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Back to Jerusalem: Three Chinese House Church Leaders Share Their Vision to Complete the Great Commission
Napoleon once said "When China is moved it will change the face of the globe." Today those words are becoming a reality through the powerful spiritual vision of the Chinese church to send 100,000 missionaries across China's borders to complete the Great Commission, even in this generation. Here Brother Yun, Peter Xu Yongze, and Enoch Wang, three Chinese house church leaders who between them have spent more than 40 years in prison for their faith, explain the history and present-day reality of the Back to Jerusalem movement. Christians everywhere who are called to fulfill the Great Commission will be thrilled by this testimony and inspired to live bolder lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.
150 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
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283 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 28, 2015
I was inspired and convicted by this book. I am one of those comfortable western Christians who has no idea what it means to give up all and follow Christ. I am grateful for this book. It destroyed me in so many ways. A must read.
November 26, 2023
Perhaps one of the most influential books I've read. If you're wavering or facing anxieties, the testimony of the Chinese church will encourage you to run the race with joy.
November 15, 2010
This book was hard to put down. It was a Chinese version of a command to do missions. Among the many quotes are "History shows that when people become isolated and inbred they get genetic defects and grow weak. The same applies to the Church". "When we serve God it's important to concentrate on His character and our obedience to His leading." "When you seek to bring blessings to others, your own lives will be blessed" "The Christian life is one of action for Jesus, not inaction" "There are more than enough Christian 'believers' in the world today. God wants more disciples." The Dead Sea has 153 sources of fresh water flowing into it but no water flowing out.
March 19, 2009
i picked up this book right after my brother returned from his missions trip in China back in summer of '07. the testimonies contained in this book left me mournful yet uplifted. it has allowed me to reflect back on my lack of spiritual life. this book has also reaffirmed the truth in the book of Revelations for me.
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March 7, 2026For personal reference
Review-Back To Jerusalem
The Chinese church never stops amazing me. It is clear that God has poured out his Spirit on the nation of China, and they set the model of what all churches should look like. If only the Western church caught the same vision to complete the great commission that China has, there is a likely hood it would have already been done. However, there is a reason that it hasn’t, or is there?
I never realized before about how the gospel started in Jerusalem and then carried west all the way around the world. It makes sense now that the gospel would continue to the middle east to finish the wave. The Chinese are passionate about the completion of the great commission, and the call has been put on there church for the last 65 years. They are willing to do it no matter what the cost.
Below are listed some of the highlights for me from the book
“They (missionaries) don’t need to come from wealthy countries, nor do they need to have graduated from a Bible school or seminary. A missionary only needs to be someone who loves the Lord Jesus and has a passion to reach the lost world for him.” (Pg132)
“Whenever people proclaim a vision from the Lord, there is opposition and jealousy.” (pg 134)
“It always pays to do what the Lord tells us to do. Don’t argue, don’t fight it, and don’t try to work out all the details with your mind. That is one make of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.” (Pg 142)
“The world can do nothing to someone who has no fear of other people.” (Pg 145)
“Our goal is nothing less than the completion of the Great Commission so that the Lord Jesus Christ will return fro his bride, to bring all of human history to the moment in Scripture where voices are heard in heaven, proclaiming, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever’ (Revelation 11:15)”
“Western Christians often ask us why there is persecution in China and other countries and not in the West. There are several possible responses to this question, but we would like to start by asking in return: ‘do you boldly preach the truth of God’s word to sinners inside and outside your churches?’ If you do, you will soon find out that there is persecution wherever you are.” (Pg 121)
“we have several key principles that we believe God has taught us and which we plan to take into the mission field. For example, we refuse to be drawn into the spirit of denominationalism in any way. We are going to preach the gospel and see sinners come to the feet of Jesus and experience the new life that he won for them on the cross…we are also not interested in erecting any church buildings. Why need Jesus, and they need to worship and grow in God’s grace with other believers within their own homes, according to the pattern of the first church in the New Testament (Acts 5:42, 20:20, Romans 16:5).” (Pg. 129).
“This is surely the time to complete the Great Commission that God gave his followers two thousand years ago. If God had only wanted to save us, he would take us to heaven the moment we believed in him. Instead, he leaves his unworthy children on this earth for a reason, to proclaim the good new to all the nations of the world that Jesus is alive and has come to set the captives free! Let’s devote all our heart, time and energy to his purpose. Let Back to Jerusalem become the reason we live.” (Pg 81).
