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 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.

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.

Associated Press reports that Son Jong Nam, a North Korean defector and former presidential guard, has been tortured to death in North Korean prison after going back to the country to spread the Gospel. Read his amazing story of testimony here and learn about the plight of our North Korean brothers and sisters.

Hey everyone! There will be a free 1040 screening at the 5th Annual Tom (Talent One Media) Film Festival next week, Saturday June 19th at 3pm. The screening info is as follows:

Time: 3:00pm

Aratani Main Theater
244 S. San Pedro St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Little Tokyo

FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE

Cost: Free
Limited seating on first come, first served basis.

Don’t miss this great film festival that highlights such important issues as human trafficking, faith, and social justice. In addition to 1040, the festival is also screening wonderful films like the Oscar-nominated short KAVI, by Gregg Helvery, and the Venice-In-Competition, Heartland-winning short JITENSHA (BICYCLE) by Dean Yamada. There is also a Benefit Opening Night reception for Rapha House 7:30pm Friday night June 18th. Don’t miss this wonderful festival! See you there!

Hello 1040 movers and shakers!

This is a reminder that 1040 will be screening THIS Saturday, May 29th, at Sa-Rang Community Church in Anaheim, CA- one of the largest Korean churches in the US. Jaeson Ma will be in person to talk about the film and share his vision concerning Christianity in Asia and the mobilization of our generation for world missions.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112398945460675
Online registration: http://1040.eventbrite.com
Group tickets: http://www.sarangecollege.com/1040_Group_Request.pdf

Sa-Rang Community Church
Saturday, May 29th, 2010
1111 N. Brookhurst St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
FREE ADMISSION

Doors open at 6:00pm, but come a little early to get some good food (i.e. “Bool” Taco Truck, Spam Musubi, Funnel Cake, etc) and talk with the mission agencies that are going to be there! The mission agencies that will be represented:

OMF International
Wycliffe
Jewish Voices
GMO
GP USA
GMP America
Dawn Missions
LINK

See you there!

Musician and pop star Ed Huang (黃立全), formerly of the Taiwanese hip-hop group Machi (麻吉), talks about his faith and passion in this special 1040 clip. Artists and pop icons are among the key influencers of our era. Watch 1040 and see how they are using their gifts and talents to transform the world.

Asian pop star Nicky Lee 이구철 (李玖哲) shares his perspective on faith, fame, God, and evangelism in this special 1040 clip. Celebrities and pop stars are among the key influencers of our generation. Let’s lift them in our prayer. Spread the movement of 1040 and answer the call!

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Our 1040 friends in South Korea reflect on the question “What is Faith?” in this special clip recorded for 1040. What is faith to you? How important is faith in your life? Watch 1040 and see the incredible, historical movement of faith that is spreading across Asia.

Check out the 1040 Spring Tour Schedule!

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In this special 1040 clip, Jaeson Ma talks with young people around Beijing’s National Stadium (a.k.a the Bird’s Nest Stadium) to get an glimpse of what is happening in contemporary China. The tremendous economic growth and increasing urbanization of China are signs of dramatic, unprecedented change. As China moves onto the forefront of the global stage in the 21st century, more and more opportunities for evangelism and social transformation are becoming available. Pray and find out how you can serve in China!

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