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. 16H AGO

    Tibet on Two Wheels: No Lights + Flat Tire + Below Zero (w/ Jack in South Africa)

    This week I had a conversation with an old buddy of mine from South Africa who nearly died (froze to death) with me 20 years ago this week. We talked through what happened, recounting the difficulties, but glorifying God for his providence.   Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day.  Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!   The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip) The Memoirs of William Milne: First Protestant Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us)   A Mission in the Mountains of Tibet (Mar 28, 2006) https://chinacall.substack.com/p/into-hidden-valleys Runaway Van in Tibet @ 14,700 Feet (Dec 29, 2010) https://www.patreon.com/posts/146773358 This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-apr-5-11-2026   Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

    58 min

  2. 3D AGO

    A Reminder to Remember Kidnapped Pilot Kevin Rideout + The Savior’s Thirst│Prison Pulpit #76

    I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, at home in Malaysia. 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 are some free PDF books from Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/)   Nigeria Back in the News (Church Attacks) https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/Palm-Sunday-Attack-Shakes-Nigerian-Community/ Kidnapped Pilot in Niger Still Missing (Kevin Rideout) https://www.christianpost.com/news/kidnapped-missionary-kevin-rideout-remains-missing.html   The Savior’s Thirst + A Reminder to Remember Kidnapped Kevin Rideout https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-saviors-thirst   How to Give? MCI3.org  We have a major project this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church. $50k need!   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”!

    30 min

  3. MAR 28

    Is Your Password Safe in Hong Kong? │China's "Superpower" Bid Lacks Two Things │That One Time I Got Caught Smuggling

    After a few personal updates from these past couple of days since returning to Malaysia, I begin by talking about the new Hong Kong security law that empowers gov’t to search phones and other devices, and why this isn’t quite the big deal as some want to make it seem. Also, I talk about Canada’s search of my phone. (7:54). Next, we take a few minutes for a fascinating look at global gasoline prices (22:05). Then, we look at the REALITY of China’s energy consumption (Hint: its not as Green as it seems)(26:50). Another well-written article from India provides a helpful take on the two things China lacks as it attempts to grow into a world superpower (32:19). Next to last, we work through an eye-opening take by a Chinese writer for a Japanese newspaper, comparing China’s current economic state to Japan’s back before the real-estate bubble burst 30+ years ago (38:50). Last but not least, while looking briefly at this week’s Pray for China cities, I tell the story of the one and only time I was caught red-handed smuggling Christian literature from Hong Kong into China (47:04).    Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day.  Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!   The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)   China may have all the attributes of a superpower—but it lacks two things https://www.theweek.in/columns/prasannan/2026/03/21/china-a-sleeping-kumbhakarna.html China’s housing crisis is worse than it seems https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/07/06/world/chinas-housing-crisis-is-worse-than-it-seems/   Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-29-apr-4-2026   Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

    1 hr

  4. MAR 25

    A Pastor’s Prison Birthday (+ Covert Birthdays Under Communism) │Prison Pulpit #75

    I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, finally back home with my family in Malaysia. 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.    Richard Wurmbrand’s birthday was yesterday, March 24th (1909).  Today we will look at some of his “birthday writings” from prison… Richard Wurmbrand Remembers Birthdays in Communist Romania https://chinacall.substack.com/p/a-pastors-prison-birthday And find out more about Michael Wurmbrand’s ongoing ministry (and free books!)... https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/   How to Give? MCI3.org ($50k need!) We have a major project later this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church.    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”!

    28 min

  5. MAR 21

    Dispatches from Calcutta + Rocket Man's "Election" + India's Complex Affairs with China & Tibet

    Today’s podcast begins back home in Malaysia, then picks up in Calcutta (3:58), followed by dispatches from both Agartala (12:22) and later Siliguri. After making fun of North Korea and China’s national “elections” (15:50), we take a deeper look at China and India’s relationship (25:52), followed by China’s efforts to (literally) silence the languages of the minorities in China (43:51). Lastly, our brief look at this week’s Pray for China cities happens to include (without prior planning) a call to pray for Tibet (55:17). Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day.  Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!   The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)   Who Won North Korea’s Recent “Elections”?  https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/kim-jong-un-wins-99-93-votes-in-north-korea-parliamentary-elections-remaining-0-07-went-to-11236508 China’s dispute with India over Arunachal Pradesh https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-s-dispute-india-over-arunachal-pradesh Tibet in India’s China Calculus https://www.orfonline.org/research/tibet-in-india-s-china-calculus China’s new language law could prove fatal for minority tongues https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-putonghua-china-common-language-law/ China Requires Minorities to Learn Mandarin https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9meeek051o   Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-22-28-2026 Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

