March
- 28 To 31
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CHINA
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| Population | 1,214,221,000 |
| Peoples | Chinese (Han) 92%. Eight major languages
and 600 dialects but one written language common to all. Putunghua
(Mandarin) 744 mill., Wu 78 mill., Yueh (Cantonese) 53 mill., Xiang
(Hunanese) 45 mill., Hakka 45 mill., Minnan 34 mill., Minpei 23 mill,
Gan 22 mill. Ethnic minorities 8%. Officially recognized 55; but the true total of ethno-linguistic peoples may be closer to 150. Main groups: Tai 2.1%. Zhuang 15,490,000; Bouyei 2,545,000; Dong 2,514,000; Li 1,111,000; Dai 1,025,000; Gelo 438,000; Mulam 159,000; Maonan 72,000. Mainly in south and southwest. Tibeto-Burman 1.9%. Over 18 peoples: Yi 6,572,000; Tujia 5,704,000; Tibetan 4,593,000; Bai 1,595,000; Hani 1,253,000; Lisu 575,000; Lahu 411,000; Naxi 278,000; Quiang 198,000; Jinpo 119,000. Mainly southwest and west. Mongolian 1.35%. Over nine peoples. Manchu 9,821,000; Mongolian 4,807,000; Xibe 173,000; Daur 121,000; Evenki 26,000. Miano-Yao 0.84%. Miao (Hmong) 7,400,000; Yao 2,134,000. Mainly in southwest. Hui 0.76%. Chinese Muslims 8,603,000. Turkic 0.76%. Over six peoples; all Muslim but for Yugur who are Buddhist. Uygur 7,214,000; Kazakh 1,112,000; Kirgiz (Kyrgyz) 142,000; Salar 88,000; Yugur 12,000; Tatar 5,000. Mainly in northwest. Mon-Khmer 0.1%. Over six peoples. Wa 352,000; Shui 346,000; Blang 82,000. Other 0.25%. Korean 1,900,000; Tajik 33,500; Russian 13,000. Also foreign experts 60,000. |
| Literacy | 73%. Official language: Putunghua (Mandarin Chinese); local languages in the five Autonomous Regions. All languages 142. Languages with Scriptures 15Bi 13NT 26por. |
| Cities | Capital: Beijing (Peking) 10.8 million. Other cities: Shanghai 13.3 mill., Tianjin 8.8 mill., Chongqing 2.9 mill., Guangzhou 3.5 mill., Shenyang 4.4 mill., Wuhan 3.6 mill., Nanjing 2.4 mill. Thirty-four other cities of over one million inhabitants. Urbanization 37%. |
| Economy | The Cultural Revolution with its application of an extreme Marxist economic system was a fiasco. Since 1978, the see-saw conflict between the hardliners and pragmatists within the Communist government has been reflected in the degree of economic liberalization. The commune system has been partially dismantled with dramatic improvements in agricultural yields. Much of manufacturing and industry has been opened up for privatization and foreign investment with a 14% average growth rate in the '80s. The most rapid growth has been in the special economic zones adjoining Hong Kong and Macao. The restraints of a massive bureaucracy, fear of political liberalization and inefficient state-run industries slowed growth in 1990, but since 1992 the country has moved strongly into growth and a capitalist economic system. Unemployment 2-20% depending on area.. Public debt/person $46. Income/person $360 (1.7% of USA). |
| Politics | This great and ancient nation has regained its place of importance in the world after nearly two centuries of decline and humiliation at the hands of the Western powers and Japan. Since the final conquest of mainland China in 1949, the Communist Party has remoulded the nation along Marxist lines. The Cultural Revolution (1966-76) was the culmination of Mao's policy. It caused immeasurable suffering and economic chaos. Intellectuals and religious believers were cruelly persecuted. It is estimated that 20 million Chinese lost their lives during that time. The death of Mao Zedong in 1976 and discrediting of radical leftists in 1978 was followed by a more pragmatic leadership under Deng. He initiated a series of economic, political and cultural reforms and developed links with other nations, but all within the limits set by Deng. The crushing of the 1989 student protest in Tiananmen Square in Beijing and also the collapse of Communism in Europe and the USSR left China diplomatically isolated as the oldest surviving Communist regime. The threatened government responded with a reversion to ideological rigidity and repression of all political, ethnic and religious dissent. Economic reform with tight political control emerged as government policy for the 1990s. In 1997 the British return Hong Kong to China and in 1999 the Portuguese Macao. |
| Religion | Elimination of all religious groups has always been
the ultimate aim of the Marxist government. In the '50s the government
engineered the infiltration, subversion and control of all organized
Christianity. By 1958 this had been achieved through the Three Self
Patriotic Movement among Protestants, and the Catholic Patriotic Association
among Catholics. During the Cultural Revolution even these front structures
were banned, and all religious activity forced underground, giving
birth to the house church movement. In 1978 restrictions were eased
