NUMBER OF BELIEVERS IN CHINA SHOW SIGNIFICANT INCREASE

 

A very interesting news report from BBC says that a poll of 4,500 people by Shanghai university professors at the East China Normal University found that 31.4% of people above the age of 16 considered themselves religious. This suggests that nationwide, there could be as many as 300 million people who are connected with some religious organization. Compared to the official government figure of 100 million, this is an amazing confirmation that religion is enjoying a dramatic resurgence over the past 20 years since restrictions have been eased. The official China Daily called the survey the country’s first major survey on religious beliefs.

 

About 200 million people followed Buddhism leaving an estimated 100 million Christians which is confirmation of the unofficial estimate of believers in China today. The survey also concluded that two-thirds of those in the poll who consider themselves religious are between the ages of 16-39—a significant change from the previous decade when most believers were 40 or older. This also confirms the report that there is a great increase of believers among university students and professors.

 

"RELIGIOUS COMMUNISTS" REPORTED

 

Another amazing fact reported by Forum 18 News Service is the increasing number of Communist Party Members who see party membership simply a matter for gaining material advantages, and religious belief as a “private” matter. This “privatization” is encouraged by the state’s attempts to stop religious communities becoming a force that can challenge the party-state. With more and more Chinese citizens becoming Christians or privately believing in other religions, it raises some very important questions for religious freedom in China.

 

On January 1, 2007, China Aid Association reported that officials of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) secret police raided a Christian gathering in Hebei Province that was being held in the local Communist Party training school for cadres.  In addition, the host of the group was the vice president of the school! About 40 people were arrested in the raid. Reports say that at least one-third of the 60-70 million Communist Party members belong to a religious organization. The records of the Communist Party show that 12 million party cadres in urban areas and 8 million in rural areas are religious participants. Greater things are happening in China than most people realize. This should encourage increased prayer support for the men and women who are taking their stand for Christ in an atheistic society, and who are willing to pay the ultimate price for their beliefs.

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO BELIEVERS WHO RETURN TO CHINA?

 

There is much cause for rejoicing over the number of scholars who come to faith in Christ here in the States during their years at university. The urgent problem Glen Osborn of China Outreach Ministries is working to solve is what happens when these individuals return to China and have no Christian fellowship to help them survive in a godless society. He writes, “We are working on setting up networks that will make it possible to train staff to assist people returning to China. Last fall, we worked together with 30 people from 13 agencies on developing appropriate networks returnees survive and thrive.” Out of this summit gathering came ideas and plans that are being put into place to meet this great need.

 

THE BOOK OF HOPE ORGANIZATION PRINTS IN CHINA

 

The Book of Hope organization has distributed more than 410 million copies of their “Harmony of the Gospels” around the world. Founder Bob Hoskins reports that a year ago he met a gentleman from China. The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black book that he received at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast in Washington. “I'm trying to find out who published this book,” he said. The first printing of 30,000 copies of the Leaders Edition of the Book of Hope is now legally being printed and distributed in China. They are being given to political, business and educational leaders. That one contact in Washington opened this amazing door. They expect to have a children’s and youth edition ready for distribution by Fall.

 

AMERICAN WORKER FROM TAIWAN VERIFIES STATEMENT 

 

Last issue carried the statement that neither pastors or other workers are required to submit sermons or seminar material to the government for permission to use. Some have questioned that statement which was a general practice since the early days of Communist control. The good news is that a person of unquestioned reputation, who regularly enters China on ministry trips to churches and seminaries usually connected with the registered church, verified by e-mail that the statement was true and accurate. Rejoice that the former restricts have been lifted and a great measure of freedom exists. However, China is still considered a country that is faulted by human rights organizations for the high level of persecution still existing in the country.

 

 WORLD WATCH 2007

 

Christian persecution continues unabated in many countries of the world, including China. The good news is that China is not listed by Open Doors in its World Watch 2007 as being in the top ten nations for persecution. North Korea continues to head the list as the most oppressive regime in the world followed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Yemen, Bhutan, Vietnam, Laos and Afghanistan. China is particularly guilty of arresting Korean refugees fleeing their country and returning them to a certain death penalty, and for the repressive attacks on unregistered churches.

