michael Wurmbrand’s ministry (free books!): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Sermons in Solitary Confinement

No publishing date, but most likely in the early 1970s, just a few years after he fled from Romania…

Today we just looked at the first half of the Preface…

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3!

Cancel All Chinese Student Visas? / How To Teach Yourself Mandarin / Surrounded in Shunde

China Compass — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 05:01:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). Check out all of the other things we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us.

I begin by recommending a relatively unknown ministry (richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/) that I respect and support (0:44). Then we talk about the pros and cons of deporting all Chinese students in the US (9:33). Next, I talk about how I learned Mandarin (21:08), beginning 22 years ago this week, followed by an overview of the unique Chinese places to pray for this week (34:36). Finally, I tell a few more stories, beginning with the fun (also 22 years ago this week) of being surrounded by police in Shunde (43:01). We end with a couple of letters from William Borden (BordenofYale.com) dating back 120 and 112 years, respectively, as he shares (51:20) about the heathenism he witnessed and why he dressed like an Arab in Cairo.

Help for Refugees: The Richard Wurmbrand Foundation

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Cancel All Chinese Student Visas?

https://www.newsweek.com/congressman-stop-chinas-exploitation-our-student-visa-program-opinion-2029415

How To Teach Yourself Mandarin

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/how-i-taught-myself-mandarin

Don’t forget to Pray for China this week (Feb 15-22! (PrayforChina.us)

Feb 15 (Sat) - Pray for Yushu in far southern Qinghai, just north of Tibet. We lived in this Tibetan region back in 2004, and visited off and on over the years. Qinghai (“Cheeng-high”) is paired with southern CO, west TX, and NM for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/states/colorado.html

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/3

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yushu_City,_Qinghai

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/qinghai

Feb 16 (Sun) - Pray for Xingping City in Xianyang Prefecture, home to the largest airport in NW China (where I was deported). Shaanxi is paired with Kansas for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4s6GcIAfDjfcH5a5RNjAe8

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xingping

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shaanxi

Feb 17 - Pray for Binzhou (“Bean-joe”) Prefecture in Shandong Province. Shandong ("Mountain East"), on China's east coast, is paired with Virginia for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/49

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binzhou

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1900-protestant-martyrs-in-shandong

Feb 18 - Pray for Xiaodian District in Taiyuan City, the capital of north China's Shanxi Province. Shanxi (“west of the mountains”) is paired up with Nebraska for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/27

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaodian,_Taiyuan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shanxi

Feb 19 - Pray for hilly Leshan (“Luh-shan”), a three-million-strong city in south-central Sichuan Province. Home of the panda and many unreached Tibetans, Sichuan is matched with Texas for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/10

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leshan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/sichuan

Feb 20 - Pray for mountainous Dehong Prefecture in western Yunnan Province, home to a number of diverse ethnicities on the porous border with Myanmar. Home to huge mountains and diverse minorities, Yunnan is paired with Arkansas/Louisiana for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/28

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehong_Dai_and_Jingpo_Autonomous_Prefecture

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/yunnan

Feb 21 - Pray for Xiaoshan District, the most populated within Zhejiang’s capital, Hangzhou. Hangzhou was Hudson Taylor's first field of service and where he met his first wife, Maria. Zhejiang (“Juh-jiang”) is paired with North Carolina for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/24

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaoshan,_Hangzhou

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/zhejiang

Feb 22 (Sat) - Pray for crowded Zhongshan City in southern Guangdong Province, right between Guangzhou and Macau. We've passed through here countless times. Tropical and populous Guangdong is paired up with Florida for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/15

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhongshan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangdong

Borden of Yale: No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets (BordenofYale.com):

You Have Not Seen Heathenism:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/you-have-not-seen-heathenism

Borden Goes Native:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/borden-of-yale-goes-native-a-la-hudson

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10:2!

Prayer Requests from Prison (The Prison Pulpit #17)

China Compass — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 05:01:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #17 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish, please visit PrayGiveGo.us!

In the Face of Persecution, What Will I Do?

The original article was posted on Wang Yi’s personal blog in October of 2018, then shared widely the week after his arrest in December of 2018. Please continue to earnestly pray for Pastor Wang Yi and the other brothers and sisters in Chengdu.

Read this podcast on Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/in-the-face-of-persecution-what-will-1d8

Final Petitions of the Prisoner

May the Lord bless me with so much reverent fear for him to the point where I am not afraid of any power that does not fear him.

May the Lord grant me peaceful resistance, positive perseverance and joyful disobedience in all matters of conscience, faith and the church, and in everything that relates to the flesh, and damage to external rights, may he grant me the power of patience and silence.

May the Lord remove the potential in this process to lash out in hate and resentment.

May he have mercy on me and support me in my weakness when I am in isolation.

May the Lord help me so that from the day of my detention I will pray every day for all those in power related to my case, as well as officials in the police force, national security, the prosecutor’s office, the court and other government agencies.

May the Lord choose among them repentant and believing children and have mercy on their lowly souls.

May [he] lead at least one of them to faith through this process, and give my heart great joy and comfort.

I also ask the Lord Jesus to remove the burden and concerns for my wife, family, the church, and everything else during my detention, so that I will entrust everything to the Lord, be faithful only to the Lord, and focus on practicing these fourteen resolutions as my longings for and service to my family, as shepherding and teaching my congregation, and as fulfilling my responsibility to the kingdom of God.

For More Info:

Richard Wurmbrand Resources: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Who is Pastor Wang Yi? https://chinapartnership.org/who-is-wang-yi/

Faithful Disobedience (Book): https://a.co/d/7oNGPO4

Persecution is a Test (Sermon Clip): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKZJBbtckeA

Critiquing a China Hawk / Redeeming DeepSeek? / China-HK vs Panama-US

China Compass — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 23:16:00 +0000

I begin by discussing a ministry that has blessed us (WMPress.org)(3:57), followed by a critique of Gordon Chang’s “tone” on his “Outstanding” podcast interview (11:05). Next, we work our way through this week’s China related news (20:58), some of which was discussed by Gordon Chang: redeeming DeepSeek, USAID’s China-focused NGOs, Asian Illegals in Fear, and the Hong Kong connection in Trump’s threat to re-take the Panama Canal. Finally, I explain what I was doing 22 years ago this week (49:15), as well as thoughts on language learning from William Borden (BordenofYale.com) and William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us).

World Missionary Press: 131 Million Scripture Booklets!

https://www.wmpress.org/

A Mild Critique of Gordon Chang (Agree with his Policies, Disagree with his Projection)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_G._Chang

What DeepSeek Says about the Church in China

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/deepseek-china-church-ai-censorship-sensitive/

China-focused NGOs reel from U.S. foreign funding freeze

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/China-focused-NGOs-reel-from-U.S.-foreign-funding-freeze

Asia’s Millions of Illegals in US Cower in Shadow of Trump’s Deportation Drive

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Policy-Asia/Asian-immigrants-in-U.S.-cower-in-shadow-of-Trump-deportation-drive

China’s Hong Kong Takeover Led To Trump’s Panama Power Grab

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-China-s-tight-grip-on-Hong-Kong-led-to-Trump-s-Panama-gambit

Don’t forget to Pray for China! (PrayforChina.us)

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets (BordenofYale.com):

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/language-learning-and-loneliness

Lungs of Steel, Eyes of Eagles, Memories of Angels

William Milne's Passion for Learning Chinese (and Reaching China)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/lungs-of-steel-eyes-of-eagles-memories

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10:2!

In the Face of [a Secret Trial], What Will I Do? Part IV (The Prison Pulpit #16)

China Compass — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:24:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, #16 in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). To learn more about our various ministry endeavors and to get any of the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish, please visit PrayGiveGo.us!

14 Decisions: In the Face of Persecution, What Will I Do?

This article was originally posted on Wang Yi’s personal blog in October 2018 and shared elsewhere online. Please earnestly pray for your brothers and sisters in Chengdu. (December 17, 2018)

Read this on Substack here: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/in-the-face-of-persecution-what-will-506

Persist in sharing the gospel
Refusal to accept government designated defense lawyer
Refusal to appear on TV or contact official media
Demand of public trial

Here’s the link to the Crosspolitic News article about my friend Dennis Green, who literally got “carried away” at an abortion clinic: https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/deported-by-china-prosecuted-by-biden-pardoned-by-trump

Who is Wang Yi? Here’s some more info:

https://chinapartnership.org/who-is-wang-yi/

https://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Disobedience-Writings-Chinese-Movement/dp/1514004135\

Wang Yi Sermon Clip: Persecution is a Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKZJBbtckeA

Everything You’ve Heard About China Is True! / Why Chinese Men Like Trump

China Compass — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:01:00 +0000

I begin today by discussing a few things that are important to me (AsiaHarvest.org, Crosspolitic News), followed by some seemingly random Chinese news of murder, execution, and illegal immigration. At some point, I explain why everything you’ve ever heard about China is true, and why many Chinese men really like President Trump! We also hear from a Chinese evangelist on why we should pray for China, and finish with a few final thoughts on the Chinese New Year.

Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us), and check out all of the other things we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Asia Harvest: 2024 Year in Review

https://www.asiaharvest.org/2024-year-in-review-proclaiming-god-s-works-in-our-200th-newsletter

New @ CrossPolitic News: Deported by China, Prosecuted by Biden, Pardoned by Trump

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/deported-by-china-prosecuted-by-biden-pardoned-by-trump

Also see: D-Day: Dusty Deevers Goes to War

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/d-day-senator-dusty-deevers-on-restoring-moral-sanity-no-abortions-no-pornography-no-drag-no-fault-divorce

Chinese Man Executed for Car Ramming

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy1k2rx724o

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70kz32l98do

Protests Turn Violent After Student Falls to His Death

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/11/china/china-protest-pucheng-student-death-intl/index.html

Have We Misrepresented Most Illegal Chinese Migrant Men?

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-promises-to-take-back-illegal-migrants-after-trump-threats

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/trumps-reported-plans-deport-undocumented-chinese-men-first-rcna183824

Pray for China (PrayforChina.us)

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/01/why-global-believers-should-pray-for-china/

A Brief History of Chinese Dumplings

https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2025/01/19/dumplings-brief-history-ahead-cny

The Evolution of the Snake in Chinese Culture

https://www.theworldofchinese.com/2025/01/slithering-through-time-the-evolution-of-the-snake-in-chinese-culture/

The Tension Asian Christians Feel at Chinese New Year

https://cfc.sebts.edu/faith-and-culture/the-tension-asian-christians-feel-at-chinese-new-year/

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10:2!

In the Face of [Brainwashing], What Will I Do? Part III (The Prison Pulpit #15)

China Compass — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:45:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, the fifteenth (15!) in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). If you want to see the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish and learn more about our work, you can find links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

14 Decisions: In the Face of Persecution, What Will I Do?

This article was originally posted on Wang Yi’s personal blog in October 2018 and shared elsewhere online. Please earnestly pray for your brothers and sisters in Chengdu. (December 17, 2018)

Not plead guilty
Disobeying ideological reform
Refusal to pay penalties or fines
Refusal to accept the additional penalty of deprivation of political rights

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/in-the-face-of-persecution-what-will-515

More on Wang Yi:

https://chinapartnership.org/who-is-wang-yi/

https://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Disobedience-Writings-Chinese-Movement/dp/1514004135\

Wang Yi Sermon Clip: Persecution is a Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKZJBbtckeA

Dragon Babies / The Year of the Snake / Trump Pardons Pro-life China Missionaries / The Old Man in the Alley

China Compass — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 19:06:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). And you can check out all of the other things we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Summary:

I begin by explaining my beef with the Babylon Bee, and how that segues to CrossPolitic News. Next, Trump pardons pro-life/China missionaries, and Cal recommends The Memoirs of William Milne. We look at China’s National Character, followed by the true story of “The Old Man in the Alley. Finally, we end by talking about Dragon Babies, Year of the Snake, Trump, and TikTok.