and the TSPM and CPA resurrected as a means of regaining governmental
control of the thousands of house churches. This has been only partially
successful. The collapse of Communism in Europe is perceived as due
to "religion", so strict controls are maintained over Christian
and Muslim organizations and all unregistered activity repressed wherever
possible. All figures below are estimates. Non-religious/other 59.1%. Communist Party members are claimed to be about 50 million -- all officially atheist. The atheism propagated in the education system ensures that most young people have no religious knowledge. Chinese religions 27%. A blending of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and folk religion. Buddhist 3%. Traditional Buddhists 24,000,000; strong among the Zhuang, Manchu, Dai, Lahu, Korean, Bulang. Also Lamaistic Buddhists 9,600,000; Tibetans, Mongolians, Naxi, Tu Moimba, Pumi, Yugur, Lhoba. Animist 2.4%. Mainly among the tribal peoples of the south, southwest and far north. Miao, Hani, Yi, Tujia, Yao, Bouyei, Bai, Va Dong, Li, Mulao, She, Gelo, Shui, Qiang, Xibe, Daur, Evenki, etc. Muslim 2.4%. Dominant in Xinjiang and Ningxia. The major religion of the Hui, Uygur, Kazak, Kirgiz, Tajik, Uzbek, Tatar, Dongxiang, Salar and Bonan. There are now 43,000 officially-allowed mosques. Christian 6.1%. Growth 7.7%. Protestant 5.1%. Growth 7.1%. Roman Catholic 0.77%. Growth 10.8%. Indigenous Marginal 0.18%. Growth 13.3%. |
| 1. The growth of the Church in China since 1977
has no parallels in history. Researchers estimated 30-75 million
Christians in 1990 as likely. The State Statistical Bureau in China
confidentially estimated 63 million Protestants and 12 million Catholics
in 1992. Compare this to the estimated 1,812,000 Protestants and 3,300,000
Catholics in 1949. Most of the growth is in the unofficial house fellowship
networks, and through the work of itinerant preachers and numerous
local revival movements. Praise God for: a) The 140 years of sacrificial seed-sowing by thousands of missionaries. At one stage there were 8,500 Protestant missionaries, 1,000 of these being with CIM (OMF). Their labour was not in vain! Yet it was seen wisest by the Lord to remove them before the harvest that He alone get the glory! b) The millions of intercessors who travailed in prayer for the long-delayed breakthrough. Prayer is changing China. c) The manifest bankruptcy of Communism. Colossal blunders and changes in Party policy over 35 years have disillusioned the people. The fall of personality-cult leaders and the failure of promises for a better future have created a vacuum which only the gospel can fill. The Church of the Lord Jesus is larger than the Communist Party of China. Mao Zedong unwittingly became the greatest evangelist in history. The nepotism, corruption and factionalism of the present Communist Party have become repugnant to the majority. d) The Christians who stood firm in what was probably the most widespread and harsh persecution the Church has ever experienced. The persecution purified and indigenized the Church and has inured it to more recent efforts to weaken and destroy it. In the '60s, Wenzhou City in Zhejiang was selected as a model for the campaign for renouncing religion; it is the most Christian city in China today where Christians officially number 300,000. e) The search for Truth among the educated. The tanks of Tiananmen Square crushed the idolatrous trust in democracy as their solution, and led large numbers of young people to faith in Christ since 1989. The old religions of China have not attracted them, but the claims of Christ have. Until then the growth had been among the poor and the rural population; now every stratum of society has been affected. f) The waves of revival that follow every man-induced or natural disaster. The love and testimony of Christians and the power of the Holy Spirit manifested in miracles, healing and exorcism have played their part. g) The fruitfulness of Christian radio and the remarkable faith of those who broadcast into China for years with little visible evidence of a response. |
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| 2. Barriers to the gospel have been broken down by the suffering and distress of wars and revolutions this century. The cloying hold of the old religions of idolatrous Taoism, Buddhism and philosophical Confucianism has been broken, and the foreignness of Christianity dissipated. Now is the time of harvest. Pray that the whole land may be evangelized. Over 80% of the population have known only Communism, so the majority has no faith at all. Possibly 500 million Chinese, especially in remote provinces and ethnic minorities, have never heard the gospel. China's 500 million children and young people under 18 are officially forbidden to be exposed to the gospel. | |
