The New York Times ran an article about Chinese immigrants in the United States who meet by phone at night for worship and fellowship. More than one hundred people call each night to the Church of Grace in Manhattan's Chinatown, where the pastor leads them in hymn singing and Bible study.

The immigrants are spread out around the United States, working "bone-wearying 12-hour shifts as stir-fry cooks, dishwashers, deliverymen and waiters at Chinese restaurants, buffets, and takeout places." Not speaking English, they are isolated and lonely.

Using their cell phones they "sing praises to God over the phone and study … the Bible together." The far-flung restaurant workers "have come to form a virtual church on Monday through Thursday nights, deriving spiritual sustenance and companionship."

"It's like there's a giant net, connecting people from all different places together,” said Mr. Chen, speaking in Mandarin. He said that the "Bible study offered him a lifeline, a rare chance to escape. For us brothers and sisters who are out of state,” he said, “the Bible study over the phone is central to our lives." Sometimes Bible study participants ask questions. Sometimes they share news about their lives and pray for each other. Though unable to see each other, they form a community as they listen and are heard.

The teacher, speaking about the disciples going from village to village with Jesus, tells the restaurant workers that they "could go from buffet house to buffet house, planting seeds of faith wherever they went." Grace flows to them and through them to the world.

Source:

Susan S. Phillips, “The Cultivated Life” (IVP Books, 2015), pgs. 28-29