China Compass

China Compass
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semiweekly

With more than two decades of experience in the Middle Kingdom, Ben tackles China’s toughest questions while telling captivating stories and challenging Christians to intercede for revival and reformation. Each weekend episode takes on Chinese current events with wisdom and a wealth of experience (ie, lots of stories), while the midweek podcast (aka, The Prison Pulpit) gives persecuted believers a voice, challenging Christians to pray for those in chains "as bound with them." (Heb. 13:3) Follow to stay informed on current events and evangelism efforts, missionary history, and the ongoing persecution of Christians in China.

  1. 1d ago

    Praying for Dingqing (Tibet) + Iranian Preachers Imprisoned│Prison Pulpit #92

    This week’s episode of the Prison Pulpit begins with a look at what has been going on with Iranian Christians for many years, followed by a look at the remaining five Chinese (and Tibetan) places to pray for this week. Finally, I talk about a strategic opportunity to “adopt” a Chinese pastor/missionary.  I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books… The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us) The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip)   Why the Prison Pulpit?  The goal is to remind people to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches: “Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them.” We’ve looked at Wang Yi and Early Rain Church’s writings in the aftermath of their arrest and attack in 2018, but I’ve also regularly turned to other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand, to give us a voice literally from prison. (Here you’ll find some free PDF books by Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/)   Iran Testimony https://notthebee.com/article/iran-jails-five-christians-for-distributing-bibles-baptizing-new-believers Pray for China Profiles (July 20-26), including TIBET on July 22 https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-july-20-26-2026   China Gathering Strategic project in 2026 to equip China's underground church. Adopt/Sponsor a Chinese Pastor/Evangelist for $1000!  How to Give? Contact me or donate at: MCI3.org    Follow China Compass Thank you for listening! Subscribe & leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! And don’t forget to visit PrayGiveGo.us for books + Heb. 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

  2. 6d ago

    MacArthur's Ten Errors on the Life of William Borden (+ The True Story of the Millionaire Missionary)

    Today's show is a flashback to nearly one year ago, in which I begin with a clip of John MacArthur accidentally sharing (10!) falsehoods about the millionaire missionary, William Borden, from a sermon back in 1988. Then, after explaining which details MacArthur got wrong, I give my broader reflections on the topic. Last, I include a talk on William Borden that I gave at the Collegiate Reformed Fellowship back in March of 2024 in Moscow, ID, telling the true story of the Millionaire Missionary, William Borden, along with my personal connection to his amazing story. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new Chinese city prayer profiles every single day, including amazing pics and links to more China resources.You can also also email me (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else at PrayGiveGo.us!   MacArthur Didn't Do His Homework https://chinacall.substack.com/p/macarthur-didnt-do-his-homework The True Story of the Millionaire Missionary (Borden of Yale) http://www.BordenofYale.com   Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.  Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us.  Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

  3. Jul 15

    Remembering MacArthur’s Shortest Exposition (On the Anniversary of His Passing)│Prison Pulpit #91

    I've got an extremely busy week down in Mobile, Alabama, and so I'm re-sharing the John MacArthur memorial podcast I did last July after he passed away. I begin with a few memories of running into MacArthur's writing and preaching, followed by a clip of what may have been his shortest exposition ever: Hebrews 13:3.  I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!   After John MacArthur passed away a year ago today, it dawned on me that there was an opportunity to honor him while mostly keeping to the topic of my mid-week podcast, the Prison Pulpit, reminding us to pray for the persecuted church. But before sharing the MacArthur preaching clip from 1973 on Hebrews 13:3, I briefly talk about the following topics… My first MacArthur memory: Scary Nursing Home Book Stand My best MacArthur memory: Titus exposition (via mp3) from Istanbul to Sophia, Bulgaria My only visit to Grace Community Church: Random Tuesday in 2012 My favorite MacArthur sermon: https://www.gty.org/sermons/GTY104/the-tale-of-two-sons My closest connection to John MacArthur: My late Uncle Jack   Read the written version of today’s podcast on my Substack:  https://chinacall.substack.com/p/macarthurs-shortest-exposition-ever   Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series?  To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as more prison stories and sermons from others like the late Richard Wurmbrand. Here’s my humble attempt at expositing Hebrews 13:3: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains   Follow China Compass Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

  4. Jul 11

    Pastor Dan On His Family's Unique Relationship to Hudson Taylor + More

    On this week’s China Compass podcast, I sit down with long-time friend, Pastor Dan, to discuss his family's rich Missionary Legacy in Asia (China + Malaysia), their relationship with Hudson Taylor, and much more... I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…   Recommended Resources: His Life For Mine: A Missionary’s Story (The Life and Legacy of Joy Bausum) https://a.co/d/gY0Huyp Hudson Taylor (and China's Open Century): If I Had a Thousand Lives (Book III) https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Hudson-Taylor-Chinas-Century/dp/0340323922/   PLEASE: Check out which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!  PLUS: Donate to help us fund a conference for underground Chinese Church leaders in Malaysia this fall, where Pastor Dan and I both will be teaching: MCI3.org (for security, nothing is mentioned on the site directly about the conference).    Mentioned on Today's Podcast + Previously on China Compass:  Guilin Mountain Chief: “I Don’t Want Your Jesus” https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/47 “I Don’t Want Your Jesus”: Evangelism in the Mysterious Mountains of Guilin https://chinacall.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-your-jesus   Follow China Compass Thank you for listening! Subscribe & leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! And don’t forget to visit PrayGiveGo.us for books + Heb. 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