| 3. Population control by draconian legislation and disregard for human rights, family life and moral absolutes have had tragic social consequences with widespread divorce, forced abortion on a massive scale, female infanticide, violence and suicide. Pray for leaders to be raised up for China who will rule with justice. Pray for Christian families to be a light and example to all around. Pray especially that the children of believers may follow in their parents' footsteps, despite mockery, discrimination and a constant barrage of atheistic propaganda. | |
| 4. The Overseas Chinese number at least 56 million. Of these, 28 million live in the four Chinese-majority territories and states of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Singapore. The other 28 million live in over 100 nations of the world. Worldwide there has been a significant turning to God among Chinese with highly visible, often wealthy, churches planted within these Chinese communities. Their interest and concern for the spiritual welfare of China has had significant impact -- in evangelism, church planting, providing aid and Christian literature. Pray for the growth of overseas Chinese churches, their expansion into unreached Chinese communities around the world and development of China-related ministries. | |
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THE CHURCH IN CHINA
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| 1. The TSPM was reconstituted by the government
after 13 years of oblivion. The purpose was to wrest the initiative
from the burgeoning house church movement and for the government to
gain control of the Church; the amount of political interference has
varied widely from district to district. Every form of inducement
to extend control over house churches has been used, including coercion,
military suppression, threats and promises, but with limited results.
In 1991 there were over 7,000 churches linked with the TSPM. Pray
for: a) Leaders who have compromised and have been more concerned to implement government policy than obey the Lord Jesus Christ. b) Many godly leaders and committed believers within the TSPM to remain committed to the Truth and fear God more than man. c) The 13 officially-sanctioned seminaries, one of which is specifically for ethnic minority leaders in Yunnan. Much of the instruction is Marxist-oriented and liberal in theology. There are 700 students preparing for ministry, but not all have a call from the Lord. There is a high drop-out rate, and many become enmeshed in administrative work in the TSPM rather than pastoral ministry. Pray that the true believers among them may not lose their faith but be drawn closer to Jesus despite the negative aspects of their training. |
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| 2. The house church movement and its several networks
is the heart of the true Church of China. Its very weakness
is its strength. Pray for: a) Its commitment to preach Christ and Him crucified whatever the cost and without compromise. The lack of Scriptures and teaching in depth could affect this. b) Its evangelistic outreach. Witnessing Christians and itinerant preachers have spread the gospel far and wide, but many provinces, districts and towns are still unreached. Yet it is this outreach that is most violently opposed by the authorities. Pray that they may be ever more bold for Jesus and implement their missionary strategy for China. c) Its leaders. Some are old veterans whose ministry began before the Communist takeover. Pray that they may lay the theological foundations for the upcoming generation of young leaders. Most of the latter are in their 20s and 30s and only recently converted. Pray for a right balance between control and freedom in leadership style as the new China emerges. d) Its training of leaders. There are known to be dozens of field/mountain seminaries that gather secretly for three months at a time for fellowship, teaching and preparation for ministry. e) Bible study groups on university campuses, which have multiplied since 1989 with students, graduates, professors and researchers participating. New groups were established in over 12 cities in 1991. This has great significance for the future as a new third wave of church growth in China. Pray for the strengthening and growth of these groups. |
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| 3. Revival and reaction. Great turnings
to the Lord over the past 15 years have deeply affected the provinces
of Fujian, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan and some of the ethnic minorities
of Yunnan. In Henan alone, some claim the number of Christians doubled
between 1989 and 1991. Pray that other provinces less affected may
likewise be touched. The enemy has not been idle. Attacks are coming
