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.

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.

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.

The Christian Post, one of the main Christian publications in the US, published an article on 1040 and Jaeson Ma this week. Check out this wonderful piece and the insights it offers. Thank you Christian Post and Michelle Vu for the generous coverage. Let’s keep on spreading the movement of 1040!

The article can be found here.

To mark the 21st Anniversary of China’s Tian’anmen Square Massacre and the student pro-democracy movement, several ex-student leaders, many of whom are Christians now living abroad, gathered to pray for China and to commemorate the freedom movement- the biggest threat ever to the Chinese Communist regime. Christian Post has a moving article on this.

Chai Ling, one of the most wanted student leaders by the Chinese government at the time, became a Christian last December. We highly recommend her beautiful testimony, which describes her days as an activist, her encounter with Christianity, and what led her to declare Christ as Lord and Savior last year: http://www.chinaaid.org/downloads/sb_chinaaid/ChaiLingstestimony6_13_2010.pdf

On this day, learn about what happened on June 4th, 1989, and remember China in your prayer.

The Chinese government is appealing to faith groups for help in the aftermath of last month’s  massive earthquake in the China’s northwestern region. In an official release, the Chinese government asked for faith-based groups to help with the ongoing relief effort and even expressed appreciation for their support and prayer. For anyone interested in the opening of China and what appears to be the government’s increasingly open attitude towards religions, this article is a fascinating read:

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100511/china-appeals-to-religious-groups-for-help-post-quake/index.html

“The growth of the church in China is outpacing its resources. Not enough seminaries and Bible schools exist to help all Christian leaders who need training. And many country lay pastors could not afford it, even if there was enough room”, remarks one Chinese ministry organization. As Christianity continues to grow rapidly in China, the needs are also growing. This article offers a glimpse into China’s ministry needs. Pray for China and learn how you can serve!

With death-toll rapidly rising (2,000+ deaths) in the earthquake-affected China, Christians are actively aiding the massive relief effort. See report 1 and report 2 . Please continue to pray for China, the victims, affected individuals and families, as well as the many Christians who are involved in relief work. They need our support and prayer during this very difficult time. See this link and the World Vision page to find out how you can help!

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http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2159047~Southeast_Asia:_A_profile_of_churches

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A 7.1 earthquake hit western China early Wednesday morning (April 14th) and has killed 589 people and injured more than 10,000 in Qinghai province, an area bordering Tibet. According to reports, more than 25 aftershocks continued to hit throughout the day, including one of magnitude 6.3 at 9:25 am, causing further damage in the already devastated area. Read this news report to learn more, and see this link as well as World Vision page to find out how you can help!

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