Olympic Games bring new threats for the Church in China
Olympic Games bring new opportunities—and threats—for the Church in China
Open Doors co-workers ask for your prayers as the effects of the Beijing Olympics play outHave you ever seen anything like it? The spectacular closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games is certainly not easily forgotten. Dancers! Music! Flags! Fireworks!
But how quickly global attention shifts. Now that the Olympic Games are over, China has faded away from the glare of the world’s daily media spotlight.
But of course, the effects of the Olympic Games are still playing out, bringing both opportunities—and threats—to Christians across China.
New opportunities
First, our coworkers in China want you to know that a number of special projects over the time of the Olympic Games are already bearing fruit. “Our Olympic Games version of the Gospel of John has been very well received by everyone we have distributed it to,” says Brother Guang*, who heads up Open Doors youth ministry division in China. “Looking at our distribution records, we can see that it has already been delivered to practically every province in the nation.”“In one city,” Guang continues, “when one of the youth leaders saw the Olympic Games Gospel of John, he asked for a large supply. I had to explain to him that we had already finished distributing the stocks. But, in order not to disappoint him, I have promised him an even better version—the Youth New Testament—when we begin its delivery soon.”
Guang values your prayers as he heads up these exciting projects, placing God’s precious Word into the hands of youth leaders across China.
New threats
Sadly, the Olympic Games have not only brought opportunities for the gospel, but also new pressures and threats. Beijing house church leaders were asked to sign documents agreeing not to hold services between July 15 and October 15. Those who broke the agreement are now set to face “disciplinary action.”Moreover, it is being reported that China’s Communist Party is instigating a new nationwide campaign against four “unstable social elements”—political dissidents, human rights defenders, petitioners, and...house church leaders. This is intended to coincide with a new campaign for “20 more years of political and social stability” in China. Your prayers are vital as this new crackdown takes hold.
Incarcerated
And in your prayers for China in the coming weeks, please don’t forget to uphold Beijing bookstore owner, Shi Weihan. First arrested almost a year ago on charges of printing unauthorized Christian books, Shi is still awaiting the outcome of his trial. While incarcerated, Shi has been denied proper medical care for his diabetes, and he has lost so much weight that his family struggles to recognize him.Like many other Beijing house churches, Shi’s church was closed in June as the authorities clamped down prior to the Olympics. But, wonderfully, Shi’s bookstore remained open throughout the Games, in a prime location near to the Olympic Village!
Standing alongside
In this time of new opportunities—and threats—for Christians across China, Open Doors teams are, as ever, committed to standing alongside the Chinese Church. With your prayers and support, our coworkers will continue to deliver God’s Word, encourage God’s people, and strive for the advance of God’s Kingdom across the vast nation of China.* For security reasons, we cannot tell you Guang’s real name.
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