Hiding the Light in the Dark: How the Underground Church Inspires Us to Live the Mission

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Some stories are so wild they sound like scenes pulled from a spy movie… except they're real, they're happening right now, and they are shaping the future of the global Church.

On our recent Missional Life Podcast episode, Eugene Bach shared how believers in China, North Korea, Afghanistan, and other closed nations are finding ways to carry God’s Word into the darkest spiritual environments on earth. But what moved me most wasn’t the technology—though pill-sized hologram Bibles and hidden gospel apps still blow my mind—it was the unshakeable hunger for God behind it all.

These men and women are living missional lives not because it’s trendy, but because it’s necessary for survival. Faith costs them something—and yet they choose it daily.

Eugene told us that an estimated 28,000–30,000 people come to Christ in China every single day, with 140–170 million believers meeting quietly in houses, factories, and businesses as cameras track their every move . And what struck me deeply is that the gospel isn't slowing down because of persecution—it’s accelerating.

The Gospel Can’t Be Stopped—But It Must Be Spoken

One of Eugene’s most powerful statements was this:

“The enemy’s first move in every nation is to restrict freedom of speech… because the Word must go forth.” 

Truth always threatens darkness. Lies don’t fear truth—silence fears truth. The Great Commission begins with speaking, with declaring, with going. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15), not whisper it safely within our comfort zones.

Chinese believers understand this. In places where every message is monitored, every movement traced, every Bible illegal, they still find ways to speak. And when speaking becomes dangerous, they find ways to hide the Word—inside apps, inside devices, inside their very hearts.

A Missional Life Is a Connected Life

Something else Eugene shared surprised me: the underground church doesn’t divide life into categories the way we often do in the West. Faith isn’t its own box. Ministry isn’t its own schedule. Everything overlaps—family, work, worship, community.They meet in office cubicles, factories, even breweries repurposed as Bible schools. In one factory, the production floor is above and below, and a hidden Bible training center sits sandwiched between them, unseen but unstoppable .

It convicted me. How often do we compartmentalize our faith?• “This is work-me.”• “This is Sunday-me.”• “This is real-me.”

But a missional life is a woven life—faith stitched through every thread.

Colossians 3:17 reminds us, “Whatever you do… do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.”Wherever you walk, whatever you touch, whoever you speak to—mission is already there.

You Can’t Delegate Obedience

Eugene shared a line that has echoed in my heart since the moment he said it:

“When it comes to the Great Commission, you have three choices: go, send, or disobey.”

In other words—you’re called. Yes, you. Not just pastors. Not just missionaries. Not just those with passports full of stamps and backpacks full of Bibles.

Your missional calling may look different.But it still looks like obedience.

Questions to Pray About This Week

1. Lord, where am I staying silent when You’ve asked me to speak?

2. How can I weave my faith more naturally into my everyday life?

3. Am I called in this season to go, to send, or to support?

4. Where have I compartmentalized my calling instead of living the mission?

Action Steps for a Missional Life

• Pray daily for persecuted believers. Set an alarm. Make it a rhythm.

• Practice courageous speech. Reflect Christ even when treated unfairly.

• Choose your role in the Great Commission this month. One step—just start.

• Treasure Scripture again. Let their desperation remind you of its worth.

As Eugene reminded us, revival isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we live into. And right now, in hidden rooms and dimly lit factories, our Chinese brothers and sisters are showing us what it truly means to live the mission.