My Beef with the Babylon Bee: The Mountains of Oklahoma

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-mountains-of-oklahoma

CrossPolitic News: Jimmy Carter and Dusty Deevers

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/jimmy-carters-complicated-china-legacy

https://www.crosspoliticnews.com/news/d-day-senator-dusty-deevers-on-restoring-moral-sanity-no-abortions-no-pornography-no-drag-no-fault-divorce

China Missionaries Pardoned by Trump

https://www.dailywire.com/news/pardoned-pro-life-activist-says-hes-running-on-adrenaline-and-the-holy-ghost-after-trump-pardon

The Memoirs of William Milne (Ch. 46: China’s National Character)

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

Pray for China (PrayforChina.us): Lanzhou City in Gansu Province (Pray4Gansu.com)

The Old Man in the Alley (My “Chance” Meeting with a Chinese Grandpa on Jan 25, 2003)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-old-man-in-the-alley

No More Dragon Babies

https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3296164/chinas-birth-figures-likely-tumble-again-2025-demographers-warn

The Year of the Snake

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1327508.shtml

China’s Muted Take on Trump’s Inauguration

https://www.globaltimes.cn/ (No Trump to be found here!)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/china-vice-president-meets-with-elon-musk-ahead-trump-inauguration-2025-01-20/

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us.

In the Face of Persecution, What Will I Do? Part II (The Prison Pulpit #14)

China Compass — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, the fourteenth (14!) in the weekly “Prison Pulpit” series!

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). If you want to see the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish and learn more about our work, you can find links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Unbeaten is a little book I wrote in 2020 telling the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. One of the appendices, Remember My Chains, is a message I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get both the book and the sermon, at Unbeaten.vip, or read the latter for free on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

Today we continue working our way through the following Resolutions of Pastor Wang Yi:

14 Decisions: In the Face of Persecution, What Will I Do?

Part I: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/in-the-face-of-persecution-what-will

Part II: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/in-the-face-of-persecution-what-will-cef

Not signing
No confession
Request to read the Bible

#7-14 to come in the next 2-3 weeks.

Today I mentioned this free book by Richard Wurmbrand, In God's Underground:

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

More from imprisoned pastor, Wang Yi:

https://chinapartnership.org/who-is-wang-yi/

https://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Disobedience-Writings-Chinese-Movement/dp/1514004135\

Wang Yi Sermon Clip: Persecution is a Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKZJBbtckeA

Chinese Pastors Imprisoned for "Fraud" / Before I Could Speak Chinese (22 Years Ago This Week)

China Compass — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 15:58:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can find links to everything else we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Summary:

I begin by explaining my upcoming plans for the podcast, then talk about my travels and adventures in China 22 years ago this week. (3:08) Next, we drop in on the Millionaire Missionary in Cairo in January of 1913 (19:04) and on William Milne in Malacca on January 18 of both 1812 and 1820. (24:00) After discussing how to Pray for China (32:44), we look at the unfortunate trend of Chinese house church pastors being falsely accused of “fraud”. Finally, we end with a call to pray (51:05) for Vanuatu (former home of John G. Paton) as they recover from a recent earthquake and deal with an aggressive China.

The Millionaire Missionary in Cairo (1913) (BordenofYale.com)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/crazy-colorful-cairo

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition) (https://a.co/d/bALLtAf)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/on-this-day-from-the-journals-of

All about Pray for China (PrayforChina.us)

Chinese Pastors Accused of Fraud

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/01/joint-statement-against-persecution-on-charges-of-fraud/

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2022/12/accused-of-fraud/

Vanuatu Earthquake

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/539227/vanuatu-one-month-on-aftershocks-a-no-go-zone-and-anxiety

https://apnews.com/article/vanuatu-earthquake-pacific-ocean-port-vila-magnitude-85f483b151f928cc25175038c33fb6d1

Tears for Tanna

The Perseverance of John G. Paton and the Transformation of Tanna

www.JohnGPaton.com

If you enjoy this podcast, follow or subscribe on Spotify or Apple or right here on PubTV.

You can also email any questions or comments to contact @ PrayforChina dot us.

And don’t forget to check out everything we are involved in at PrayGiveGo.us.

In the Face of Persecution, What Will I Do? Part I (The Prison Pulpit #13)

China Compass — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, the thirteenth (13!) in a weekly series which I have been calling “The Prison Pulpit”! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). If you want to see the missionary biographies I’ve helped to publish and learn more about our work, you can find links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Each week, I mention my little book, Unbeaten, which tells the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. Also, one of the appendices, Remember My Chains, is a message I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get my book and the sermon, Remember My Chains, at Unbeaten.vip, or read the sermon text for free on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

I will be working through Wang Yi’s 14 “resolutions” in 3 or 4 installments both here on the podcast and on the China Call Substack. Please continue to pray for Wang Yi and the other brothers and sisters in Chengdu.

In the Face of Persecution, What Will I Do? (Part I)

Pastor Wang Yi Shares 14 Resolutions He Made Before His Arrest in December, 2018

Read the source text (without my commentary) of today’s podcast here:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/in-the-face-of-persecution-what-will

China’s Struggling Economy / Critiquing Carter / My First Letter Home from China

China Compass — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 08:48:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ contact at PrayforChina dot us. You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Summary:

First, I take a few minutes to look at China’s current struggles (1:30). Then I take another look at Jimmy Carter’s China legacy (8:03). Next I talk about my first true departure for China 22 years ago this week, and what I thought I was getting into by moving to China for a “year” (26:08). Lastly, I discuss Borden’s adventures in Cairo in January of 1913 (39:11) and William Milne’s Journals from 200+ years ago (46:00).

China’s Economic Struggles

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/beijing-subsidizing-everything-microwaves-dishwashers-071203328.html

Interview with President Carter re: China Legacy

https://www.cartercenter.org/news/features/p/china/president-carter-on-normalizing-relations-with-china.html

The Millionaire Missionary in Cairo (1913)

BordenofYale.com

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/borden-of-yale-riots-debates-and

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition)

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

Pray for China:

Jan 11 - Pray for Xiangtan Prefecture in south-central China's mountainous Hunan Province, and the homeland of Mao Zedong (childhood home pictured). Hunan literally translates to “south of the lake” and is paired with both Indiana and Ohio for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

For more info…

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/22

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiangtan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hunan

#prayforchina

Why the Persecuted Church Will Persevere (The Prison Pulpit #12)

China Compass — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 05:15:00 +0000

Nearly every week, I mention my little book, Unbeaten, about my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. The appendix, entitled Remember My Chains, is a message I’ve given all over the world about praying for the persecuted church. You can get the book (and appendix) at Unbeaten.vip.

I am turning once again to the late Richard Wurmbrand to speak to us on behalf of those who are currently being imprisoned and tortured for Christ.

For those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief intro:

Romanian Lutheran minister who spent 14 years in Communist prisons.
After “escaping”, published ”Tortured for Christ" and testified to Congress.
Founded Voice of the Martyrs (but son Michael doesn’t trust VOM today).
Michael Wurmbrand provides his father’s books for free in many languages.

Michael Wurmbrand’s Open Letter to Voice of the Martyrs:

https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html

Michael Wurmbrand gives away his father’s books for free:

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Why the Persecuted Church Will Persevere (The Holy Spirit Cannot Fail)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/why-the-persecuted-church-will-persevere

Jimmy Carter's China Legacy / How I Helped Piper Preach

China Compass — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 11:25:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ contact at PrayforChina dot us. You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us.

Summary:

First, I talk about how John Piper read my blog to thousands of young people at three missions conferences, how we became friends, and the book I gave him today. (3:40) Speaking of Borden of Yale, I discuss William Borden’s missionary call at a student mission’s conference in 1906 and his arrival in Cairo in January 1913 (15:05). Finally, I take a look at the mixed legacy of Jimmy Carter. (27:00)

My Burden for the Truly Unreached (The Blog Piper Read and Promoted)

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/my-burden-for-the-truly-unreached-fbc

The Millionaire Missionary in Cairo (New Year’s 1913): BordenofYale.com

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/new-years-day-in-cairo-1913

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/egypts-open-doors

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/borden-of-yale-loved-football

In the News:

Carter’s Death and China Legacy

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/15/us-recognizes-communist-china-dec-15-1978-1060168

Carter Propaganda from China

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326169.shtml

Interview with President Carter re: China

https://www.cartercenter.org/news/features/p/china/president-carter-on-normalizing-relations-with-china.html

Pray for China:

Gansu is matched up with my home state of Oklahoma for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

More Prostitutes or Pastors in China? / Near Death on New Year's (The Prison Pulpit #11)

China Compass — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 05:59:00 +0000

Welcome to this New Year's mashup edition of China Compass and the Prison Pulpit!

Nearly every week, I mention the Appendix to my little book, Unbeaten, which details my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. This appendix, entitled Remember My Chains, is the written version of a message I’ve given all over the world about how to pray for the persecuted church.

You can get my book and the sermon, Remember My Chains, at Unbeaten.vip, or read it for free on Substack where it was just posted yesterday: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains

The following notes follow the basic flow of today's podcast...

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

BordenofYale.com

William Borden’s plea for more missionaries to serve in China:

Beginning in September, he managed to visit at least thirty colleges and seminaries before sailing for Egypt in December. Spending one to three days in each place gave opportunities for private conversations as well as meetings. On many occasions, with the background of his experience at sea he would ask, “Are you steering or drifting?”

...

Often Borden would meet one to whom it seemed too high, with another question:

“Are you willing to be made willing?”

“If ten men are carrying a log…nine of them on the little end and one at the heavy end, and you want to help, which end will you lift on?”

....

In proportion to the population at the time, there were five hundred times as many ministers of the gospel in the United States as there were ordained missionaries in China.

Wang Yi on the need for more evangelistic, church planting pastors in China:

"Our churches are becoming crowded with middle class professionals. The gospel needs to enter the city more deeply. It must enter the drains, enter in with the petitioners and the marginalized peoples.

If your church still has no pastors; if there are no pastors in your city, your community, or even your street; if your company has a GM but there is no pastor there; if the university you work for has a Party committee secretary but there is no pastor, then I must ask: do you know the average ratio of prostitutes to pastors in China? Do you know the ratio of thieves to pastors, of corrupt officials to pastors?"

Wang Yi’s New Year’s (Twenty Year) Resolutions...

Read the full letter: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/wang-yi-family-newsletter-11-27-2018

A Couple of New Year’s Stories from Northwest China:

7 or 8 years ago tonight, my team and I got chased all over a Chinese village on New Year’s Eve…

19 years ago tonight my father and I almost got ourselves killed in China, in more ways than one…

Recommended Resource:

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary BordenofYale.com

Christmas in Room Number Four [The Death Room] (The Prison Pulpit #10)

China Compass — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:45:00 +0000

For those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, here's a brief intro:

Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement.
After “escaping” abroad, published ”Tortured for Christ" in the 1960s and testified to Congress.
Helped start Voice of the Martyrs, but his son Michael doesn’t trust VOM.
Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html
Michael Wurmbrand’s ministry (free books!): https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Read the written version of this podcast on my China Call Substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/christmas-in-room-number-four-the

China's Slowdown Helps US in Trade War / "I Don't Want Your Jesus" - Guilin Mountain Chief

China Compass — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 05:09:00 +0000

You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Summary

Today I begin by discussing the recent US-China Trade War (2:13), followed by the latest rule changes for tourist visits to China (12:39). Then I talk all about Guangxi (21:21), my first and only visit to the karst mountains of Guilin (28:48), and share fascinating stories from the missionaries and martyrs who served in Guangxi, including my friend’s grandfather (30:43).