Reasons for the strength for the Chinese church:
House churches are…
1. Indigenous
2. Rooted in family units
3. Striped of nonessentials
4. Emphasize the Lordship of Christ
5. Confidence in sovereignty of God
6. Love the word of God
7. Praying churches
8. Caring and sharing churches
9. Depend on lay leadership
10. Purified by suffering
11. Zealous in evangelism
(pg 18-19).
Review-Back To Jerusalem
The Chinese church never stops amazing me. It is clear that God has poured out his Spirit on the nation of China, and they set the model of what all churches should look like. If only the Western church caught the same vision to complete the great commission that China has, there is a likely hood it would have already been done. However, there is a reason that it hasn’t, or is there?
I never realized before about how the gospel started in Jerusalem and then carried west all the way around the world. It makes sense now that the gospel would continue to the middle east to finish the wave. The Chinese are passionate about the completion of the great commission, and the call has been put on there church for the last 65 years. They are willing to do it no matter what the cost.
Below are listed some of the highlights for me from the book
“They (missionaries) don’t need to come from wealthy countries, nor do they need to have graduated from a Bible school or seminary. A missionary only needs to be someone who loves the Lord Jesus and has a passion to reach the lost world for him.” (Pg132)
“Whenever people proclaim a vision from the Lord, there is opposition and jealousy.” (pg 134)
“It always pays to do what the Lord tells us to do. Don’t argue, don’t fight it, and don’t try to work out all the details with your mind. That is one make of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.” (Pg 142)
“The world can do nothing to someone who has no fear of other people.” (Pg 145)
“Our goal is nothing less than the completion of the Great Commission so that the Lord Jesus Christ will return fro his bride, to bring all of human history to the moment in Scripture where voices are heard in heaven, proclaiming, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever’ (Revelation 11:15)”
“Western Christians often ask us why there is persecution in China and other countries and not in the West. There are several possible responses to this question, but we would like to start by asking in return: ‘do you boldly preach the truth of God’s word to sinners inside and outside your churches?’ If you do, you will soon find out that there is persecution wherever you are.” (Pg 121)
“we have several key principles that we believe God has taught us and which we plan to take into the mission field. For example, we refuse to be drawn into the spirit of denominationalism in any way. We are going to preach the gospel and see sinners come to the feet of Jesus and experience the new life that he won for them on the cross…we are also not interested in erecting any church buildings. Why need Jesus, and they need to worship and grow in God’s grace with other believers within their own homes, according to the pattern of the first church in the New Testament (Acts 5:42, 20:20, Romans 16:5).” (Pg. 129).
“This is surely the time to complete the Great Commission that God gave his followers two thousand years ago. If God had only wanted to save us, he would take us to heaven the moment we believed in him. Instead, he leaves his unworthy children on this earth for a reason, to proclaim the good new to all the nations of the world that Jesus is alive and has come to set the captives free! Let’s devote all our heart, time and energy to his purpose. Let Back to Jerusalem become the reason we live.” (Pg 81).
Reasons for the strength for the Chinese church:
House churches are…
1. Indigenous
2. Rooted in family units
3. Striped of nonessentials
4. Emphasize the Lordship of Christ
5. Confidence in sovereignty of God
6. Love the word of God
7. Praying churches
8. Caring and sharing churches
9. Depend on lay leadership
10. Purified by suffering
11. Zealous in evangelism
(pg 18-19).
January 12, 2019
This read will go down in history as the most transformative one for me in December 2019! This book is the amazing story of what God is doing in the hearts of believers in China--though it really shouldn't be amazing because it is what God has been doing in the hearts of true believers throughout history. But this book really helped me see the stagnant state of my own heart! This is one of those books I had dreams about during the time I was reading it. I pray that I would allow God to work the changes He desires in my heart. And I also pray for the house church in China and the unreached people they are focusing on reaching out to. May God give them the courage they need in the face of incredible opposition!
March 29, 2020
Amazing, inspiring, convicting book.
Mainly firsthand accounts told by 3 different house church leaders in the 1900s in China. Highlights include details on the first missionaries sent from China pre-communism, a behind the scenes look at the re-unification of the house church congregations, and numerous stories of the faithfulness of God in the midst of sad and painful persecution.
If you are interested in missions, China, the Great Commission, unreached people groups, the 10/40 window, or the Kunming circle I think you will be glad to read this book. Or if you like stories of faithful Christians in history you will probably find the stories nestled in this little book helping to fan your own flame, as they did for me.
If you do read it, I’d love to hear from you and your takeaways!
Mainly firsthand accounts told by 3 different house church leaders in the 1900s in China. Highlights include details on the first missionaries sent from China pre-communism, a behind the scenes look at the re-unification of the house church congregations, and numerous stories of the faithfulness of God in the midst of sad and painful persecution.