through: a) False teachings. The many new, untaught and Bible-less converts have easily fallen prey to doctrinal excesses, distortions and error. Millennial extremes and legalistic teachings are common. Exotic names such as Audible Voice, Queen of the South, Salvation through Knowledge and the Shouters are used. Pray that believers may have discernment and leaders wisdom in correcting these. b) Persecution. This has come in cycles, and was very severe during the Cultural Revolution. Most Bibles were destroyed, believers' homes looted, and believers humiliated. During that time many believers were imprisoned. Between 1983 and 1985, and since 1989, the persecution of unregistered non-TSPM groups and Christian workers has been stepped up. Several thousand believers are known to be imprisoned, and some tortured for their faith since 1989. Pray for the protection and preservation of Christians, and for those imprisoned, and their families, to be upheld. Other Christian workers have been scattered and are in hiding where the pressures have been the most severe. By 1992 it was clear that government policy is to shut down all house churches. The Catholics have suffered particularly severely because of their allegiance to a foreign leader, the Pope. Government control through the puppet CPA has stunted growth and the illegal loyalists have had to carry on very secretively. |
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CHINA'S LESS REACHED
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| 1. The Chinese. The great turning to Christianity
has been more among the Han Chinese. By 1992, 6.5-7% were Christian,
yet the spread of Christians in society is uneven. Pray for: a) Communist Party members. The official number of 51 million members may be unrealistic. Ideology is a facade to cover self-seeking opportunism. Disillusionment and defection to Christianity have led to many resignations. Pray that the Holy Spirit may convict many more of their sin and need. Among them are also many secret believers! b) The armed forces who are the protectors of the Marxist state, and who jealously guard their privileged position. There are 3,030,000 in uniform, but very few Christians among them. c) The "lost generation", the young people mobilized as the Cultural Revolution Red Guards. The millions involved were morally warped and exploited, losing their youth, education prospects and hopes of betterment in the madness of those years. Pray that they may find hope in Christ. d) Those still bound by the idolatrous superstitions of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. These customs and philosophies are being revived, but young people are not so attracted to them. A new religion, QiGong, is gaining a large following too. Pray for the millions still bound and needing the freedom only the gospel can give. e) Students who are the key for the future. The shock of the events of 1989 have brought many to Christ, but most of the 2,100,000 university students are still unreached. Pray for Christians among them to be built up in their faith and to be fervent witnesses. Pray also for the establishment of Bible study groups on every one of the 1,075 campuses. Pray also for the evangelization of the Chinese sent to study in Japan (90,000), USA (75,000), Australia (40,000) and elsewhere. A number have found the Lord. f) The cities. Some cities in the southeast and centre of the country have many Christians, but the great Chinese cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Taiyuan, Lanzhou and Shenyang have fewer believers and surveillance of their activities is more marked. In these cities alone live 30 million people. g) The less evangelized provinces predominantly in the north and west. Those with possibly less than 1% Christian are Shanxi, Gansu and Jiangxi. Others with less than 3% Christian are Qinghai, Hebei, Jilin, Liaoning, Hubei and Hunan. Pray that there may be an outpouring of the Spirit on these less-reached Chinese, and pray for evangelists working in these provinces. |
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| 2. Autonomous regions. These have been
established for five of the most populous ethnic minorities -- the
Zhuang, Uygur, Tibetans, Mongolians and the Hui -- and are the least
evangelized areas of China. Massive immigration of Han Chinese has
