Having returned from the two weeks in China, my body is exhausted but my mind and spirit are churning. The country is vast and huge beyond description; the pollution is so thick that at times it was hard to see across a street; the people are friendly and helpful and the cities are filled with millions of inhabitants.

As we traveled to the sites which are visited by tourists, I appreciated the richness of the culture and heritage of the land. The food was interesting, even though at times I was unsure what I was eating but actually enjoying most of the dishes. When we journeyed by train for 18 hours, the countryside was beautiful and cultivated.

However, what moved me the most and has stirred within me a hope and a desire was sensing the hand of God at work in China. The people of China have been led by the government to discount the reality and presence of God but faith and belief in Jesus Christ are growing at an inspiring rate. Men and women are dedicating their lives to sharing the gospel with unbelievers, even if it places their lives and security in peril. Over and over, the testimonies and witness to God's redemptive work were relayed to me and I saw the lives changed by the power of Christ.

As I left China, I was tired beyond description but I was challenged as well. God placed in my heart a desire and passion to see the gospel thrive in China and continue to transform millions of lives. Also, and maybe more importantly, I felt God showing me how much more faithful and obedient the church in our country can be. What would our community and neighborhoods look like if we lived our faith as sacrificially and dedicated as those I saw in China?