Kung fu Kwan
Kung fu master, Kwan, is living proof that almost any skill can be used in cross-cultural mission.

South Asia

Photo credit: H Gomez Herrero

Not long after he became a Christian, God put a burden on Kwan’s heart for a particular Muslim country. There was just one problem.  It was impossible for Kwan to move to that country as a ‘traditional’ missionary.

“With the blessing of my church, I decided to apply to study a language course there, to get to know the culture and to see what other opportunities might open up.  I had already qualified as a kung fu master in my own country.  One day, a classmate asked me to teach him kung fu.  Before long, he was coming to my house for lessons every day.”

That front-room class eventually grew into a kung fu club, which Kwan now runs as a business in the same city.

“At first, I worked in a freelance way, sometimes teaching language classes and sometimes teaching kung fu, in various locations around the city.  Last year, I started renting a shop in one of the city’s commercial areas.  It’s great to have a base for people to come to.  So far I have about 20 students, divided into different classes.  Most of the students are Muslim young men – I work them hard, but they seem to enjoy it because many of them come for classes five times a week!"

“After a tough class, we often sit round together resting and chatting about life.  This is a very religious society, so the topic of faith often comes up, and I am sometimes asked for my perspective.  The culture here means that it’s very rare for someone express interest in the gospel in front of others, but on occasion one or two of the lads will come and talk to me privately and that gives a chance for us to discuss things more openly."

“I had one student who kept missing class, which was getting a little frustrating.  When I asked him why he had so many absences, he explained that he had to go to the madrassah (religious school) to learn about his religion.  He told me that this counted as one of the good deeds that would help him to go to paradise."

“I shared with him what I believe about how to get to paradise, how we can’t get there on our own, how Jesus himself has made a way.  I’m still not sure what impact that conversation had, but since then he’s been attending regularly!”

Kwan feels like he is still in the early stages of building his business and building relationships.  “So far the club’s income doesn’t cover my expenses, and I haven’t seen anyone come to know the Lord.  But I’m hopeful that as time goes on and business opportunities continue to grow, God will use my little kung fu club for his glory.”

• Please pray for Kwan and his wife as they minister in a difficult environment.
• Pray that the Lord will continue to send young people to Kwan’s classes, and provide opportunities for him to share the gospel.
• Please pray that God will raise up more workers willing and able to combine business and mission among the world’s least-reached communities.