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Asia: Restricted Access

Overview:

Revival and rapid church growth have characterized China’s churches since the 1990s. About 130 million Chinese are Christians, most of whom worship within the house church movement. Millions of others worship with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), which, as the only legal church, is controlled by the Communist government.

Despite continuous pressure and oppression from the Communist government, house church leaders refuse to compromise the gospel by joining government-controlled churches. Because of decades of government oppression, many Chinese Christians do not have their own Bible or access to discipleship literature.

Major Religion:

Influenced by their atheistic government, many Chinese are nonreligious. About 20 percent are Buddhists, and another 20 percent practice Chinese folk religion. 9 percent are Christians.

Persecutor:

The main persecutor is the government.

What It Means To Follow Christ In China

In the early 2000s, many unregistered churches enjoyed some freedom from government intrusion and harassment despite their illegal status. However, in recent years restrictive religious regulations and persecution have increased significantly. Hundreds of churches have been forced to close, pastors and church members have been arrested or detained and the online sale of Bibles has been prohibited.

The government has installed hundreds of millions of facial recognition cameras, many in or near churches, to identify those who attend worship services. Church leaders are under intense pressure to join the government-controlled TSPM. It is illegal to disciple anyone younger than 18.

Christians are often charged with participating in cults or with other spurious accusations, such as “bad business practices” or “intent to undermine the state.”

Access To Bibles

Those living in rural areas have little access to Bibles and usually cannot afford them even when they are available. Bibles can be purchased at some bookstores operated by the TSPM, but rarely in significant numbers. The Bibles that VOM and other frontier missions organizations distribute each year have only begun to meet the massive need.

The combination of declaring most Bibles to be illegal and limiting distribution — both tactics of the Chinese Communist Party — has caused the shortage.

VOM Work

VOM distributes Bibles in the least reached, most challenging areas of China. Government restrictions have caused a lack of supply and resulting high costs. We also support groups reaching out to Muslims in China and assist imprisoned pastors, church leaders and their families.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for John Cao, who faces ongoing persecution after enduring seven years in prison for missionary work.
• Pray for house churches that are pressured and harassed by the Communist government.
• Pray that Chinese Christians will have access to Bibles despite restrictions and other obstacles.
• Pray for the release of Christians charged with "bad business practices" or "undermining the state.
• Pray for the perseverance of Christians under continual government surveillance and oppression.

The Voice of the Martyrs. U.S.A

About Coram Deo

Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.