If you are interested in missions, China, the Great Commission, unreached people groups, the 10/40 window, or the Kunming circle I think you will be glad to read this book. Or if you like stories of faithful Christians in history you will probably find the stories nestled in this little book helping to fan your own flame, as they did for me.
If you do read it, I’d love to hear from you and your takeaways!
June 10, 2018
This was an interesting perspective from Chinese Christians. Yes, I can use those two words in the same sentence. There are many Christians living in China and trying to practice their religion. The government cracks down on Christianity but many are still defenders of the faith, even at the cost of persecution and long prison sentences. A couple interesting ideas from this book... the leaders of the congregations said they did not want issues with denomination power struggles. But without a clear focus and direction from a prophet how will they be united? I love the mission of BtJ to teach all about Christ, even going to neighboring countries because of difficulties in China. But I have to say that in order to establish trust with the Chinese government, the BtJ cause, and Christianity in general, needs to follow the laws of the land. With Jesus fanatics not being mindful of Chinese law is no way to build a relationship of trust and Christianity in China. Overall, I gave this book a five star because it was fascinating, and inspiring to me. For the most part, I highly support what they are doing.
February 12, 2023
Read this book in 1 day for a reading challenge. So encouraging to see strong, dedicated followers of Jesus on the other side of the world. Also a heart-piercing book challenging my own level of surrender to Jesus. Their zeal to finish fulfilling the Great Commission is inspiring.
October 15, 2018
This is interesting insight into the working of this movement.
May 25, 2020
There is so much we can learn from the church in Asia about what it means to follow Jesus
June 6, 2021
A Must read for Christians
Good narrative of the history of back to Jerusalem movement. Very powerful! Convicting, biblical and encouraging driving me to repentance
Good narrative of the history of back to Jerusalem movement. Very powerful! Convicting, biblical and encouraging driving me to repentance
April 10, 2025
3.5 stars [Missiology]
(W: 2.97, U: 3.75, T: 4.21)
Exact rating: 3.64
#4 of 22 in genre
(W: 2.97, U: 3.75, T: 4.21)
Exact rating: 3.64
#4 of 22 in genre
October 23, 2007
The stories in this book left me stunned, tearful and disturbed by the complacency of my own spiritual life. The book also introduced me to a missionary movement that I previously knew nothing about.
December 31, 2007
The Communists taking over actually helped pave the way for the spread of Christianity. It forced them to have one major language instead of many different dialects, developed a better road system, and other things that helped spread Christianity. Many more interesting facts.
May 30, 2008
I did not like this book because I found it completely repetitive to The Heavenly Man, which was far more interesting a story. This book provided the same information without the storyline to keep me interested.
May 31, 2011
A great read about the Chinese church's vision to carry to gospel to the remaining unreached people groups around the world. I'd recommend this book to people to encourage them to trust God for big things and that we could possibly see the Great Commission fulfilled in our lifetime.
November 17, 2011
Stories from the underground church in China. There are lots of charismatic things in the book, including the claim that a person was raised from the dead at one of their meetings. Regardless, their zeal for Christ and missions is encouraging and contagious.
May 8, 2013
Should be required reading for every person who names the name of Christ.
June 11, 2013
Amazing things are happening as God's Spirit is moving God's people. A key piece to what God is doing today.
February 12, 2022
May God awaken the sleeping church to fulfill our worldwide vision!! Praise God for the many faithful Chinese believers willing to give up everything for the sake of the gospel.
April 6, 2017
This book was super motivating and encouraging. I especially enjoyed the testimonies of Chinese Christians. However, I have 2 criticisms. One is that I think the author is too far to one extreme of the pendulum in some cases. For example, I think it is right and good for a pastor to care for the sheep's problems in his church. This book leads me to believe that the health of a pastor's church should come secondary to that of evangelism and "fishing for souls." As in most of life, there needs to be balance. The second critique I have is the improper interpretation of a few of the Scripture verses. Apart from those things, I loved this book. It encouraged me to embrace suffering for Jesus. It moved my heart for prayer. It compelled me to trust and rely on Jesus more. Great book.
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May 28, 2017The passion of the Chinese church to spread the gospel of Jesus from China all the way back to Jerusalem is the theme of this book. It is a christian book that clearly illustrates the many trials and tribulations of many men and women who were impassioned and convicted by the Almighty God, and commissioned to take the gospel of the saviour Jesus Christ to the heathen people, at great costs which were often their lives.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews