The Rushing on of the Purposes of God

This sweeping survey is the first complete account of nearly 150 years of Protestant missions in Shanxi Province, China. Beginning with the arrival of the Protestant missionaries during the 1878 North China Famine and the fiery test of the 1900 Boxer Uprising and subsequent martyrdom of hundreds of Shanxi Christians, this important book brings together the historical accounts of the spread of Christianity in the province all the way up to the present. From the personal papers and contemporary records of the missionaries, Kaiser draws a vivid picture of the women and men who devoted their lives to advancing the cause of the gospel in Shanxi. He weaves the stories of bold local Christians like Pastor Hsi and such notable missionaries as Gladys Aylward, Timothy Richard, Hudson Taylor, and the Cambridge Seven into the broader tapestry of China missions, tracing the birth and development of a thriving and dynamic Shanxi church. Drawing on mission archives, academic studies, and firsthand knowledge, this fusion of scholarly inquiry with missionary biography aims to both inspire and inform, making the lessons of the missionary past available to a new generation of readers. ""This book is not just an outstanding achievement in the study of the regional history of Christianity in China but also a significant contribution to our understanding of national dynamics of Christianity in modern China. Its combination of historical narrative and theological concern makes it a great reading for a wide range of readership."" --Kevin Xiyi Yao, ThD, Associate Professor of World Christianity and Asian Studies, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary ""The story of the early missionary work in the province of Shanxi, coupled with the emergence and subsequent growth of the indigenous church, is truly one of the most remarkable stories of God's 'Rushing Purposes' in China. Andrew Kaiser, like Joshua of old (Joshua 4), has erected a memorial pillar, calling upon us to remember God's amazing work through the indefatigable efforts of foreign missionaries and national Christians alike."" --James Hudson Taylor IV, OMF International, Chinese Ministries ""Andrew Kaiser has given us a study of modern Chinese Christian history in microcosm. I can think of no other book that surveys the Christian history of one Chinese province over such a long period and with impressive attention to recent scholarship.Missionaries such as Timothy Richard or Gladys Aylward, Chinese church leaders such as Gao Daling, the tumultuous Boxer Rising and the Cultural Revolution, and the recent growth of the church in Shanxi--all find their place in this fascinating volume."" --Brian Stanley, Professor of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh Andrew T. Kaiser received his PhD from the University of Edinburgh for his research on the Welsh Baptist missionary to China Timothy Richard. He and his family have been living in Shanxi since 1997, serving the people of the province through professional work and public benefit projects.