Scripture:
1 Corinthians 2:1-4
Reflection:
The charismatic movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s brought renewal to the church. New denominations sprung up, but it also spread through older denominations, bringing much blessing and renewed unity. Local churches have been affected to a greater or lesser degree, and it’s fair to say that it has also, at times, created controversy.
Associated with the charismatic movement is speaking in tongues, and a recovery of other supernatural spiritual gifts. It also led to freer individual and collective worship, with music, dance, and other arts. Many have been baptised in the Spirit in a very tangible way.
Jackie Pullinger was born in Croydon, a twin in a family of four daughters. Having graduated from the Royal School of Music aged 22, she applied to mission agencies, who told her either she was too young, or that they did not want musicians. However, she felt called by God into missionary work, sensing God has said to her, ‘Trust me, and I will lead you.’
She eventually took the advice of an Anglican minister who told her to buy a ticket for a boat going as far as she could get and to pray to know when to get off the boat. With a one-way ticket to China, she disembarked at Hong Kong in 1966, and found a part-time teaching job at a mission school in the Walled City, a six-acre area of Kowloon. The City had not been included in the 1898 treaty between China and Britain, and had become a lawless area. There was no proper sanitation system, and buildings were crowded on top of each other, with little light penetrating to the streets below. It was marked by poverty, drug addiction, triad gangs and prostitution.
Jackie also provided the music in the Sunday services, started a youth club, and did more and more, helping people find jobs, accompanying them to court and supporting their families. Her hope was that if she could walk the extra mile with people, she might be able to introduce them to Jesus. She was disappointed, however, at the lack of progress. People took no interest in Jesus, and many of the other missionaries on Kowloon Island had no expectation of bringing anyone to Christ.
She prayed: "Dear Lord, please give me whatever it is that helps me make Jesus real to the lost. Because the words don't seem to be working." This led to her receiving a baptism of the Holy Spirit, which was evidenced in her by speaking in tongues. She said that there was nothing emotional about it, and it was some six weeks before she began to see remarkable things happening, when young people began to come to Christ. However, some of the church congregations began to object to these ‘unkempt’ youngsters in church, so Jackie began her own service. They met in a room called ‘The Well’, which was to be the base for her ministry. She also focussed her time on the Triad gangs who controlled life in the Walled City. Formerly secret societies formed in the 17th century, they had become criminal enterprises controlling gambling and the opium dens.
After her youth club was vandalised, one triad leader posted a ‘fixer’ called Winsom to protect it. At first disinterested, over time he heard the talks she gave in the club, and eventually declared himself for Christ. He, too, was baptised in the Spirit and spoke in tongues. Immediately, his opium addiction was gone - the first addict whom Jackie saw freed by God's power. Several other gang members were converted and, eventually, the gang leader himself.
Jackie’s work took her to all people in the City – the poor, homeless, prostitutes, most of whom were also drug addicts. She led many to Christ, and she wanted to provide a home and family environment for them. Unable to accommodate any more in her flat, and needing somewhere where she could escape and rest, she set up the Society of St. Stephen and opened three homes for boys. Other staff and volunteer workers came along side to support the work.
In the early 1980’s she was loaned the use of a temporary housing area of fourteen long, tin huts, which she renovated and used for housing ex-addicts and poor people from the City. She also began working in Tuen Mun refugee camp, among thousands who had fled from fighting in Vietnam.
Jackie was always amazed at how God provided the finances for the work, with gifts increasing as her work increased. As she was being asked one day, ‘Where does your money come from?’, there was a knock on the door and an envelope arrived containing one hundred dollars.
Jackie’s work continued in the Walled City until it was demolished in 1993-4. And the area turned into a park. Those evicted were rehoused or given financial help. Jackie’s work, however, continued as she travelled the world giving her testimony. Many of those she had helped rescue went on to expand the work amongst drug addicts in other places around the world.
Prayer:
A prayer based on the words of Jackie Pullinger:
Lord, the trouble with so many of us is that we have hard hearts and soft feet. Give us soft hearts and hard feet. AMEN
Songs:
The Walled City of Kowloon Beauty for brokenness – Graham Kendrick
Hear the call of the kingdom – Getty’s
Food for Thought:
Jackie Pullinger said: 'We're going to feel stupid for eternity if we waste this life.' How does that challenge you?
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