  5. Jul 9

    The Day Joy Died: Pastor Dan on the Life and Legacy of His Missionary Daughter│Prison Pulpit #90

    On this week’s Prison Pulpit I talk to my good friend, Pastor Dan, about the death of his adult daughter on the mission field, and how to pray for others who go through similarly devastating circumstances.  I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…   Recommended Resources: His Life For Mine: A Missionary’s Story (The Life and Legacy of Joy Bausum) https://a.co/d/gY0Huyp Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary www.BordenofYale.com The Memoirs of William Milne (Foreword by Dan Bausum) https://a.co/d/bALLtAf   Follow China Compass Thank you for listening! Subscribe & leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! And don’t forget to visit PrayGiveGo.us for books + Heb. 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

  6. Jul 4

    On Eating Grubworms, Learning Mandarin, Chinese Reality TV Stardom, and Fleeing from the Tibetan Communist Police (A Chat with Brent from NSA)

    In honor of my good friend Brent P, who teaches rhetoric at New St. Andrews in Moscow, Idaho, and along with his lovely wife is expecting their first baby any day now, I am re-sharing this lightly edited episode (from 2024) in which we discussed a wide range of topics, including: Brent carrying the Chinese Olympic torch in 08! Learning from a North Korean classmate Eating "creature soup" and grubworms Our practical tips for learning Chinese What its like to be a "star" on Chinese TV How John Piper introduced Brent and I in 2012 Running from the police and delivering Bibles in Tibet Starring on Chinese TV to pay for NSA Graduate Degree Brent's book promoting Chinese classical Christian education Here are links to the John Piper sermon that God used to introduce Brent and I almost 15 years ago... https://chinacall.substack.com/p/my-burden-for-the-truly-unreached-fbc https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/holy-ambition   And here are various links to Brent's book on Chinese classical Christian education, "Redeeming the Six Arts", in both English and Chinese:   Roman Roads Press：https://romanroadspress.com/store/six-arts/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Redeeming-Six-Arts-Christian-Classical-ebook/dp/B0BXY45TSK/   中文（Chinese)：   恩道：https://ebook.endao.co/book-914# 微读：https://wdbook.com/dp/54502751633409?fbclid=IwAR2B082mM0lkt2_q_i1-ZR-G-P6Olb-XjO6Xkha27KZJfB_9jdsBIoq046E 亚马逊：https://www.amazon.com/%E6%95%91%E8%B5%8E%E5%85%AD%E8%89%BA-Redeeming-Six-Arts-Chinese/dp/1944482709/   You can follow me on Twitter, @chinaadventures, where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com… And if you want to learn more about our missions projects or get one of my books, visit PrayGiveGo.us.

  7. Jul 1

    How China Has Changed in the Last Five Years (+ Venezuela & India Updates)│Prison Pulpit #89

    This week’s episode of the Prison Pulpit begins with a few thoughts about the ongoing situation in Venezuela, as well as the lesser-known persecution in India, before taking a deeper look at the current situation for Christians in China, and how things have continued to worsen since around the time of the pandemic in 2020.   I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books…   How Has China (Fuyang, especially) Changed in the Past Five Years? https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2026/06/fuyang-with-god-in-the-storm/   Give to Upcoming Venezuela Outreach (also, India, China, Pakistan, etc) MCI3.org    Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China Unbeaten.vip   Follow China Compass Thank you for listening! Subscribe & leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! And don’t forget to visit PrayGiveGo.us for books + Heb. 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!

  8. Jun 27

    Learning to Fly in the Chinese Birdcage + Tibetan World Cup Experiences (Also: Venezuela Earthquake)

    I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, recording today from Lima, Peru… I’m in a bit of a hurry today, but wanted to touch on a few different things. First, I wanted to mention the tragic earthquake that happened in Venezuela the other day and what I know. Second, every time the World Cup rolls around I remember my first World Cup viewing experience, which took place 20 years ago in a little dodgy hotel in the Tibetan Outback (2006). I also remember the second most unique viewing experience, which was 8 years later, and also in the foothills of Tibet. (I also remember playing in our little Tibetan World Cup at 13,000 ft!) After the World Cup recollections, we look at a new article published by an old American friend who has decades of experience in China…. The Church in China: Learning to Fly in a Birdcage https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-church-in-china   Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post new China city prayer profiles every day. Email me anytime with notes, questions, or comments: chinacompass at privacyport dot com. Learn more about our ministry, including my missionary biographies, at PrayGiveGo.us!   The China Compass Podcast is brought to you by Pray for China (PrayforChina.us): If you want to join us all this week, here are all the Chinese cities to pray for...  Pray for China (6/29-7/5): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-june-29-july-5-2026   To Give towards our future outreach in Venezuela and China, visit: MCI3.org Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Luke 10, vs. 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

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About

With more than two decades of experience in the Middle Kingdom, Ben tackles China’s toughest questions while telling captivating stories and challenging Christians to intercede for revival and reformation. Each weekend episode takes on Chinese current events with wisdom and a wealth of experience (ie, lots of stories), while the midweek podcast (aka, The Prison Pulpit) gives persecuted believers a voice, challenging Christians to pray for those in chains "as bound with them." (Heb. 13:3) Follow to stay informed on current events and evangelism efforts, missionary history, and the ongoing persecution of Christians in China.

Information

  • Creator
    China Compass
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    China Compass

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