Late-night heart-to-hearts

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(Top to Bottom): Several Chinese restaurant workers at this 2007 Christmas Eve party made decisions for Christ; Ywe Ching Li is baptized (Pastor Van Valin is on the right); University of Indianapolis Chinese students take a hayride.

Estimates put the current number of Chinese restaurants in America at 45,000 — that’s more than all the McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger Kings combined. The number of Chinese restaurant workers is astounding: between 500,000 and 600,000 — most of them completely unfamiliar with the gospel.

Aldersgate FMC (Indianapolis, IN) intends to put an ever-broader dent in those numbers.

It all began with a relationship between Pastor John Van Valin and the owner of a Chinese restaurant near the church. Soon he and several others were hosted by John and Ann Van Valin in their home from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Since most Chinese restaurant owners and employees work 10-12 hours a day nearly every day of the year, a church that seeks to engage them must be willing to accommodate their late-night availability. Aldersgate is eager to do so and the ministry has blossomed to include Chinese restaurants city-wide and beyond.

The congregation began to pray for Chinese-speaking leadership. Enter Michael and Maggie Li from Taiwan. The young couple arrived in July, a move made possible by the Lord’s incredible provision through His people.

The Lis have established relationships with 80 students at the University of Indiana, but their main focus has been the restaurant workers: five were baptized in November, three joined the church in December. Others are preparing for baptism and membership.

On New Year’s Eve, the church welcomed 35-40 restaurant workers and their friends to a late-night gathering. They showed a claymation nativity story (in Mandarin) — a number of the guests received Christ.

Pastor Michael and Maggie Li

Esther Lee, a California-based evangelist to the Chinese community worldwide, was invited to speak. A great outpouring of the Spirit ensued and 18-20 desired salvation.

“We’ve seen so many instances of answered prayer in this outreach,” says Van Valin, who adds that this particular subculture has been untouched by American evangelicals. “No other congregation is doing what we are,” he says. “Most can’t finance a leadership couple like the Lis, or can’t [won’t?] deal with people who can’t come to church on Sunday mornings.

“This is not a project,” he adds. “We give praise to God for what’s happening. We love these people whether they say yes or no to Jesus. They know we would give our lives for them.

“Ann [who heads International ChildCare Ministries] and I are committed to this ministry for the rest of our lives,” Van Valin explains. “We continue to rely on God’s grace and strength.”