Recommended Resources (in the order they were mentioned):

Operation China: Introducing All the Peoples of China

https://www.asiaharvest.org/operation-profiles

His Life For Mine: A Missionary’s Story (The Life and Legacy of Joy Bausum)

https://a.co/d/gY0Huyp

The Memoirs of William Milne (Foreword by Dan Bausum):

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

In the News:

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/chinas-slowdown-has-changed-trade-war (Paywall)

https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-upgrades-144-hour-visa-free-transit-to-10-day-stay-adds-21-ports/

Pray for China Province of the Week: Guangxi (Zhuang Autonomous Region)

Guangxi in south central China is matched up with Alabama and Mississippi for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Asia Harvest overview: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi

Wikipedia profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangxi

“I Don’t Want Your Jesus”: Evangelism in the Mysterious Mountains of Guilin

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-your-jesus

Guangxi Missionaries & Martyrs:

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1924-j-r-cunningham

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1926-tang-pan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1928-preacher-zhong

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1951-bill-wallace

Testimonies from a Chinese Jail (The Prison Pulpit #9)

China Compass — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:21:00 +0000

Welcome to this bonus episode of China Compass, the 9th in a weekly series called “The Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share new Chinese cities to pray for daily. You can learn more about that at PrayforChina.us.

You can also check out my Substack (ChinaCall.substack.com) where I write mostly about China and missions. I have already posted the updates that I shared on this podcast, including this one: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/testimonies-from-a-chinese-jail

This month is the 6th anniversary of the attack and forcible closure of Early Rain Church in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, and the arrest of Pastor Wang Yi, who is the primary contributor to this podcast series, The Prison Pulpit. (Find all the episodes on PubTV, Spotify, or Podbean)

Two weeks ago I read the Wang Yi family newsletter that was published just 12 days before his arrest on Dec 9, 2018. Last week I shared a handful of updates that were put out by unnamed Early Rain Church members in the immediate aftermath of the attack and arrest of the pastor and most of the leadership.

As one of last week's updates reminded us, there was no guarantee that the next update would ever come. Arrests were ongoing. So it was an exciting answer to prayer when the following testimonies were released on December 15th, 2018:

Early Rain Urgent Prayer Update (12/15/18)

Resource of the Week: The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us)

Corruption in Xi's China (and how Biden's fits right in) / Denny Burk and the Borden Myth / Guizhou's Martyrs

China Compass — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 12:22:00 +0000

You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Summary

In today’s podcast, I begin by talking about a great teaching opportunity in China (1:12) followed by an explanation of the “Borden Myth” (6:10). Then I work through a number of current China-related news topics (20:42). Finally, I turn to the province of the week, Guizhou, (40:32) and a couple of moving stories (45:16) of missionaries and martyrs.

Wanna Teach in China? (bfwesten at gmail dot com)

“I'm the only foreign English teacher in my university and the first one here since 2019! I've been teaching Spoken English to English majors in the College of Languages and Literature, which gives more opportunity to talk with students. I've been asked to teach Public Speaking and Debate next semester, so that should be fun and provide opportunities for good conversations.

I've heard the university is hoping to increase the number foreign teachers in 2025 to about 10.. I'm wondering if you might have any brothers/sisters who are interested in spending some time in China. Our family would be thankful to have some like-minded folks around and I am happy to assist in the process. Salary is about 12k rmb (also, free housing and airfare reimbursement).”

William Borden: No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

The Borden Myth: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-borden-myth

Dr. Culbertson’s revised essay: https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/regret.htm

Denny Burk’s Unstudied Address: https://www.dennyburk.com/Stuff/2010-05-07-NoReserves,NoRetreats,NoRegrets.pdf

Get the book: www.BordenofYale.com

In the News:

Shocking: Chinese Man Arrested for Surveilling California Base With Drone

https://notthebee.com/article/doj-arrests-chinese-man-suspected-of-flying-a-drone-over-space-force-base-in-california

Biden was born to be a Commie (His Record Proves It)

https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-joe-biden-pardon-chinese-spies-2000732

https://nypost.com/2024/12/13/world-news/biden-pardons-high-ranking-chinese-spies/

Xi Thinks He Can Brainwash American Youth (He Probably Can)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/beijings-envoy-us-calls-young-093000415.html

China Struggling Economically (Paywall)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/12/10/why-struggling-china-has-hit-the-panic-button/

Young people in China are escaping the rat race by fleeing to ‘youth retirement villages’

https://moneywise.com/employment/young-adults-in-china-join-retirement-villages

Pray for China Province of the Week: Guizhou

Central China’s Guizhou is matched up with Missouri for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Asia Harvest overview: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guizhou

Wikipedia profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guizhou

Guizhou Christian History

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guizhou/1898-william-fleming

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guizhou/james-adam

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guizhou/2004-jiang-zongxiu

Resource of the Day:

Guizhou: The Precious Province

https://www.asiaharvest.org/bookstore/Guizhou-The-Precious-Province-The-China-Chronicles-N%C2%BA2-p630245560

Flashback: Early Rain Church Attacked, Pastor Wang Yi Imprisoned (The Prison Pulpit #8)

China Compass — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 04:40:00 +0000

Welcome to this bonus episode of China Compass, the 8th in a weekly series called “The Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share new Chinese cities to pray for daily. You can learn more about that at PrayforChina.us.

You can also check out my Substack (ChinaCompass.substack.com) where I write mostly about China and missions. I have already posted the updates that I shared on this podcast.

As I am recording this podcast, it is the 6th anniversary of the attack and forcible closure of Early Rain Church in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, and the arrest of Pastor Wang Yi, who is the primary contributor to this podcast series, The Prison Pulpit.

Resource of the Day:

The Memoirs of William Milne

Missionary to Canton and Malacca

(PrayGiveGo.us)

“Family Guy” Hurts China’s Feelings / Inner Mongolia Visa Runs with Little Kids (and the Flu)

China Compass — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 12:04:00 +0000

You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Summary

In today’s podcast, I begin by discussing how the “Family Guy” is now forbidden on Hong Kong (Chinese) TV, due to its mocking of Tiananmen (1:20). Next we dive into the background of Inner Mongolia (15:14), and I share a bunch of stories (21:45) about my journeys in the region over the past 20 years. Finally, we take a deep dive into the history of missionary efforts in Inner Mongolia (40:57), and the many martyrs who gave their lives there, especially in the year 1900.

In the News: “Family Guy” Forbidden on Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific

https://viewfromthewing.com/cathay-pacific-scrambles-to-remove-family-guy-episode-over-tiananmen-joke-beijing-wont-allow-in-the-skies/

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/12/04/cathay-pacific-pulls-family-guy-episode-with-tiananmen-crackdown-joke-apologises-and-vows-investigation/

Pray for China Province of the Week: Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia in northern China is matched up with both North and South Dakota for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Inner Mongolia Overview

Asia Harvest overview: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/inner-mongolia

Wikipedia profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_Mongolia

China Call Substack: Visa Running from Inner to “Outer” Mongolia

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/visa-running-from-inner-to-outer

SARS Craziness

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/2

Ningxia (Hitchhiking w Kids in China):

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/11

Inner Mongolia Martyrs

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/inner-mongolia/1900-protestant-martyrs-in-inner-mongolia

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/inner-mongolia/1900-martin-anna-nystrom-and-son

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/inner-mongolia/1933-enkh-bileg

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/inner-mongolia/2000-wang-zuomei

https://www.vomcanada.com/cn-2024-08-01.htm

Resource of the Day:

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

www.BordenofYale.com

Wang Yi's Pre-Arrest Family Newsletter (The Prison Pulpit #7)

China Compass — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Welcome to this bonus episode of China Compass, the 7th in a weekly series called “The Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for daily. You can learn more about that at PrayforChina.us.

You can also check out my Substack (ChinaCall.substack.com) where I post a variety of articles about China and missions, and missions in China. I will probably even post the full letter that I will be reading from today. But my current latest post is entitled, Cherokee Theology: The Last Words of Dewey Sanders, is in honor of one of my favorite men and mentors who passed away six years ago this week: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/cherokee-theology

Today we are looking at a family letter written by Wang Yi and his wife, Jiang Rong, twelve days before their arrest on December 9, 2018. It is their annual letter written to their congregation. My hope is that you can get a glimpse into the relative normalcy of their lives, and also be encouraged to pray for Wang Yi’s wife and children who face life circumstances not unfamiliar to most of us, albeit without their faithful pastor father in the home.

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/wang-yi-family-newsletter-11-27-2018

China-US Prisoner Swap / Chongqing: Largest City in the World? / Tibetan Monk Assassins

China Compass — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 20:45:00 +0000

Summary

In today’s podcast, I begin by discussing the recent US-China Prisoner Swap (5:10) and its potential implications for casual visits to China. Then I talk all about Chongqing (17:39), which turns out to have a fascinating history. Finally, we look at the fascinating life of China missionary and explorer, James Cameron (35:31), whose earthly journey ended in Chongqing in the late 1800s. (Bonus: I threw in an unplanned story near the end (49:43) about a former teammate who was nearly stabbed to death by Tibetan Assassins hired by Buddhist Monks.)

In the News: China-US Prisoner Swap

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/27/state-dept-china-travel-warning-downgraded-00191942

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/world/asia/us-china-prisoner-swap.html

Pray for China Province of the Week: Chongqing

Chongqing Municipality in central China is matched up with southeast Texas (Greater Houston) for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Chongqing is located in the subtropics, in the transitional area between the Tibetan Plateau and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze. Its climate features frequent monsoon conditions, often raining at night in late spring and early summer. The city's "night rain in the Ba Mountains", features in poems throughout Chinese history, including "Written on a Rainy Night" by Li Shangyin. Its territory is 470 km (290 mi) from east to west at its longest, and 450 km (280 mi) from north to south at its widest. It borders Hubei and Hunan to the east, Sichuan and Shaanxi to the north, and Guizhou to the south.

Asia Harvest overview: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/chongqing

Wikipedia profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chongqing

Chongqing Spicy Chicken: Lazi Ji

Crazy Tall Escalator: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huangguan_Escalator

The Rise and Fall of Bo Xilai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Xilai

James Cameron

Missionary Explorer and Tibet Trailblazer (1845-1892):

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/james-cameron

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/tibet/1880s-tibetan-work

https://omf.org/mrt-james-cameron-the-livingstone-of-china/

Resource of the Day:

UNBEATEN: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China

www.Unbeaten.vip

Richard Wurmbrand on Rejoicing, Weeping, Feasting in Prison (The Prison Pulpit #6)

China Compass — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:12:00 +0000

Welcome to this episode of China Compass, the 6th in a weekly series called “The Prison Pulpit”.

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new region to pray for daily. You can learn more PrayforChina.us.

Every week, I mention the Appendix to my little memoir, Unbeaten, which details my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China. This appendix, entitled Remember My Chains, is the written version of a message I have given all over the country dealing with remembering and praying for the persecuted church. You can get the book, Unbeaten, including the sermon, Remember My Chains, at Unbeaten.vip

Today I want to read an illustration from that sermon, written by Richard Wurmband in his book In God's Underground (https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf).

For those who don't know who Richard Wurmband is, let me give you a brief intro:

Lutheran minister in Romania, part Jewish. 14 years in prison, including 2 in isolation.
Helped start Voice of the Martyrs, but his son Michael doesn’t trust VOM.
M. Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html
Michael Wurmbrand’s ministry (free books!) : https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/

Pastor Richard Wurmbrand shares this moving testimony from a dirty underground prison cell:

Our friendship began while I was trying to eat my first meal at Craiova (prison). The vile, greasy smell of the soup preceded its arrival in the cell. Shreds of rotten cabbage and unwashed [intestines] floated in a scum. But to eat was a duty and I emptied my dish.

“How can you?” asked [my friend], whose stomach had revolted.

“It was a Christian secret,” I said. “I think of St. Paul’s words ‘Rejoice with those that rejoice.’ Then I remember friends in America who are now eating grilled chicken, and I thank God with them as I take the first mouthful of soup. Next, I rejoice with friends in England who may be eating roast beef. And I get down another mouthful. So, by way of many friendly countries, I rejoice with those that rejoice—and stay alive.”

[My friend] and I had to share a bunk through the hot, stuffy nights. I was [blessed] not to be on the floor. “You lie very still,” he said as others coughed and fidgeted around us. “What are you thinking? Does St. Paul help you now, too?”