 

CHINA TO ‘PURIFY’ THE INTERNET

 

No one denies that the Internet needs purifying, but not the kind China’s president Hu Jintao has vowed the government of China will enforce. There is an estimated 130 million Internet users in China and that number is increasing rapidly. President Hu has engaged 30,000 Internet police to enforce “the great firewall of China.” President Hu has reiterated the Party’s belief that Internet communications should promote ideals that sit well with the Party and “maintain the initiative in opinion,” and which “raises the level of guidance” online. In other words, rigid censorship. It doesn't look too good for China’s dissidents who have resorted to blogging as a means of getting their messages out. No one knows yet how this will affect the Christian message going out on the Internet from inside or outside the country. `This is an urgent matter for prayer.

 

MIRACLES IN GANSU

 

The China Link Spring Newsletter carries this report. The history of the C&MA in China is an amazing story beginning in 1888 with the arrival of Mrs. William Cassidy [whose husband died en route in Japan.] Many other intrepid pioneers followed including William Christie, known as the Apostle of Tibet who used timbers from a Tibetan monastery to build churches in Gansu. [His grandson, Dr. William Conrad has performed thousands of eye surgeries in the region during the summer for more than 15 years and has been highly honored by the government.]. Howard Alexander relentlessly tried to begin ministry in the walled city of Changsha, and only after many setbacks and repeated attempts was he allowed to live on a houseboat on the Xiang River. Years later he was presented with a key to the city by grateful believers. China Link team members still meet people who remember these early pioneers. It is cause for great rejoicing that the church in Gansu alone has experienced exponential growth. In 1949 at the time of the Communist takeover the C&MA membership in Gansu was 1,200. Today, EACH of the churches in Lintao, Minxian, Wudu, and Wenxian are three times larger than the whole C&MA 1949 membership. 

 

AMERICAN PASTOR GETS BOOKS PUBLISHED IN CHINA

 

Dr. Ray Pritchard, President of Keep On Believing Ministries, and author of 27 books, providentially met an American publisher heading up a publishing house in China! As a result, three of Dr. Pritchard’s books have now been translated into Chinese including his popular book “An Anchor for the Soul.” These books are being circulated to pastors and leaders in the Chinese church. Visit Dr. Pritchard’s web log on http://www.Crosswalk.com and click on his name or blog box for some very challenging reading. God is doing great things through His servant who is available and willing to serve. Three sons are also teaching English at Chinese universities.

 

 NEWS FROM OVERSEAS CHINESE

 

Great spiritual blessing is not confined to Chinese in China. Some unusual things are happening among Chinese people everywhere. That is evidenced by hundreds of Chinese churches springing up all over the world.

 

Strasburg, Germany. A Chinese church in Strasburg, Germany sent delegates to a Chinese church in Paris (four hours away by train) to urge the American pastor to come to Strasburg for evangelistic meetings among the hundreds of university scholars studying there.  

 

Panama. In January, a Colombian pastor and his wife moved to Panama to work among Chinese youth who study in Panamanian-Spanish-speaking schools. Their parents work long hours and are generally very strict and sometimes harsh with their children in order to urge them to excel in education. This is a first for a Colombian pastor and for the Chinese church in Panama.

 

Spain. A Chinese church reports unusual blessing through evangelism among mainland Chinese businessmen and university students. They need a larger facility for worship and Bible study.

 

United States. The Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, has opened its doors to a group of Chinese seeking a place to worship. This will become a community of the church, or in other words, a group that meets during a time before the general worship service. They will join in the English worship service, and the pastor, Dr. Dominic Aquilla, who speaks fluent Spanish, preaches in English, will now have his messages translated into Chinese. There are an estimated 1,000 Chinese residing in Colorado Springs.

 

CONCLUSION

 

It’s time to bring this news report to a close. You are urged to forward this report to friends interested in what God is doing in China, and invite them to subscribe to this free monthly newsletter.