The news of Florida Pastor Terry Jones’ plan to burn the Qu’ran on the ninth anniversary of the 2001 September 11th attack, despite having been called off, is having negative impact on Christian ministry in Muslim-dominated parts of the world, particularly in Indonesia and Afghanistan. Mission Network News has a report. As Muslim outrage grows overseas, hostility towards American and Christian ministries has also been on the rise. Please pray for peace and for the safety of Christian ministries in these parts of the world.

Our friends at Christian Post reports that authorities in Pakistan have recovered the bodies of three Christian relief workers who had been kidnapped and killed by members of the Pakistani Taliban in the flood-ravaged country, area officials said. Read more here and pray for our brothers and sisters working on the dangerous frontline of world missions.

According to China’s first official faith survey, Christians now number over 23 million, or 1.8% of the overall population, in the communist country. The study, conducted by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), an academic unit controlled by the government, looked at the response of over 60,000 questionnaires carried out in more than 300 counties across China. The 23 million officially recognized Christians account for 73% of China’s religious population. A whopping 68.8% of respondents converted to Christianity after either they or one of their family members fell ill.

The official estimate, while significant, is drastically lower than the estimate by underground church leaders and missiologists, who believe the number, when taken into account the undocumented believers, would be in the range of the hundreds of millions. Nonetheless, the official survey is notable for being the first survey of its kind and for documenting the rise of Christianity in an increasingly modernized country.

For more, read on here.

From Christian Post: Leaders of a church in West Java, Indonesia, demanded justice from police after a fifth attack from Muslim protesters left at least a dozen people injured Sunday. Read the full article here and keep our brothers and sisters in Indonesia in your prayer.

NPR (National Public Radio) recently did a fantastic series on the rise of religion in China, which devote a significant portion to the rise of Christianity and the spread of churches in China. It is a must for anyone wanting to know more about what is happening in China today with regards to mission, religion, and religious liberty. The series is titled- “New Believers- a Religious Revolution in China.” Check it out here.

From our friends at Christian Post come another report on the plight of Christians in Indonesia- the largest Muslim country in the world: Around 300 Muslim protesters and 300 police officers surrounded members of the Batak Christian Protestant Church (Huria Kristen Batak Protestan or HKBP) on Sunday as they worshiped in an open field in Ciketing, Bekasi, local sources said. Read more here.

Dr. Werner Burklin, founder of China Partner, recently led hundreds to Christ during his 80th birthday trip to China. Thousands recommitted their lives to the Lord after hearing his preaching at a large church in Hangzhou. Mission Network News has more on this wonderful story.

1040 is coming to Asia! We are coming back to where it all started. The historic 1040 tour with Jaeson Ma continues this August with public screenings and performances in key 10/40 Window spots like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea. Jaeson Ma will be delivering his powerful message. Are you ready to answer the call? This is going to an astonishing event that you won’t want to miss. Be there, be inspired, and be prepared to join the incredible movement of God in Asia. Check out our complete tour schedule here and stay tuned for more tour information!

The plight of many Christian evangelists in the 10/40 Window remain dire. Today, Christian Post reports that two evangelists survived an attack in India by playing dead last week when Hindu extremists surrounded them and severely beat them. Read the full report here and pray for our brothers and sister in the 10/40 Window who are bravely working for the Kingdom.