I replied, “Yes, for now I rejoice with those in the West by thinking of their comfortable homes, and the books they have, the holidays they can plan, the music they hear, the love they have for their wives and children. And I remember the second part of the verse, from the epistle to the Romans, ‘And weep with those that weep.’

I am sure that in the West many thousands think of us and try to help us with their prayers.”

The Many Martyrs of Hebei / China’s “Mass Shootings” and Chinese “Statistics”

China Compass — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 05:45:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. B.F. Westen is my pen name, for security reasons. If you want to see the missionary books I’ve published and learn more about our work, you can find easy links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Pray for China Province of the Week: Hebei

Hebei Province in northern China is matched up with the states of Wisconsin and Michigan (not the UP) for prayer. Hebei means “North of the River” and refers to its location north of the Yellow River…

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebei

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/hebei/

The Many Martyrs of Hebei

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei (click and scroll down for full list of testimonies)

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei/1900-benjamin-emily-gladys-bagnall

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei/1900-meng-zhangzhun-children

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei/1900-tracy-pitkin

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei/1900-the-baoding-massacre

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hebei/1900-methodist-martyrs-of-the-kaiping-circuit

Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

www.BordenofYale.com

Borden of Yale: “Pitkin did more even in death than in life, may we not believe that God will, out of seeming loss, get great glory to Himself and call many to fill the breach?”

China News

Hebei Province issues temporary residency permits to (North Korean) defectors

https://www.dailynk.com/english/china-hebei-province-issues-temporary-residency-permits-defectors/

China “Shootings”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/eight-killed-stabbing-incident-wuxi-155703609.html

Chinese Statistics (Pay Wall) - “There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” Twain

https://www.ft.com/content/de9af759-2b94-4b7e-98e4-42698900efeb

China Population Drop

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/china-population-set-51-million-drop-pro-birth-moves-fail

Wang Yi on God's Use of China's "Unrighteous Politics" (The Prison Pulpit #5)

China Compass — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:08:00 +0000

Welcome to this bonus episode of China Compass, the 5th in a weekly series called “The Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where (among other things) I share a new prefecture and/or city to pray for daily. Visit PrayforChina.us to learn more. If you want to see the missionary books I’ve published and learn more about our work, you can find links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us

Between now and the end of the year I am working through some of the writings of imprisoned Chinese pastor, Wang Yi, of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China, which were published just before and after his arrest in December of 2018. The idea is to give him a voice, even though he is physically locked away (for now) and remind the church to "remember his chains" and pray for all those who are currently being persecuted in like manner, a la Hebrews 13:3.

Besides Wang Yi's own writings (link in the show notes) a book that might be helpful is my little memoir, Unbeaten, which details my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. At the end of the book, I included an appendix entitled Remember My Chains, which is basically the manuscript of a message I have given dozens of times around the country dealing with this very topic: remembering and praying for the persecuted church, especially in China. You can get the book, Unbeaten, including the sermon, Remember My Chains, at Unbeaten.vip

Read more about Wang Yi:

https://chinapartnership.org/who-is-wang-yi/

https://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Disobedience-Writings-Chinese-Movement/dp/1514004135\

Wang Yi, from his Declaration of Faithful Disobedience:

(I am filled with anger and disgust at the persecution of the church by this Communist regime, at the wickedness of their depriving people of the freedoms of religion and of conscience.)

But changing social and political institutions is not the mission I have been called to, and it is not the goal for which God has given his people the gospel. For all hideous realities, unrighteous politics, and arbitrary laws manifest the cross of Jesus Christ, the only means by which every Chinese person must be saved. They also manifest the fact that true hope and a perfect society will never be found in the transformation of any earthly institution or culture but only in our sins being freely forgiven by Christ and in the hope of eternal life.

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity:

“Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither. It seems a strange rule, but something like it can be seen at work in other matters. Health is a great blessing, but the moment you make health one of your main, direct objects you start becoming a crank and imagining there is something wrong with you. You are only likely to get health provided you want other things more—food, games, work, fun, open air. In the same way, we shall never save civilization if civilization is our main object. We must learn to want something else even more.”

China’s South American Concubines & Wannabe Polygamy in Paradise (w/ Denny in "House Arrest")

China Compass — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 19:10:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. B.F. Westen is my pen name, for security reasons. If you want to see the missionary books I’ve published and learn more about our work, you can find easy links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Today I join my good friend and China ministry partner, Denny, as he continues in house arrest after his conviction for saving babies in Nashville. Among other things, we talk about the used Christian bookstore (www.RemnantBooks.org) that helps support his family and ministry, and the now polygamous missionary to China’s tropical paradise, Hainan Island, a former friend who we both once knew and respected.

Remnant (Used Christian) Books: www.RemnantBooks.org

But first, I want to talk briefly about China’s South American Concubines…

Biden and Xi Meet in Peru, Chinese Megaport Inaugurated

https://apnews.com/article/china-peru-port-poverty-latin-america-1e06904f76cca1d7aaf19bca8bd24d93

I also refer to another opinion piece, supposedly written by Dictator Xi himself, but I don’t have a link to that article. The Chinese government website that hosted the English version of the article did not seem too secure, so I copied the text into a Google doc, which is what I refer to in the podcast.

Pray for China Province of the Week: Hainan Island

Hainan Island (Province) in China is matched up with the state of Hawaii for prayer. By the way, Hainan means “South of the Sea” and refers to the island’s location in the South China Sea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hainan

The Martyrs of Hainan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hainan/1924-george-byers

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hainan/1918-frank-gilman

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Wang Yi on God Raising Up and Deposing Dictators (The Prison Pulpit #4)

China Compass — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, the fourth in a weekly series which I am calling “The Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Between now and the end of the year I am working through some of the writings of imprisoned Chinese pastor, Wang Yi, of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China, which were published just before and after his arrest in December of 2018.

You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where (among other things) I share a new prefecture and/or city to pray for daily. Visit PrayforChina.us to learn more. If you want to see the missionary books I’ve published and learn more about our work, you can find links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

One book that might be helpful is my little memoir, Unbeaten, which details my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. At the end of the book, I included an appendix entitled Remember My Chains, which is basically the manuscript (notes) from a message I have given dozens of times around the country dealing with this very topic: remembering and praying for the persecuted church, especially in China. You can get the book, Unbeaten, including the sermon, Remember My Chains, at Unbeaten.vip

Today's excerpt from Pastor Wang Yi...

God Raises Up (and Deposes) Kings

On the basis of the teachings of the Bible and the mission of the gospel, I respect the authorities God has established in China. For God deposes kings and raises up kings. This is why I submit to the historical and institutional arrangements of God in China.

As a pastor of a Christian church, I have my own understanding and views, based on the Bible, about what righteous order and good government is. At the same time, I am filled with anger and disgust at the persecution of the church by this Communist regime, at the wickedness of their depriving people of the freedoms of religion and of conscience.

Don't forget to pray for our team (currently on the run) in China!

Heartbreaking Martyr Tales / First Impressions of Wuhan / China Reacts to Trump Victory

China Compass — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:15:00 +0000

Pray for our team in China right now!

China Reacts to Trump Victory

Ready or not? How China scrambled to counter the second Trump shock

https://www.reuters.com/world/ready-or-not-how-china-scrambled-counter-second-trump-shock-2024-11-08/

China Disappoints Investors With $1.4 Trillion Debt-Swap Plan

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-11-08/china-disappoints-investors-with-1-4-trillion-debt-swap-plan

Xi Jinping warns Trump US would 'lose from confrontation' with China as renewed trade war looms

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/xi-jinping-trump-china-trade

Pray for China Province of the Week: Hubei

Hubei and its largest city Wuhan are matched up with the state of Illinois and Chicago. By the way, Hubei means “North of the Lake”. See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hubei

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubei

First Impressions of Hubei…

The Martyrs of Hubei…

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hubei/1900-flora-faith-glover

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hubei/1900-jessie-isabel-saunders

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hubei/1900-margaret-brainerd-cooper

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hubei/1932-bert-nelson

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hubei/1948-alik-berg-esther-nordlund-martha-anderson

https://articles.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/hubei/2001-bruce-morrison

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!) is recommended by Uncle Bundo (see previous episodes re: the Nashville Ten), who is currently reading it in an Illinois prison:

https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-William-Milne-Missionary-1785-1822-ebook/dp/B0DJ1Q4HNR/

Wang Yi's Election Day Admonition (The Prison Pulpit #3)

China Compass — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 19:05:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, the third in a weekly series of shorter podcasts which I am calling “The Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where (among other things) I share a new prefecture, city and/or county to pray for daily. Visit Pray for China dot us (PrayforChina.us) to learn more. If you want to see the missionary books I’ve published and learn more about our work, you can find links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Between now and the end of the year I am working through some of the writings of currently imprisoned Chinese pastor, Wang Yi, of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, which were published just after his arrest in December of 2018.

One book that will be helpful in this series is my little autobiographical work, Unbeaten, which details my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. At the end of the book, I included an appendix entitled Remember My Chains, which is basically the manuscript (notes) from a message I have given dozens of times around the country dealing with this very topic: remembering and praying for the persecuted church, especially in China. You can get the book, Unbeaten, including the sermon, Remember My Chains, at Unbeaten dot vip. Unbeaten.vip

Learn more about Wang Yi and see the articles I mentioned today:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/02/china-church-wang-yi-persecution-faithful-disobedience/

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/30/trump-china-evangelicals-trade-fight-1076488

Police on Sunday (Sept 1, 2024) took away church elder Li Yingqiang, pastors Wu Wuqing and Li Youhong (also known as Yan Hong), and a deacon, Zeng Qingtao, who has requested clothes and medications for his chronic health problems to be sent to the detention center.

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-early-rain-covenant-church-09032024135837.html

Here is Pastor Wang Yi's word of the week, from his “Declaration of Faithful Disobedience”:

“Regardless of which regime I live under now or in the future, as long as the secular government continues to persecute the church, violating human consciences that belong to God alone, I will continue my faithful disobedience. For the entire commission God has given me is to let more Chinese people know through my actions that the hope of humanity and society is only in the redemption of Christ, in the supernatural, gracious sovereignty of God.

If God decides to use the persecution of this Communist regime against the church to help more Chinese people to despair of their futures, to lead them through a wilderness of spiritual disillusionment and through this to make them know Jesus, if through this he continues disciplining and building up his church, then I am joyfully willing to submit to God’s plans, for his plans are always benevolent and good.”

The Heavenly Man (of Henan) / Tibetan Guerillas (in Colorado) / Martin Luther (in Chinese)

China Compass — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 08:37:00 +0000

Inside the CIA’s Secret Role in the Tibetan Resistance (and Dalai Lama’s Escape)

https://www.rfa.org/english/tibet/2024/10/29/tibet-cia-secret-training-camp-hale-china/

Henan is our PFC province this week, and it is matched up with the states of Kentucky and West Virginia. By the way, Henan means “South of the River” and the northern border of KY/WV is the Ohio River.

Henan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/henan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henan

The Heavenly Man of Henan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/bookstore/The-Heavenly-Man-p283190991

UNBEATEN: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China

www.unbeaten.vip

The Martyrs of Henan…

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/henan/1984-zhang-wuji

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/henan/1996-shi-yunchao

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/henan/1996-zhang-xiuju

Wang Yi on China's "Most Horrendous" Evil (The Prison Pulpit #2)

China Compass — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 20:10:00 +0000

The Prison Pulpit #2

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, #2 in a series which I am calling “The Prison Pulpit”. I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). B.F. Westen is my pen name, for security reasons. If you want to see the missionary books I’ve published and learn more about our work, you can find links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Resource of the Week

One of the books that will be important in this series is my little autobiographical work, Unbeaten, which details my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China in 2018. But not for the main content per se, but for the appendix I included at the end, Remember My Chains, which is a written version of a message I have delivered dozens of times around the country dealing with the topic of this special podcast series. Get the book (and its appendix) on Amazon and @ Unbeaten.vip

Here's the Pastor Wang Yi's quote I will be discussing this week:

China's Greatest Evil

If this regime is one day overthrown by God, it will be for no other reason than God’s righteous punishment and revenge for this evil. For on earth, there has only ever been a thousand-year church. There has never been a thousand-year government. There is only eternal faith. There is no eternal power.”

