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.

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.

North Korea’s currency reform, which went into place in November 2009, has had a “disastrous consequence”. Mission News Network reports on this new development.

From Christian Post: “Two churches and a non-governmental organization working with the authorities have effectively stemmed a cholera outbreak in a district of Cambodia. The outbreak was part of a wider epidemic in the North-eastern Ratanakiri province that has resulted in at least 36 deaths since April.” Read more here.

From Christianity Today- Protestant churches in Hong Kong are blooming with an annual growth rate 6.2% over the last five years, with the number of Protestants drawing close to 300,000. Read the full article to learn about the rapid development of Christianity in this former British colony.

From Christian Post: “North Korea on Thursday threatened to impose harsher punishment on an imprisoned American citizen who had illegally entered the country earlier this year. Aijalon Mahli Gomes, whom friends describe as a devout Christian, is facing possible “wartime law” because of the United States’ “campaign” to put international pressure on North Korea after the sinking of a South Korean warship.” Click here for the full article. Please continue to keep North Korea in your prayer.