Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Apr 05: China, People’s Republic, The Church in China, The Less Evangelized, Supportive Ministries
China
People's Republic of China
Asia
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Geography
Area: 9,573,000 sq kmThe third-largest state in the world, also containing the highest mountains and plateaus in the world. The climate and geography are extremely diverse, ranging from tropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north, from a highly industrialized and modern eastern seaboard to sparsely populated western deserts and mountain ranges. Hong Kong and Macau are integral parts of China, though their statistics are not included here; Taiwan’s status is debated. These three are handled separately.
Population: 1,330,584,783 Annual Growth: 0.63%
Capital: Beijing
Urbanites: 44.9%
HDI Rank: 92 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 516 (83% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese); local languages in the five Autonomous Regions. 15 regional mega-languages. There are an estimated 600 different spoken Han dialects, but one written language common to all Languages: 296 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Non-religious| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 105,382,315 | 7.92 | 2.7 |
| Evangelicals | 75,399,270 | 5.7 | 2.9 |
| Non-religious | 590,247,410 | 44.36 |
Challenge for Prayer
China faces environmental disasters on many fronts; possibly her heaviest burdens directly resulting from great economic achievements. Pollution of China’s water sources has surpassed crisis level, and the combined effects of land, air and water pollution result in hundreds of thousands of deaths per year – to say nothing of the numbers born with defects or suffering environmentally-related illness. Chemical pollutants from agricultural and industrial waste continue to render Chinese cities and rural areas, as well as neighbouring countries, rife with dangers. Desertification of the northern provinces, combined with population growth, will affect millions in coming years. China has recently taken unprecedented steps toward addressing environmental concerns, though falling short of substantial progress. Pray for a government courageous and trusted enough to make the difficult decisions required for the long-term well-being of the nation.For an additional 6 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of China.The Church in China
China
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Challenge for Prayer
Relationships among the various expressions of the Chinese Church are at last strengthening, after decades of strain ranging from passively avoidant to intentionally acrimonious. As they are able, government-recognized churches in recent years assist the unregistered churches by providing them support and resources. Even more significantly, TSPM/CCC churches and house churches came together in the aftermath of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, ministering jointly to communities and families in need. Pray for continued collaboration, understanding and unity as new generations of leaders forge relationships across historic dividing lines. Pray for genuine reconciliation at the foot of the Cross.For an additional 4 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of The Church in China.The Less Evangelized
China
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Challenge for Prayer
The Chinese military is considered the largest in the world, including the armed forces (PLA) and the armed police (PAP). Combined, there are over four million in uniform, but very few Christians among them.For an additional 7 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of The Less Evangelized.Supportive Ministries
World
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Challenge for Prayer
Provision of Chinese Bibles remains inadequate, despite a praiseworthy increase in the number of copies now available. The famine of the Scriptures is most acute for house churches, particularly in rural areas where the Church has grown with tremendous rapidity. The situation surrounding Bible printing, distribution and sales is complex, with a variety of factors contributing to the shortfall. Pray for:a) Equitable Bible distribution across all arms of the Chinese Church.Amity Printing Company – a joint venture with UBS – printed its 50 millionth Bible in late 2007; it now has capacity to print upward of 10 million Bibles annually! However, the portion of these that remains in China (approximately 80%) goes to official points of distribution for sale through TSPM and CPA congregations; Bibles are not generally available for sale in bookstores. While some unofficial churches are increasingly able to buy affordable Bibles from the official churches, this monopoly on distribution and sales contributes to a shortage of Scripture availability across the Chinese Church. Pray for creativity in providing Bibles to a rapidly growing and diversifying Church.
b) Ready availability of God’s Word to all who seek it. Affordable Bibles have largely met the demand among urban Christians. Yet astoundingly, millions of Christians in China remain without access to a Bible, sometimes sharing one copy among 10 or even 100 church members, particularly in rural areas. House churches have commenced their own Bible printing presses and offer free or low cost Bibles to those outside major cities, having provided over six million since 2000. Millions of additional Bibles and NTs are estimated to have been brought in by visitors. Importation of Bibles is legal, but it is prevented for largely economic reasons. Pray that this flow might increase and that all Christians might have access to a copy of the Scriptures. Pray that Bibles might be distributed throughout the country to all who seek God’s Word.
For an additional 4 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