And here is today's (Oct 30) Pray for China profile, which was posted earlier today on X (@chinaadventures):

Oct 30 - Pray for Turpan Prefecture in the deserts of Xinjiang Province in far west China, known both as China's hottest and lowest (-505 ft below sea level) region.

Xinjiang is so large that it takes California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington to properly pair up: www.PrayforChina.us

I spent a few days in Xinjiang (incl. Turpan) back in 2015, exploring and distributing Uyghur language literature.

Here's the trip report: https://chinacall.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/145153541/share-center

And here's the podcast:

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/7

For more info:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turpan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/xinjiang

#prayforChina

Beheaded by Communists in Anhui, the Millionaire Missionary Admonishes America, and Watchmen Nee's Final Journey

China Compass — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 11:10:00 +0000

The Millionaire Missionary Admonishes America (www.BordenofYale.com)

What would Borden say to Prodigal America?

Anhui is our PFC province this week, and it is matched up with the state of Iowa.

Anhui

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhui

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/anhui

Borden Sails the Yangtze in Anhui…

The Martyrs of Anhui…

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/anhui/1868-samuel-johnson-wan-taiping

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/anhui/1934-john-betty-stam

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/anhui/1972-watchman-nee

Wang Yi's Prison Preaching Plan / Pro-Life Grandpa Goes to Jail (The Prison Pulpit #1)

China Compass — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:36:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, the first in a weekly series which I am calling “The Prison Pulpit”!

I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). B.F. Westen is my pen name, for security reasons. If you want to see the missionary books I’ve published and learn more about our work, you can find easy links to everything @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Pastor Wang Yi's quote of the week:

"If he is imprisoned [permanently], he will entrust everything to the Lord and start his personal prison ministry. If he is free, he will be even bolder in preaching and asks God to transform him into a preacher that will 'turn the world upside down'."

Uncle Bundo (aka Cal) started his 6 month prison sentence in Illinois one week ago today (Oct 15, 2pm Central). This week I am re-playing an interview I did with him back in July just before his sentencing. Below are the links to that interview, and another one with his daughter, followed by ways you can bless Cal while he is in prison...

6 Months in Prison for Bible Smuggler, Baby Rescuer

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/13

E** Faces Nashville Sentencing with Joyful China Memories and a Moving Song!

https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/the-pub/podcasts/30293/episodes/16

Seven Ways to Bless Cal while He is in Prison

Show up at your local abortion mill! Pray, sing, and peacefully share the love of Jesus with those running towards death.

Get your passport and be ready for opportunities to engage in global evangelization.

Write letters. Make sure your full name and return address are on the envelope. All mail is subject to search.

Cal (contact me for full name) / Case # 26324-510

FCI Thomson

FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

PO BOX 1002

THOMSON, IL 61285

Books can be sent directly from the publisher or from Amazon. Missions books are his favorite!

Visitation, all visitors must first be put on his visitation list and then go through a verification/approval process. There are many rules and specific times when visits are allowed. If you want more information here is the link to the prison's website:

https://www.bop.gov/inmates/visiting.jsp

Pray! “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Hebrews 13:3

Our family has been incredibly blessed by many who have stood with us through this season of light affliction. Thank you! If it were my dad writing this post, I know he would end with this:

"WORTHY IS THE LAMB!"

AI-Enhanced Persecution? / China's Terracotta Army (and the Emperor's Booby-Trapped Tomb) / Chatting w Dr. Claud re: Xi'an (Shaanxi)

China Compass — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 11:28:00 +0000

China, Iran, NK using AI to Track Christians

https://www.christianpost.com/news/china-iran-using-ai-to-track-and-repress-christians.html

China Scared To Open Booby-Trapped Tomb of Former Emperor

https://www.indy100.com/science-tech/chinas-first-emperor-tomb-booby-traps-2669408072

Shaanxi is our PFC province this week, and it is matched up with the state of Kansas.

Shaanxi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaanxi

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shaanxi

Personal Experiences in Shaanxi…

Read more about my arrest, interrogation, and deportation in my little book, Unbeaten, which can be found on Amazon or by visiting Unbeaten dot vip (Unbeaten.vip)

Chatting w Dr. Claud

The remainder of this week’s podcast is a conversation I had the other day with my good friend, Dr. “Claud”, who among other things, describes what it was like to live in Shaanxi for the better part of a year back in 2004 and 2005, ministering primarily to the deaf community there.

Claud and I reference this book/project near the end of our conversation…

Operation China

https://www.asiaharvest.org/operation-profiles#operation-list

Don’t forget: The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!) is now live on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-William-Milne-Missionary-1785-1822-ebook/dp/B0DJ1Q4HNR/

Walz Gets China Propaganda Boost, Biden "Stabbed in the Back" / Yunnan Missionaries & Martyrs

China Compass — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 11:19:00 +0000

The Memoirs of William Milne (200th Anniversary Edition!) is now live on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-William-Milne-Missionary-1785-1822-ebook/dp/B0DJ1Q4HNR/

China Daily: Can VP candidate Tim Walz bring sanity to US' China policy?

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202408/09/WS66b555a1a3104e74fddb927b.html

China Daily: US shouldn't play with fire when it comes to China ties (Biden criticism)

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202409/27/WS66f5ed08a310f1265a1c51b0.html

China Daily: How Beijing Can Address the World’s Questions

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202410/12/WS6709b43ea310f1265a1c7260.html

CBS: Trump is a critic of China's trade practices. His "God Bless USA" Bibles were printed there

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-god-bless-the-usa-bibles-printed-in-china/

E-mail the China Daily Editorialist: chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn

Yunnan is our PFC province this week, and it is matched up with the states of both Arkansas and Louisiana for prayer... PrayforChina.us

Yunnan = Southern Clouds

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunnan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/yunnan

Yunnan Missionaries (James O. Fraser)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_O._Fraser

https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Ranges-Changing-J-Fraser-ebook/dp/B007QI4VCC/

https://www.asiaharvest.org/the-lisu-people-providing-god-s-word-to-hungry-believers

Yunnan Martyrs

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/yunnan (includes list of a dozen or so)

https://www.asiaharvest.org/bookstore/Chinas-Book-of-Martyrs-Fire-&-Blood-p283327068 (Get the book)

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/yunnan/1927-morris-ruth-slichter

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/yunnan/1973-wang-zhiming

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/yunnan/1958-bao-zhiying

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/yunnan/1970s-the-little-flock-of-narrow-gate

The 7 “Speak-Nots” of Modern China, Gladys Aylward: The Great Little Missionary, and the "Ghastly Summer of 1900"

China Compass — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 11:50:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. And if you want to learn more about everything we are doing, visit PrayGiveGo.us

I've been back from my trip to Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, and Hong Kong for a few days now…

The Memoirs of William Milne (Kindle and print versions) is now live on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-William-Milne-Missionary-1785-1822-ebook/dp/B0DJ1Q4HNR/

From Mao to modern superpower: The 75-year rise and rise of the People's Republic of China:

https://news.sky.com/story/from-mao-to-modern-superpower-the-75-year-rise-and-rise-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china-13225622

Macau’s Casino-Driven Economy Fueled By China

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-21/casino-capital-macau-diversifies-economy/104375020

Tim Walz taught at China’s state-run Macau Polytechnic University until at least 2007

https://nypost.com/2024/08/14/us-news/walzs-china-ties-under-scrutiny/

Sinicization of Religion: China’s Coercive Religious Policy

https://www.uscirf.gov/publications/sinicization-religion-chinas-coercive-religious-policy

7 Things You Can’t Talk About in China

https://theworld.org/stories/2016/07/30/7-things-you-cant-talk-about-china

Taiwan Deports Two Chinese Nationals for Disrupting Pro-HK Rally

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5946222

Shanxi is our Pray for China province of the week, and is matched up with Nebraska…

Shanxi Overview

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanxi

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shanxi

Shanxi Missionaries (Gladys Aylward)

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/missionary-gladys-aylward

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_Aylward

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/73.html

https://www.cjvlang.com/Photos/yangcheng/smallwoman.html

Shanxi Martyrs

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shanxi

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shanxi/1900-protestant-martyrs-in-shanxi

CCP on Crosspolitic, Wang Yi’s Prison Pulpit, and the Legacy of Pastor Lucky

China Compass — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:15:00 +0000

Welcome to this special episode of China Compass, from Macau in the South China Sea. After mentioning my appearance this morning on Crosspolitic, I introduce a new series called “Wangyi’s Prison Pulpit” by looking at what he wrote regarding True Freedom during seasons of persecution:

Wangyi wrote: “I hope God uses me, by means of first losing my personal freedom, to tell those who have deprived me of my personal freedom that there is an authority higher than their authority, and that there is a freedom that they cannot restrain, a freedom that fills the church of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ.”

Next, I share a few fascinating details about the little city-state of Macau:

Macau: Las Vegas of the East, Reclaimed Land, Longest Bridge, Most Dense City, etc

Third, I talk about “The Legacy of Pastor Lucky”, who died January 20, 2007:

Read more at China Call Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/the-legacy-of-pastor-lucky

"Pastor Lucky has been obsessed with China all his life. No matter where he serves, he always has an unsolvable Chinese complex. When China just opened up in the early 1980s, he went to mainland China to preach the gospel to his own flesh and blood, build churches, and train preachers…

Morrison was the first Christian missionary to come to China. He served in China for 27 years, translated the Chinese Bible, and later died in Macau. Pastor Ji often took his friends to see his cemetery because he felt that Morrison loved China. The scripture engraved on Morrison's tombstone comes from Revelation 14:13: "From now on, blessed are the dead in the Lord. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors, for the fruit of their works will follow them." I believe that Pastor Ji, who has worked silently for the gospel of China throughout his life, is also remembered by the Lord."

Finally, I talk about China’s first missionary, Robert Morrison, and his book, The Memoirs of William Milne, which I released today on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJBRN3FB?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

I first stumbled on the relatively unknown story of William Milne when researching Robert Morrison, one of the more famous missionaries in China's history. However, Milne was Morrison's equal in many ways. They served in many of the same places (Canton, Macau, Malacca). They seemed to share the same level of fluency in Chinese. Both were Bible translators, and they corrected each other's work. One possibility as to why Milne is lesser known is that he died so young, yet Morrison lived to see the Chinese Bible through to completion.

When I found Morrison's edition of Milne's Memoirs, I knew immediately that this was something I wanted to both read and republish. In reality, people are more likely to read about Milne if Morrison commends him to them. The book also turned out to be an exciting window into the minds of both men. There is an intimacy to this work that cannot be reproduced in a normal biography.

This book imperfectly (it is representative, not exhaustive, of his words and actions) tells the story of William Milne’s family and his sacrificial efforts to plant the Gospel in hostile soil by translating, printing, and shipping (literally) God’s Word far and wide throughout the Chinese diaspora.

Ironically, Milne's one relatively well-known quote about the difficulty of learning Chinese is not found in these pages, and so I share it here. He stated that learning Chinese is. . .

“a work for men with bodies of brass, lungs of steel, heads of oak, hands of spring-steel, eyes of eagles, hearts of apostles, memories of angels, and lives of Methuselah!”

Christianity and Communist China (9 Things) & Did Postmillennialism Kill 30 Million Chinese in the Taiping Rebellion)?

China Compass — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 11:26:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. And if you want to learn more about everything we are doing, visit PrayGiveGo.us

I've been in Malaysia for more than a week now, and finally finished editing, just a few days ago, The Memoirs of William Milne. The Kindle book is now live on Amazon for just $2:

https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-William-Milne-Missionary-1785-1822-ebook/dp/B0DJ1Q4HNR/

China News:

Chinese Nuclear Sub SInks in Wuhan: https://notthebee.com/article/chinas-new-nuclear-sub-just-sank-while-at-dock-according-to-us-officials

Blaze News guest overstates China case: https://centerforsecuritypolicy.org/j-michael-waller-discusses-if-tim-walz-is-compromised-by-the-ccp/

9 Things to Know about Christianity and Communist China

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-you-should-know-about-christianity-and-communist-china/

Crazy Taiping Rebellion Connections...

