SHIFUS INTERNATIONAL (Shifus.org)
WHO ARE JOHN AND SHULAN ACHORD?
JOHN ACHORD is a retired pastor from Southern California. His passion has always been for those within the church to know Christ intimately, learn the Word thoroughly, and love others sacrificially. John holds a Bachelor in Christian Education, a Masters in Religious Studies and a Doctorate in Theology. He has over three decades of ministry experience as a Preacher / Teacher, Pastor of Youth and Worship, Bible Teacher, Missionary to China, and International Seminar Speaker. He currently trains pastors and church leaders throughout China and the U.S.
SHULAN ACHORD was born in China and speaks fluent Mandarin and English. She became an American citizen in 2014. She holds a Bachelors in Chinese Language and a Masters in Journalism. Shulan teaches an in depth, weekly online Bible study to over 300 Christians in China. She teaches some of the SHIFU’s seminars and translates for John when he teaches. She translates written materials into Mandarin for ministries such as Dynamic Church Planting International, Discipleship Journeys with Jesus, and others.
TOGETHER, John and Shulan have been referred to as ‘ministry chopsticks’ (doing together what they could never do individually). Not just husband and wife, John and Shulan are the best of friends and enjoy every minute they minister together.
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF SHIFU’S MINISTRY?
We are excited that China is being well evangelized. Thousands of Chinese are surrendering their lives to Jesus every month. Many lack access to sound Bible training. This is where we come in…
VISION STATEMENT: “We intend to provide beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of sound Biblical training to both English and Mandarin speaking Christians in the U.S. and China using a variety of methods and easy-to-follow, bilingual multimedia.”
WHY IS THE MINISTRY NAMED SHIFU’S?
Shifu is the Chinese word for ‘teacher’ or ‘mentor’. The full name of our ministry is Shifu’s Tea Room. Much like an American coffee house, in China the tea room is a place to gather, relax and talk. In our seminars, we try to provide a nonthreatening environment suitable for training and open interaction.
THE WORD T.E.A. REPRESENTS THE 3 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE MINISTRY
T: Teaching the Word (by Teaching, Training and Tutoring)
2 Tim. 4:2, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
E: Equipping the Saints (To be Mature, Ministering and Missional)
Eph. 4:11-12, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry”
A: Advising Leaders (by Evaluating, Educating and Entrusting)
2 Tim. 2:2, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others”
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