Palm Sunday is the day that followers of Jesus remember and celebrate his sacrificial love, shown as he triumphantly entered Jerusalem on a carpet of palm branches and clothing. The day of his entry started the events of Holy Week, in which he taught daily in the Temple courtyard, was confronted and challenged by some because of his teachings, and celebrated a Last Supper with his disciples before he was betrayed, arrested, tried and sentenced to die on the cross of Calvary for our sins.

As Jesus traveled down the hillside of Mount Olivet towards Jerusalem that day, he reminded the crowds around him that if his followers did not lift praise to him, the very stones themselves would cry in witness to him. In other words, it is our privilege and joy to share the story of Jesus' amazing love and grace with a world that desperately needs to hear it.

Come and join us at Sugar Land First United Methodist this Sunday as we travel along the route with Jesus and into the world with his love.

Hello from China! We arrived safely in Beijing, a world class city that is growing at a phenomenal rate. The people are friendly and lively. Our delightful traveling companions, a group from Alabama and Indiana, are as eager and enthusiastic as we are to learn about the history, land and culture of China.

We have been introduced to the ministry in China and what God is doing. The mission field is large and workers are ready to share their love and compassion with others. It is very encouraging. To read more about our mission partners, Dr. Jack and Celesta Rea, click here.

Our tour of the Forbidden City revealed the rich heritage of this country and today we are off to the Great Wall. Keep us in your prayers.

In just a few short days, I will be traveling to China with Dr. Jack Rea, the missionary in Hong Kong that our church supports. Dr. Rea spoke to the 10:10 Bible Study and Fellowship classes early in October during our "Across the Street, Across the Sea" emphasis. Ever year, he leads a group or two across mainland China to see the sights and to witness the explosive growth and development of the country's economy that we hear so much about. While we travel as tourists, we will be visited by residents of China that have become Christian and are part of the expanding "house church movement" and we will hear their stories and testimonies of God's work in China which apparently is even more dramatic and impressive than the government's.

God is moving in China. It is estimated that between 10,000 to 30,000 Chinese are confessing faith in Jesus as Savior daily! It seems that many "mom and pop" stories are starting that cater to the needs of the millions of factory workers in the heavy industrial areas and also become the mission outposts to spread the good news of Jesus to the workers who are hungry for hope and wholeness in their lives. We all know how a country cannot maintain atheism as official doctrine. People are created to be in a relationship with the living God and respond willingly and faithfully when presented with the truth and the rapid evangelism of China is demonstrating the power of God in people's lives.

As I pack for this trip, my prayer is that God will show me where we, as a strong and vibrant community of faith with a heart to reach others with the love of Christ, can be used to help God touch hearts and transform lives. I have said countless times that the church of Christ is the hope of the world. Analysts, politicians and economists all tell us that China is emerging into a world power. If that is true, then God must be pleased whenever his church becomes involved in such a critical and transitional moment in history. Just imagine what the world could look like for the coming generations if China is evangelized! What a change that would be.