William Milne and Robert Morrison, Afo and Hong Xiu Quan (aka Jesus younger brother), Univ. of Idaho Profesor accuses George Grant and a certain Calvinist minister in Moscow of preaching the same kind of eschatology that helped spark the Taiping Rebellion...

https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/

https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/taiping.htm#_edn14

https://www.history.com/topics/asian-history/taiping-rebellion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_Rebellion

Jiangsu is our Pray for China province of the week, and is matched up with Tennessee…

Jiangsu's Name & Geography

Asia Harvest on Jiangsu: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/jiangsu

Jiangsu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiangsu

Jiangsu Missionaries & Martyrs

Jack Vinson: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/jiangsu/1931-jack-vinson

John Birch: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/jiangsu/1945-john-birch

Maria (Hudson Taylor’s First Love), Malaysia (Almost Robbed!), and Malacca (Rachel's Grave)

China Compass — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 11:20:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. And if you want to learn more about everything we are doing, visit PrayGiveGo.us

I've been in Malaysia for a couple of days, primarily in Malacca, working on The Memoirs of William Milne (see PrayGiveGo.us on Oct 1 for the Kindle version).

I almost got robbed by some middle-aged Chinese guys walking to my hotel yesterday, and it reminded me of my previous adventures in Malaysia…

I want to point out that France has just proved the point about the Tibet/Xizang question last week…

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/xizang-replacing-tibet-in-french-museums-irked-tibetan-govt-in-exile-flags-distortion-of-history-101726766779169.html

Pray for China (Zhejiang/North Carolina)

Zhejiang is our province of the week, as well as today’s Pray for China post on X (@chinaadventures):

Sep 21 - Pray for Huzhou (“Hu-joe”), aka Lake District, in northern Zhejiang (浙江) Province on China's eastern seaboard. Zhejiang (“Juh-jiang”) one of China’s most populated and important provinces that nobody has ever heard of. South of Shanghai on China’s eastern seaboard, it is aptly paired up with North Carolina for prayer in our intercession scheme, which you can find @ https://prayforchina.us/

Zhejiang’s Name & Geography

Asia Harvest: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/zhejiang

Book: https://www.asiaharvest.org/bookstore/Zhejiang-The-Jerusalem-of-China-The-China-Chronicles-N%C2%BA3-p283325105

Zhejiang Missionaries & Martyrs

Hudson Taylor: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/zhejiang/hudson-taylor

Maria (Dyer) Taylor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Jane_Taylor

Desiring God on Hudson & Maria: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-marriage-of-tragedy-and-triumph

Hudson Taylor & Maria (book): https://www.christianfocus.com/products/383/hudson-taylor-maria

China’s First Protestant Martyr: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/zhejiang/1847-walter-lowrie

Thompson Family Massacred in Zhejiang: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/zhejiang/1900-david-agnes-thompson-and-children

Millions of Unadoptable Babies, China's 3 Forbidden "T's", and the Martyrs of Tianjin

China Compass — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 11:12:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. And if you want to learn more about everything we are doing, visit PrayGiveGo.us.

‘Matter of national pride’: Nationalism, not overpopulation, behind China foreign adoption ban

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-end-foreign-adoptions-national-pride-population-4605906

Pro-Life Training in China

https://www.passionlife.org/what-i-saw-in-china/

China’s 3 Forbidden “T’s”: Tibet, Taiwan, and Tiananmen

https://www.islands.com/1593165/chinese-three-ts-explained/

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-tibet-xizang-10122023021833.html

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/tibetan-place-names-explainer-09062024141218.html

https://www.outkick.com/sports/china-espn-disney-little-league-world-series-taiwan-chinese-taipei

Pray for China (Tianjin/Maryland)

This podcast is brought to you by Pray for China, where we encourage Christians from every US state to adopt every Chinese province in prayer. Today we will look at Tianjin, one of China’s “T’s” that is NOT forbidden, but rather often forgotten. Tianjin, a large port city on China’s northeast coast, is paired up with Maryland for prayer in our intercession scheme @ PrayforChina dot us (https://prayforchina.us/)

Tianjin’s Name & Geography

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/tianjin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin

Tianjin Massacre & Martyrs

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/tianjin/1870-the-tianjin-massacre

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/tianjin/1900-tianjin-li

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/tianjin/1900-protestant-martyrs-in-tianjin

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/tianjin/1900-zhou-fengen

Borden of Yale, the Millionaire Missionary

www.BordenofYale.com

Chinese Spies Among Us, China Cancels Adoptions, Mao Helped by Yale Mission in Hunan, China’s First Missionary

China Compass — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to China Compass! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben.

You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com… And if you want to learn more about everything we are doing, visit PrayGiveGo.us.

Today we discuss the following topics and more...

How many Chinese spies are among us?

Chinese Adoptions Come to An End (Families in Limbo)

https://www.foxnews.com/media/china-end-foreign-adoption-program-leaving-hundreds-u-s-families-limbo

Pray for our friends who have attempting to adopt Chinese children for years!

This podcast is brought to you by Pray for China, where we encourage Christians from every US state to adopt every Chinese province in prayer. Today we will look at Hunan, which is paired up with Indiana and Ohio for prayer in our intercession scheme @ PrayforChina dot us (https://prayforchina.us/)

Hunan's Name & Geography

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianmen_Mountain

https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/changsha/

Hunan's Christians (Wang Xianheng)

https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2024/08/life-of-wang-xiangheng-1/

Mao and the China-Yale Mission at Changsha, Hunan

https://ia801902.us.archive.org/33/items/yale-group-spurs-maos-emergence-yale-daily-news-vol.-93-no.-96-february-29-1972-p.-1/Yale%20Group%20Spurs%20Mao%27s%20Emergence%20%28Yale%20Daily%20News%2C%20Vol.%2093%2C%20No.%2096%2C%20February%2029%2C%201972%29%20p.%201.pdf

https://chinahandsmagazine.org/2021/03/26/120th-anniversary-of-yale-china-mao-zedong-and-yale-china/

Don’t forget to check out the millionaire missionary from Yale at http://BordenofYale.com!

Robert Morrison, China’s First Protestant Missionary, landed in China on THIS DAY (Sept 7, 1807)...

http://www.prayforchina.com/#!prayers/09-07

Cursing in Chinese, Anti-NBA Hypocrites, Chinese Megaport in Peru

China Compass — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 12:45:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network!

Find me on Twitter (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China. Email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com… And find the rest of our books and projects @ www.PrayGiveGo.us

This week I am recording in Peru, but I start out by talking about the NSA "middle finger" kerfuffle and why I can't curse in Chinese (or Spanish).

Next I talk about NBA players promoting their brands in China, and how to avoid being hypocrital when criticizing people who want to plant their flag in China.

https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/jordan-brand-athletes-2024-china-tour

This podcast is brought to you by Pray for China, where we encourage Christians from every US state to pray for every Chinese province. Today we look at Shanghai, which is paired up with New York City for prayer in our Pray for China intercession scheme: https://prayforchina.us/index.php/new-york/

I want to focus on Shanghai today, and after talking about my visit the the 7 Star Shanghai Restaurant, we look at a funny linguistic connection to Peru (Shanghai/Chancay) and then talk extensively about the potentially dangerous Chinese Megaport being built in Peru.

https://www.nzz.ch/english/chinas-mega-port-in-peru-poses-a-geopolitical-threat-ld.1840781

https://www.scmp.com/video/china/3268281/peru-resolves-chinese-megaport-dispute-president-prepares-meet-xi

We wind down by talking about all the Chinese people in Peru (and their restaurants) and how I went from serving in Peru (short-term) to living in China (long-term). I also share what's so special about where I am recording this podcast from (the slums of northern Lima, Peru!).

And here's the final plug from the podcast...

Training and Sending from the Andes to the Himalayas :: https://tibetandina.com/

Tim Walz: China Asset? + Black Dragon River & Double Duck Mountain

China Compass — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 10:23:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network!

We start out by discussing Tim Walz' ties to China, as seen in two different articles...

Seven Troubling Tim Walz Connections to Communist China

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/08/08/exclusive-seamus-bruner-seven-troubling-tim-walz-connections-to-communist-china/

Tim Walz’s Long Relationship With China Defies Easy Stereotypes

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/us/tim-walz-china.html

Next we talk about our primary sponsor, Pray for China, where we encourage Christians from every US state to pray for every Chinese province. Today in “honor” of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, we are looking at the Chinese province of Heilongjiang (Black Dragon River), which is paired up with the state of Minnesota for prayer in our Pray for China intercession scheme.

Heilongjiang translates literally as Black Dragon River, and is located in far northern China just south of the Black Dragon River, which separates it from Siberia to the north. Black Dragon River is known for its pine forests, rivers, lakes, and frigid winter weather (sound familiar?). It makes a natural fit for Minnesota.

The capital of Black Dragon River is Harbin, but that same trip I also visited the towns of Suihua, Hegang, Yichun, Jiamusi, Shuangyashan, Jixi, Qiezihe, Qitaihe, Mishan, Hulin, and more. I tell a few stories in the time that remains…

4am Conversation with a Homeless Man

https://open.substack.com/pub/chinacall/p/4am-conversation-with-a-homeless

Double Duck Mountain Orphanage
Thinking in Chinese for the 1st Time
More fun town names: Eggplant River, Western Chicken, Tiger Forest
One final story. It was in one of these cities where I ate dog for the first time.
And can you guess the one and only place I've eaten camel (burgers)?

Subscribe to my blog/substack @ ChinaCall.Substack.com

From Chinese Reality TV to NSA, Chatting with Brent in Moscow (Idaho) about our China Adventures

China Compass — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 10:18:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network!

On this special episode I talk with my good friend Brent who is a teacher at NSA, and we are recording right here in Moscow during the 2024 Grace Agenda Conference.

In this podcast, Brent and I discuss a wide range of topics, including...

The Olympics in China (Brent carried the torch in 2008!)
Living in Wuhan long before the pandemic
Liaoning Province being paired with NY, PA, NJ, and Delaware
Practical tips for learning Chinese
Eating "creature soup" (me) and big bugs (Brent)
How John Piper introduced me to Brent and became a friend
Delivering Bibles & running from the police in the foothills of Tibet
What its like to be a "star" on Chinese TV (Brent)
The state of Chinese classical Christian education (Brent)

Here is the link to the John Piper sermon that God used to introduce Brent and I...

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/my-burden-for-the-truly-unreached-fbc

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/holy-ambition

And here are various links to Brent's book on Chinese classical Christian education, "Redeeming the Six Arts", in both English and Chinese:

Roman Roads Press：https://romanroadspress.com/store/six-arts/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Six-Arts-Christian-Classical-ebook/dp/B0BXY45TSK/

中文（Chinese)：

恩道：https://ebook.endao.co/book-914#

微读：https://wdbook.com/dp/54502751633409?fbclid=IwAR2B082mM0lkt2_q_i1-ZR-G-P6Olb-XjO6Xkha27KZJfB_9jdsBIoq046E

亚马逊：https://www.amazon.com/%E6%95%91%E8%B5%8E%E5%85%AD%E8%89%BA-Redeeming-Six-Arts-Chinese/dp/1944482709/

China’s Olympic Pride (& Propaganda) / 1st Trip to China (22 Yrs Ago This Week)

China Compass — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 12:02:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I’m your host & China travel guide, missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures), where I post daily details and reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com, which is my pen name. If you want to learn more about our missions projects or get any one of my books, visit PrayGiveGo.us.

This week, I'm trying to get back into my “normal” podcast schedule, as I comment on current events from a Chinese perspective, highlight one particular Chinese province to pray for, and then finish by telling a bunch of stories from my experiences in that particular province.

