When we hear about persecution of Christians in China it is important to get a right balance. “China is a large country and the majority of Christians meet in relative freedom,” OMF states in their May Persecution Update.
The large Shouwang house-church in Beijing continues to be harassed. By September 2012 the church estimated that its members had suffered 1,600 arrests in two years; 50 members had been evicted from their homes and up to a dozen had been forced out of their jobs. There has been a worrying increase in the numbers of persecuted Christians since the low point in 2007. China Aid reported the persecution of 4,919 individual Christians in 2012.
But this should not mask the fact that, over the last 10 years, there have been definite improvements for Christians in China, amid substantial growth in numbers. Youth work, Sunday schools and Christian bookshops are flourishing, while the distribution of Bibles is at all time highs. In many ways persecution has been the seed for the strengthening of the Chinese Church over many decades.
Source: OMF Prayer Letter; Revival Media
BIBLE STUDY: Matthew 28:19-20
PRAISE: God that Jesus is in the midst of His Church and Chinese Christians remain strong in the face of trials. Pray that the Gospel may continue to permeate Chinese society.
