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Dear Behzad: A Letter From My Daughter to My Spiritual Father Before His Death
My youngest daughter, Laura, who had never met him, asked me if she could also write him an email. And she did. He told me later that words cannot express how much her email meant to him just before his open-heart surgery. Little did any of us know that Behzad would keep Laura’s2014 letter and draw great comfort from reading it again prior to his death last week. Behzad wanted me to share Laura’s letter with his family and friends again. So, here it is:
Reflections On The Passing Of My Spiritual Father: Behzad Pakizegi
My spiritual father's departure from this life came last night. He is now with Christ and no longer suffering. I'll never forget the first time I met him in the Fall of 1973. I had gone with friends to disrupt a floor meeting in my freshman dormitory advertised as a presentation of the claims and credentials of Christ. After we disrupted the meeting, suddenly, a dark bearded Middle Eastern man stood up and walked toward us, carrying a Bible and smiling broadly.
Repurpose Your Life For the Sake of the World in 2020
These are among the most ancient and significant questions in all of life. We look for answers and we’re restless until we find them. That’s because nothing really makes ultimate sense in life until we can answer ultimate questions of purpose and meaning. Ultimate questions deserve ultimate answers.
How Do We Find Purpose In Life? (Repurpose Your Life, Part 1)
Repurpose Your Life is a framework for understanding history from the beginning to the end of time, and what lies after. It considers the ancient questions of the ages about our world and humanity from a Christian perspective.
What in the World is God Doing? (Repurpose Your Life, Part 2)
Repurpose Your Life is a framework for understanding history from the beginning to the end of time, and what lies after. It considers the ancient questions of the ages about our world and humanity from a Christian perspective.
What is God's Purpose for the World? (Repurpose Your Life, Part 3)
Repurpose Your Life is a framework for understanding history from the beginning to the end of time, and what lies after. It considers the ancient questions of the ages about our world and humanity from a Christian perspective.
How is God Carrying Out His Purposes? (Repurpose Your Life, Part 4)
Repurpose Your Life is a framework for understanding history from the beginning to the end of time, and what lies after. It considers the ancient questions of the ages about our world and humanity from a Christian perspective.
What is Our Hope for a Broken World? (Repurpose Your Life, Part 5)
Repurpose Your Life is a framework for understanding history from the beginning to the end of time, and what lies after. It considers the ancient questions of the ages about our world and humanity from a Christian perspective.
Declaration by Christians in Hong Kong in Support of Pastor Wang Yi of the Early Rain Church in Chengdu
We are a group of Christians based in Hong Kong who care about the well-being of churches in China. We are gravely concerned about the prosecution and sentencing of Pastor Wang Yi of the Early Rain Covenant Church for 9 years by the Intermediate People’s Court in Chengdu on 30 December 2019, under the charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “unlawful business operation”. The following is our statement in this regard
Statement from Persecuted Early Rain Church Regarding Severe Sentence of their Pastor Wang Yi
Since December 9th, 2018, our church’s senior pastor Wang Yi has been imprisoned on charges of “inciting to subvert state power” and “illegal business operations.” On December 26th, 2019, he was secretly tried at the Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court.
On December 30th, the court announced that Pastor Wang Yi was sentenced to 9 years in prison and fined 50,000 RMB. Our church issues the following statement to clarify our position
China Sentences Prominent Pastor Wang Yi to Nine Years in Prison for Subversion
Wang Yi is one of China's most prominent protestant pastors, a respected intellectual, a legal scholar, a renowned human rights advocate, and a church movement leader. On Monday morning (Beijing time), December 30, 2019, the Chinese government sentenced pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison on charges of inciting subversion of state power.
My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience – Pastor Wang Yi (English Translation)
Wang Yi is one of China's most prominent protestant pastors, a respected intellectual, a legal scholar, a renowned human rights advocate, and a church movement leader.
Pastor Wang Yi wrote the declaration below to be published by his church should he be detained for more than 48 hours. In it he explains the meaning and necessity of faithful disobedience, how it is distinct from political activism or civil disobedience, and how Christians should carry it out.
Why Give?: 5 Encouraging (Biblical) Reasons
During this time of year we’re often asked to consider giving financially to many worthy organizations and ministries. I realize that Pathway Learning is just one of many. Giving can be difficult and sometimes scary because it means that we are choosing to have less. But it’s important for us to give. Here are five reasons why we should give that I hope you’ll find encouraging.
Watch Exciting 2-Minute Video of Training Church Leaders Around the World
As Pathway Learning prepares for 2020, we’re reaffirming four core commitments that I would like to share with you. All four commitments are centered on glorifying God and advancing his kingdom on earth, through his church, by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These commitments can truly make a lasting difference in the lives of people, communities, and entire nations into the next generation.
Four Core Commitments in 2020
As Pathway Learning prepares for 2020, we’re reaffirming four core commitments that I would like to share with you. All four commitments are centered on glorifying God and advancing his kingdom on earth, through his church, by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These commitments can truly make a lasting difference in the lives of people, communities, and entire nations into the next generation.
Church Bulletins Sometimes Lie (Values, Part 4)
Make a bold, new, creative mistake, don't make this mistake. Don't make the mistake of not understanding the difference between a stated value and a core value.
You visit a church and they've got the core values in the worship bulletin. They got the core values framed, but how do you know whether it really is a core value or a stated value?
Join Worldwide Day of Prayer for Persecuted Church in China on December 9th
On December 9th, 2018, authorities arrested more than 100 members and leaders of Early Rain Covenant Church（秋雨圣约教会）, including their pastor, Wang Yi, who along with his wife were charged with “inciting to subvert state power.” Pastor Wang Yi is still in jail awaiting trial. China Partnership is calling for a worldwide day of prayer for all churches in China on this day. Included is a helpful prayer guide.
Looking Underneath Our Behaviors to Our Values (Values, Part 3)
Having looked at beliefs and having looked at behaviors, we're going to narrow in on the concept of values. Church planters often fail to understand the true underlying values of the church. Which as we'll see in this article, are often not the same as the churches stated articulated values.
Help Under-Served Church Leaders Make a Difference in the World on #GivingTuesday
We exist to help under-served church leaders develop churches that transform lives and communities worldwide. We're seeking more partners to invest in the next generation through Pathway Learning. Will you help church leaders develop churches that transform lives and communities?
Early Rain Covenant Church Elder Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
Elder Qin Defu's trial was held last week at the Chengdu Qingyang District People's Court. He was charged with "illegal business operations" for his service at the church, which included providing books and printed resources for church members and printing and distributing hymnals. On November 29, he was sentenced to four years in prison, leaving behind a wife and two young children