So we start by discussing China's Olympic pride and propaganda, dating back to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and turning to the current medal competition with the United States. Here are the NPR articles that I referenced...

https://www.npr.org/2024/08/09/nx-s1-5068021/olympic-medal-count-paris-gold-silver-bronze-total

https://www.npr.org/2024/08/02/nx-s1-5061584/china-paris-olympic-gold-medal-count

Next we look in depth at the Chinese province of Jiangxi, which is paired up with Georgia in our Pray for China prayer scheme (https://prayforchina.us/index.php/georgia/). Hot, humid, hilly, located in SE China and and only slightly larger than Georgia, Jiangxi was the early hideout (aka, Jiangxi Soviet) of the the Communist guerillas (led by Mao) in the 1920s and 30s, as well as home to the important Lushan Hill Station, which was built by missionaries in the late 19th Century, but served as a de facto southern capital for the Communist Part for many years during Mao's reign.

Finally, during story time I talk about turning 19 on the streets of Jiangxi's capital, Nanchang. I share about our encounters with police (and a sheep!) in Yiyang and Lianhua, getting taken for a (yummy) ride in Ji’an, oversleeping on a wooden bed, walking circles around Ganzhou, and wading through the Dingnan floods all while "running from the light".

As I mention on the podcast, get your copy of Borden of Yale (free on Kindle!), who visited northern Jiangxi in the fall of 1904 at the age of just 16, and tells a few stories himself: BordenofYale.com

China Missionary Killed in Plane Crash & 14 y/o Missionary Arrested in China

China Compass — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 10:59:00 +0000

I’m your host & China travel guide, missionary Ben. You can follow me on X @chinaadventures, and you can email me with any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. B.F. Westen is my pen name, btw.

If you want to learn more about our prayer and missionary projects and get any of the books I’ve helped to publish, check out the website www.PrayGiveGo.us for easy access to all of these things.

On last week’s podcast I shared my extended interview with Evangelina, and her beautiful song reminding us to pray for the persecuted. This week’s podcast features a ½ hour interview with her brother “Jaime”, who talks in depth about his arrest and deportation from China in 2011, when he was just 14.

Jaime is also one of the 10 being sentenced in Nashville. He, along with his sister and another young man, were sentenced on July 30th. Similarly to the other defendants (except for their dad, “Uncle Bundo”, who was given 6 months in jail), they were let off with a combination of home detention and probation. Here is the update that was posted online this week…

Update: The four defendants today have been given time served (which covers the 21 months of pretrial probation), followed by 90 days of home detention, followed by 3 years of probation.

But before my interview with Jaime, I spent some time remembering a brother, a friend, a missionary, who passed away in a plane crash in Canada (Merritt, BC) a few days ago (Sunday evening, July 27th), leaving behind a wife and five kids (from their late teens to mid 20s). For security reasons, I will just share his first name, Geoff. Listen to the podcast for my thoughts on his life and legacy.

E** Faces Nashville Sentencing with Joyful China Memories and a Moving Song!

China Compass — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 05:01:00 +0000

On this special episode of the China Compass Podcast, Evangelina faces her upcoming Nashville sentencing (July 30, 2024) with faith and joy.

Then we talk through many happy (and scary) China memories, including her near escape (when I was deported).

Finally, she shares how my little deportation book (Unbeaten.vip), was a blessing to her (esp. the Appendix: Remember My Chains), then plays and sings the beautiful and powerful song, Remember Me.

She wrote this song about interceding for the persecuted partly based on my message, and partly from her own experience in US Prisons.

As always, the China Compass Podcast is brought to you by www.PrayforChina.us!

China’s Take on Trump Shooting, Scissor Robbers in Guangdong (Canton)

China Compass — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 05:09:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast (from Lima, Peru)! Today, I start by looking at China's "take" on the assassination attempt on former president Trump, and how the Commies use the news for their own propaganda purposes...

A nation under strain: What the Trump assassination attempt reveals about America

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202407/16/WS669660aea31095c51c50e67b.html

Trump T-shirts that flooded Chinese retail sites after the shooting have disappeared

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-china-t-shirts-disappear-online-rcna162042

*China Compass is brought to you by Pray for China: www.PrayforChina.us --- Follow @chinaadventures for daily prayer updates!

Today's featured province is Guangdong (aka, Canton). After a quick overview of this heavily populated region, it's story time. I talk about the time I was almost robbed with a pair of scissors while taking a midnight nap, my first experience with Chinese beggars, and my first encounter with the Chinese police, that almost stopped my career in China even before it got started.

*Unbeaten is my story of being arrested, interrogated and deported from China in 2018: www.Unbeaten.vip

Finally, we tackle some new China Compass Q&A, followed by William Borden's account of the Guangdong "boat people" in 1904.

*Borden of Yale is a classic missionary biography written by Hudson Taylor's DIL: www.BordenofYale.com

More on the Nashville 10, American Summer Camp in Fujian, and a 4 Hour Email at a Chinese "Wangba"

China Compass — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast! I start by sharing some observations from last week's Nashville Sentencing, which took place just after I recorded the interviews with Denny and Uncle Bundo.

The most important thing I mention is Denny's bold declaration to the judge, which you can read here: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/missionary-arrested-in-nashville

Also, please bookmark Denny's extensive online used bookstore, which is one of the primary ways he supports his family and ministry: https://www.remnantbooks.org/

In my interview with Uncle Bundo, we forgot to encourage everyone to pray for Heather Idoni, one of the Nashville 10 (and a grandmother!) who is already in federal prison due to a similar conviction last year: https://freeheatheridoni.com/

The CCP is brought to you by Pray for China (https://prayforchina.us/) and today's province is Fujian on China's SE coast (paired up with South Carolina).

After a short overview of Fujian, I discuss China's subtle propaganda at a Summer Camp FOR AMERICANS in China, hosted outside of Fujian's capital, Fuzhou: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/07/09/world/politics/xi-young-americans-scripted/

I also discuss China's CURRENT war with Taiwan, just miles away (in certain places) from Fujian: https://asiatimes.com/2024/06/chinas-war-with-taiwan-is-already-underway/

During story time, I tell about meeting a fighting couple (domestic abuse) and an elderly Christian man during the long walk through the old city streets of Fuzhou in 2003.

Finally, I finish by describing my attempt at pronouncing (and finding) "net bar" (wangba) in Fujian 20 years ago, and the time I spent four hours(!) writing an email to my now wife.

6 Months in Prison for Bible Smuggler, Baby Rescuer

China Compass — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:00:00 +0000

On this special episode of China Compass. I chat with my good friend "Uncle Bundo" the night before his sentencing in federal court for singing and praying in front of a Nashville abortion clinic.

After a brief introduction, we spend the first segment discussing his experiences during upwards of 30(!) trips to China, including taking Bibles to Chinese believers in the late 1980s (1:28).

Then, after discussing Uncle Bundo's favorite Chinese region (16:45), we talk through more stories, including being surrounded by Muslims in the middle of the night and falling and busting his head open in a Tibetan town (also in the middle of the night) with his teenage daughter driving the getaway-car-turned-ambulance.

(BTW, AsiaHarvest.org is the best way to send Bibles to China today. Also, visit PrayforChina.us to learn how to pray strategically for all of China.and follow @chinaadventures on X for daily China prayer updates)

We finish with Uncle Bundo sharing how you can be praying for him as he faces sentencing in Nashville (41:15), followed by one last story about driving a retired police van turned Bible-delivery-vehicle all over the mountains of western China with his teenage kids.

Although he wants to keep his identity a secret, in hopes to return to China again one day, he does want to encourage everyone to pray for Heather Idoni, one of the Nashville 10 (and a grandmother!) who is already in federal prison due to a similar conviction earlier this year:

https://freeheatheridoni.com/

*Uncle Bundo was sentenced on July 3rd (the day AFTER this podcast was recorded) to 6 months in Federal Prison, followed by 6 months house arrest and three years of probation. The prison sentence won't start until at least October, possibly later depending on appeals.

Denny Deported from China (Multiple Times), Sentenced in Nashville

China Compass — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Today on the China Compass Podcast I interviewed my good friend and China co-laborer Denny (aka, William Ekvall Simpson) the day before his sentencing in federal court on July 3, 2024, for singing and praying in front of a Nashville abortion clinic back in 2021.

We spend most of our time discussing our evangelistic adventures in China (7:18), including stories of being chased in the middle of the night with his teenage son and multiple arrests by the Commies (with his teenage daughters).

We also discuss Denny's favorite Chinese place (Summer River, Gansu) and missionary martyr (William Ekvall Simpson) who loaned Denny his name for a season so he could get back into China.

*Visit PrayforChina.us (@chinaadventures on X) to learn how to pray more strategically for all of China.*

We finish by discussing how to pray for Denny and the ten who were being sentenced in Nashville. (47:21)

*Thankfully, Denny was NOT given prison time* by the judge, even though he gave wonderfully bold testimony to the truth in his public statement just before she passed sentence:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/missionary-arrested-in-nashville

*He was given six months of House Arrest, followed by three years of probation. It is unclear when this will begin, depending on appeals.

Please bookmark Denny's extensive online used bookstore, which is one of the primary ways he supports his family and ministry: https://www.remnantbooks.org/

Welcome to Remnant Books. Our specialty is quality new and used Christian books. We're sure you'll find that special book whether you're looking for books regarding Church History, Homeschool curriculum, Theology, Evangelism, Missions, Apologetics, Creation/Evolution, Classics, Biographies, or rare, out-of-print Christian titles.

Hitchhikin’ w Kids, the Drowning of Dr. King, and "Dystopian" Ningxia

China Compass — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 10:37:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast! After I defend my China bonafides, we begin by looking at the flights that are (and are not) available between the US and the Mainland this year (1:40)…

https://simpleflying.com/airlines-with-most-us-china-flights-summer-2024/

Next we look at why many of China’s millionaires are fleeing (5:44) (and how they get their $ out), followed by why I think we shouldn’t be concerned about “most” of the US land being bought by Chinese nationals (10:31) …

https://www.newsweek.com/china-millionaires-leaving-country-1916427

https://nypost.com/2024/06/20/us-news/chinese-owned-farmland-next-to-19-us-military-bases/

CCP is brought to you by Pray for China (www.PrayforChina.us). (15:46) Get daily prayer reminders on Insta or X: @chinaadventures. Here’s today’s post about Shizuishan in Ningxia…

June 26 - Pray for Shizuishan (“Stony Beak Mtn”), in arid Ningxia (宁夏) Province in north-central China. Home to millions of Chinese Muslims, Ningxia is paired with western Missouri for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/states/missouri.html

For more info:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shizuishan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/christians-in-china-stats/ningxia

After explaining why Halal entrepreneurs in Ningxia are struggling (22:11), it's time for an extended story time… https://www.economist.com/china/2024/05/09/in-todays-china-to-get-rich-is-perilous

First, I talk about my first miserable night in Ningxia, then the two (literal) darkest experiences of my life and losing my brakes on a family road trip across China, and finally hitchhiking with two of my young kids after stupidly running out of gas on a cold night. (26:47)

Finally, after this week’s China Compass Q&A about Chinese Road Trips (41:13), I share the testimony (48:16) of sacrificial missionary, Dr. George King, and his connection to Wiliiam Borden.

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/gansu/1927-george-king (Also see: www.BordenofYale.com)

Here's the "losing my brakes on a 14k ft. pass" accident article I mentioned during the final segment:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/runaway-van-14700-feet

Chased by Tibetan Police Dogs, Sichuan Earthquake, and Early Rain

China Compass — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast! After a reminder as to why I am doing this podcast (0:44)), we begin by looking at China’s loosening of visa requirements for (most) foreigners (1:50)…

https://skift.com/2024/06/17/china-expands-visa-waiver-program-list-more-countries-added/amp/

https://skift.com/2024/01/01/china-eases-visa-rules-for-u-s-tourists/

Next we look at the relative strength of China’s currency, the “yuan” or “RMB” and the drastic drop in expats working in China since the pandemic (9:02)…

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/06/13/chinas-currency-is-not-as-influential-as-once-imagined (Paywall)

https://www.ft.com/content/dfd5c399-976f-4f0b-8a1b-fbac495100b6

CCP is brought to you by Pray for China. (Get daily prayer reminders on Insta or X: @chinaadventures)

Today we are looking at Sichuan Province (16:43), which is matched up with central Texas for prayer: https://prayforchina.us/states/texas.html

After an overview of beautiful Sichuan, its story time (25:00). I talk about one of the most interesting nights of my life, running from angry dogs, school principals, and my own conscience high up on the Tibetan Plateau.