    1 hr

  6. MAR 18

    Three Days in Dhaka: Praying for the "Most Crowded" Nation on Earth (Bangladesh)│Prison Pulpit #74

    I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, recording today in downtown Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh. 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: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported 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.    Thoughts on Bangladesh and How to Pray… When I first started learning about Bangladesh in 2002, there were only about 130+ million people. Today that number is closer to 180! Let me help you with an example of just how crowded it is… similar in size to Georgia, Iowa, and Alabama, but with 15 or 25x more people!s **Bangladesh is the most densely populated sovereign nation larger than 1,000 square miles** - It has a population density of roughly 3,538 per sq. mile (1400/km)! - Virtually all higher-density entries are tiny city-states, territories, or micro-nations far below 1,000 square miles, including:  Macau (~33 km², ~22,000/km²), Monaco (~2 km², ~19,000/km²),  Singapore (~710 km², ~8,225/km²), and Hong Kong (~1,100 km², ~7,000/km²).  - Among sovereign countries (or comparable large entities) exceeding the size threshold, no other nation surpasses Bangladesh. Next in line for larger countries include places like Taiwan (~636/km²), the Netherlands (~548/km²), and South Korea (~529/km²).  Islam growing faster than anything else Christians converted from Islam are growing, but still a tiny minority (200k) Pray for more laborers, open doors, boldness, and protection from the evil one As always, put yourself “in their shoes” as you pray…   How to Give? MCI3.org ($50k need!) We have a major project later this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church.    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”!

    24 min

  7. MAR 14

    “Rocket Man” Strikes Again: Why Doesn’t China Remove North Korea’s Dictator? (From Hyderabad, India)

    This week we start by looking at Rocket Man’s latest missile launch, and why China lets him stay around, followed by more thoughts on China and Iran, and then China’s attempts to hack Starlink. Lastly, this week’s Pray for China cities includes a ton of stories and memories. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day.  Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us!   The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)   North Korea Launches Missiles Towards Japan https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/10-launches-raise-alarm-all-about-north-korea-ballistic-missile-firings-towards-the-sea-of-japan-101773476107021.html Xi Torn Between Iran and US https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/china-up-close/analysis-xi-torn-between-long-ties-with-khameneis-and-us-relations Starlink Creates Hurdles In China’s Plans to Someday Overwhelm Taiwan https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/starlinks-role-in-ukraine-war-set-the-chinese-thinking-about-hurdles-to-its-possible-seizure-of   Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-15-21-2026 Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

    55 min

  8. MAR 11

    Pray for Chinese Christians in EXILE + Chinese Missionaries ABROAD│Prison Pulpit #73

    I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day of the week. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Visit PrayGiveGo.us for Patreon, Substack, Books & everything else!    The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us) The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated & Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip)   Why the Prison Pulpit? 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 arest 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.    Let me recommend a little book (Return of the Raider/The Amazing Story of Sergeant Jacob Deshazer), that I was tempted to cover in a full Prison Pulpit episode: https://jacobdeshazer.com/return-of-the-raider   The Middle East continues to be in the spotlight this week. There is obviously much we do know to pray for, but I want to remind you that there is also so much we DO NOT KNOW. For instance, Iran’s regime-induced internet blackout keeps us from hearing much at all from the majority of Iranians who are cheering on the potential fall of the Islamic regime. Let’s not forget them. My guess is if communication were functioning normally, we’d be inundated with positive messages from within Iran. One report I saw estimated that in Iran it's more like 95% against the Ayatollahs and 5% for. But we really just don’t know.   Finally, we come to our topic of the day, Chinese Christians in Exile and Serving Abroad… I have to be careful here. I simply cannot give up too much info about the folks I’m going to mention, so bear with me as I search for the right words… - Chinese missionaries are being sent to most of western China, almost all of Asia (sans India), and much of the Middle East, and they “fit in” much better than Westerners in many of these places - They are being trained in much the same way Western missionaries are trained to work cross-culturally, not in a matter of days, but years, in strategic places both inside and outside of China - Some of them struggle to leave China (passports confiscated), but others cannot return, as they will be arrested upon arrival with their passports confiscated for the foreseeable future - We have a major project later this year to help the missionary arm of the Chinese Underground Church Strategic Opportunity to Give: MCI3.org ($50,000 need!)   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”!

    26 min
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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
    186
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    China Compass