More info on Early Rain (Pastor Wang Yi): https://chinapartnership.org/early-rain-covenant-church/

More info on the Sichuan Earthquake: https://www.britannica.com/event/Sichuan-earthquake-of-2008

We conclude with this week’s China Compass Q&A about Chinese Cuisine (37:43)…

https://www.chinasichuanfood.com/mala-chicken/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dapanji

***Check out all our various resources and activities... www.PrayGiveGo.us

Arrested in Lucky Forest for Spying on North Korea

China Compass — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 19:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast!

Today we start with an article about an LGBT Taiwanese arrested (rightfully) in China (2:10), and how China sometimes does the right thing (for the wrong reasons), including persecuting cults…

https://www.voanews.com/amp/detention-of-two-taiwanese-in-china-sparks-concern-about-personal-safety/7651055.html

Next we look at the long-standing frustration of foreigners being forbidden from most Chinese hotels (9:38).

https://www.ft.com/content/bd2ea766-21f0-436d-b32b-26f8be640052 (Paywall)

Then a couple articles about North Korean trash balloons (13:09), which leads us into discussion of our adopted province of the day, Lucky Forest (Jilin), which shares a long border with North Korea (15:24).

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/north-korea-resumes-flying-balloons-bid-drop-trash-110954597

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/06/11/nation-world-news/seoul-activists-develop-smart-balloons-to-send-messages-deep-into-north-korea/

CCP is brought to you by Pray for China: https://prayforchina.us/ Find your province to pray for today!

After an overview of beautiful Jilin (16:25), it is story time (21:54). I share about my one and only visit to a Christian hotel in China, followed by my account of being detained along the North Korean border as a suspected spy.

Get daily prayer reminders on X: @chinaadventures

I spent a few days here back in the summer of 2003, which I remember esp. for the “Christian Hotel” I stumbled upon in the town of Meihekou, where all the workers were reading their Bibles!

Jilin (Literally: Lucky Forest) is paired up with all 6 New England states for prayer: www.PrayforChina.us

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonghua

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/jilin

#prayforchina

Tiananmen Massacre, Beijing Below Zero, Baby Denied Visa

China Compass — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 20:00:00 +0000

On this edition of China Compass I discuss the 35th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre (1:40). Then I give my first and favorite impressions of Beijing (14:50), telling some of my favorite stories from the Chinese capital, including the miracle of getting my son’s very first visa. Finally, a little Q&A, focusing on cultural questions (33:59).

Pray for China, focusing this week on Beijing! We have missionary friends there who covet your prayers for their family: www.PrayforChina.us

Tiananmen links:

https://bitterwinter.org/thirty-years-after-tiananmen-and-religion/

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/30-years-later-what-christians-should-know-about-china-s-horrific-tiananmen-square-massacre/

https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/11/magazine/the-pilgrimage-from-tiananmen-square.html

And lots of shocking details here…

https://factsanddetails.com/china/cat2/sub7/entry-7461.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Tiananmen_Square_protests_and_massacre

The very helpful and fascinating Chai Ling biography I referenced…

A Heart for Freedom: The Remarkable Journey of a Young Dissident, Her Daring Escape, and Her Quest to Free China's Daughters https://a.co/d/0KWT3ca

Finally, the dragon article I mentioned in the Q&A…

https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/asian-dragons

Xinjiang, the Uyghurs, and an Epic Journey: Aksu-Okinawa (Hami-Hiroshima, Turpan-Tokyo)

China Compass — Fri, 31 May 2024 20:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the China Compass Podcast! Today's news takes us back to Taiwan (0:42) and an article that says pretty much what I articulated in the first podcast a few weeks ago:

www.businessinsider.com/us-missing-how-china-could-seize-taiwan-without-invading-experts-2024-5

Next, we look at the hypocritical Chinese gov't complaints about unfair deportations:

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/china-says-students-including-those-at-yale-subjected-to-interrogations-and-deportations-at-us-entry-points/

CCP is brought to you by Pray for China: https://prayforchina.us/

Today's provincial prayer focus takes us to far west China's Xinjiang, which is the primarily home of the oppressed Uyghur Muslims: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/xinjiang

After an overview of beautiful Xinjiang (5:58), and a look at some of the difficulties, then its story time. I share about my epic overland journey through Xinjiang, and subsequent flights to Japan, in 2015 (14:36).

You can also read my account here: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/aksu-to-okinawa?r=1zhx0p

(Due to time constraints, I skipped the China Compass Questions segment this week)

Email me comments or questions @ china.myadventures[@]gmail dot com

Get daily prayer reminders on X: @chinaadventures

Here's the one for today, which paired up perfectly with today's Xinjiang focus...

May 31 - Pray for Aksu Prefecture in Xinjiang Autonomous Region in far west China.

I spent a few days in Xinjiang back in the summer of 2015. Here's my report: https://chinacall.substack.com/.../145153541/share-center

Xinjiang is such a large region that it took the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington to adequately pair up in prayer: PrayforChina.us

For more info:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aksu_Prefecture

https://www.asiaharvest.org/christians-in-china.../xinjiang

Remembering Deportation Day (May 25, 2018)

China Compass — Sat, 25 May 2024 21:30:00 +0000

In this special bonus episode of the China Compass Podcast, I reminisce on my former life in China from the perspective of now being banned for the past six years.

This is the first podcast I have done without any notes at all, mainly because I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to say. I like the way it turned out, except for one short interruption in the middle when I was distracted by a loud noise upstairs.

Here's the link to the full text version of Chapter Seven from my book:

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/deportation-day-may-25-2018

And here's the promo and link to the book itself:

Unbeaten: Confronting the Lies (and Laughter) of the Chinese Communist Police

This is the story of my arrest, interrogation, and deportation from China on May 25, 2018. First available in print on April 30, 2024, which was the 6th anniversary of my initial arrest, you can get it on Amazon: Unbeaten.vip

Other Notes:

Mobilizing Andean Missionaries for Tibet

www.tibetAndina.com

Pray for China: Every Province, Every County

www.PrayforChina.us

Pray4Gansu: Oklahoma's Sister State

www.Pray4Gansu.com

John G. Paton's 200th Birthday, Hudson Taylor vs John Paton, Toby Sumpter's Paton Talk

China Compass — Fri, 24 May 2024 21:30:00 +0000

Welcome to today’s bonus episode of the China Compass Podcast!

Happy 200th Birthday to John G. Paton!

Tears for Tanna: The Perseverance of John G. Paton and the Transformation of Tanna

The autobiography of the “King of the Cannibals” who lost everything but his life during his first few years on the forsaken island of Tanna. I reformatted and edited this classic book, which was officially released on May 24, 2024, John G. Paton’s 200th birthday.

JohnGPaton.com

In this episode, I discuss the following and more...

My first exposure to Paton (2:15)
John Paton vs Hudson Taylor (12:11)
Why I republished Paton's autobiography

*Special thanks to Toby Sumpter for his talk on John G. Paton at the Christ Church Missions Conference (Download on the ChristKirk App), and for writing the Foreword to Tears for Tanna.

Tibet vs Gaza, the Dalai Lama, and the Forbidden Land

China Compass — Thu, 23 May 2024 05:03:00 +0000

On this edition of the CCP, Ben discusses the “deportation” of Chinese illegals and a recent article comparing Tibet with Gaza (6:01). Next he introduces Tibet (14:30). News about the Dalai Lama comes next (16:31), followed by fascinating stories (21:40) of four (illegal) visits to the Forbidden Land. Finally, he gives a quick intro to the Tibetan language (42:38) and shares a couple of book recommendations.

Contact: @chinaadventures / china.myadventures@gmail.com

Sponsor: Pray for China - http://PrayforChina.us

(Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Northern Utah/Colorado adopt Tibet for prayer)

Resources: God Spoke Tibetan - https://a.co/d/3Bt1ZpM

Tibet: Roof of the World by Paul Hattaway - https://www.asiaharvest.org/bookstore/Tibet-The-Roof-of-the-World-The-China-Chronicles-N%C2%BA4-p282172673

Sources:

China and US resume deportations as Chinese rush in from southern border - https://apnews.com/article/china-immigration-border-deportation-mayorkas-514f42ee56e80fe7eb7f9fcc71c4d55c

American hypocrisy over Tibet and Gaza boggles the mind - https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3260699/american-hypocrisy-over-tibet-and-gaza-boggles-mind

Tibetan singer arrested for song lamenting Dalai Lama’s absence - https://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/singer-arrested-song-lamenting-dalai-lamas-absence-05142024170837.html

How Tibetans are pushing back against China's involvement in Dalai Lama's succession - https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/how-tibetans-are-pushing-back-against-chinas-involvement-in-dalai-lamas-succession-101714504756704.html

Baseball in the Tibetan Sun and Midnight at the Monastery

China Compass — Thu, 23 May 2024 04:51:00 +0000

On this CCP, Ben discusses the evolution of tourism in China. Next he introduces Qinghai (9:50), home to a big, beautiful inland sea and never-ending solar panels. He shares stories (20:11) from his first visit to the province with his brother in 2003, when they were just teenagers. They played a lot of catch and had a number of “adventures”. Finally, he ends with a China Compass Q&A re:the Peoples of China (41:56)

Contact:

X: @chinaadventures

Email: china.myadventures@gmail.com

Sponsor: Pray for China - http://PrayforChina.us

(New Mexico, West Texas, & Southern Colorado adopt Qinghai for prayer)

Resources:

My Deportation Story - http://Unbeaten.vip

Operation China - https://www.asiaharvest.org/people-group-profiles

References:

Chinese Tourism soars but foreigners stay away - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-68982645.amp

Qinghai Has an Ocean of Solar Power, but Nowhere to Store It -

https://www.caixinglobal.com/2024-01-08/cover-story-qinghai-has-an-ocean-of-solar-power-but-nowhere-to-store-it-102154083.html

Gansu Who, Shocking Story, and more SARS Craziness

China Compass — Wed, 22 May 2024 23:55:00 +0000

On this CCP, Ben mentions “the other CCP” before laying out plans for this podcast. He then introduces Gansu Province (8:00), where he lived, raised a family, but was eventually kicked out of.

He also tells the shocking story behind the title of his book Unbeaten (12:22), of his Gansu friends who suffered through a major earthquake, and shares about comical checkpoint scenes during SARS in 2003 (27:02).

Finally, he ends with a China Compass Q&A on the Chinese Church. (33:06)

X: @chinaadventures

Email: china.myadventures@gmail.com

Sponsor: Pray for China - http://PrayforChina.us

Sponsor: http://Pray4Gansu.com (Oklahoma adopts Gansu for prayer)

Resource: My Deportation Story - http://Unbeaten.vip

Resource: Millionaire Missionary - http://BordenofYale.com

Bonus Sponsor: Bibles for China - http://AsiaHarvest.org

China 101, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Surviving SARS

China Compass — Wed, 22 May 2024 23:02:00 +0000

Welcome to the first episode of the China Compass Podcast (CCP)!

Missionary Ben (Pen Name: B.F. Westen) introduces himself and shares why he is qualified to talk about China.

Then he dives into China 101 (9:02), answering foundational questions about China’s name, size, geography, peoples, and language.

After introducing Pray for China (19:50), he gives an overview of China’s outlying regions (24:42) (Taiwan, Hong Kong/Puerto Rico, and Macau) and his experiences there (34:00), including surviving SARS in 2003.

X: @chinaadventures

Email: china.myadventures@gmail.com

Sponsor: Pray for China - http://PrayforChina.us

Resource: Borden of Yale (book) - http://BordenofYale.com