left only Tibet with a clear indigenous majority. a) Tibet (Xizang Zizhiqu). Population 2,200,000. Tibetans 2,100,000. Tibet lost its temporary independence as a theocratic Buddhist state in 1950 when China invaded the land. The Communists have systematically sought to destroy the culture, religion and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people. Resistance to the occupiers has resulted in frequent revolts and unrest. Over one million people may have lost their lives and a further 100,000 may have been forced into exile including the spiritual and political leader of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama. i) Tibetans have long resisted any attempt to bring the gospel to them. Pray that the present sufferings may be God's means for breaking the demonic bondage of Lamaistic Buddhism. There are no more than a handful of believers in Tibet itself and no known congregations. ii) The political sensitivity and tensions in Tibet make entry and travel difficult for both Chinese and foreign Christians who desire to witness there. Pray for open doors and freedom to proclaim the gospel. iii) The 2,400,000 Tibetans living in the neighbouring provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu are more accessible for Christian witness, but only a few workers are concentrating on reaching them. Other ethnic groups in the area are more receptive. Pray for the planting of effective Tibetan churches. iv) 450,000 Tibetans are in exile. Nationalism, strong loyalty to Buddhism, and the careful shielding of Tibetans by the Buddhist authorities from any Christian witness make them hard to reach. There are a few congregations among Tibetans in India and a growing responsiveness in Nepal. b) Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu (Sinkiang): the vast Central Asian region of deserts, mountains and oases -- population 15,155,000 of which the nine Muslim peoples constitute 60% (Uygur, Kazakh, Hui, Kirghiz, Uzbek, Tajik and others); Chinese 39%; Mongolian 1%. There has been a rising level of agitation for independence since the collapse of the USSR in 1990 and considerable resurgence of Iranian-inspired revivalist Islam with many new mosques being built. The proximity of related ethnic groups in the five Central Asian Muslim republics of the former USSR further stimulates nationalistic fervour. i) There were once believers and some churches among the Uygur in the '30s, but in violence and persecution the churches were destroyed and believers killed or scattered. There are now only a handful of believers among the Uygur. Pray for the completion and distribution of the New Testament and also the dissemination of the Jesus film in Uygur. ii) The Muslim Dongxiang, Salar, Bonan, Kazakh, Kirgiz, Tajik, Uzbek and Tatar in both Xinjiang and the adjoining provinces of Qinghai and Gansu are unreached, with no churches and very little long-term Christian witness to them. iii) The 150,000 Christians in Xinjiang, almost all Han Chinese, are culturally isolated from the indigenous population. Pray that they may have a vision for and understanding of witnessing to Muslims. Most live in the capital, Urumqi. There are only about 30-40 known Christians among the non-Chinese; their numbers are growing, but they are subjected to heavy pressure by Muslims to return to Islam. c) Ningxia Hui. Population 4,655,000, of which Han Chinese 70%, Muslim Hui 30%. The Hui live in nearly every part of China, but their highest concentrations are in Ningxia and Gansu. They are Han-Chinese-speaking Putunghua but are recognized as a distinct ethnic group. Efforts to reach them have been sporadic. Pray that recent renewed concern for their evangelization will lead to the calling of Christians to serve among them. There are only a scattered few believers known among them. d) Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia). Population 21,457,000. Han Chinese 86%. Mongolian 11%. Other 3%. The massive influx of Chinese immigrants has swamped and marginalized the indigenous Mongolians, who have clung to their culture and Buddhist religion. The establishment of democracy in the Republic of Mongolia to the north has provoked demonstrations demanding real autonomy for the Mongolians -- a desire unlikely to be granted by Beijing. There may be no more than 2,000 Mongolian Christians in China. Pray for an opening up of the Mongolians in China to the gospel. Radio ministry is showing promise. The New Testament in Cyrillic script is available in the republic of Mongolia. Pray for the provision of a Mongolian-script New Testament and for those seeking to plant churches among Mongolians. e) Guangxi Zhuang. The Zhuang are China's largest ethnic minority. For years they were largely neglected by Christians, but over the past seven years great efforts have been made to reach them by means of radio, the Jesus film, personal outreach and social programmes. The effects on this Buddhist/animist people have been dramatic, with rapid church growth now taking place. Pray for the complete evangelization of the Zhuang and for the finishing of the New Testament in Zhuang. |
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| 3. Other ethnic minorities. On average,
the percentage of Christians at 1.6% is lower than among the majority
Han Chinese. Of the 55 officially-recognized ethnic minorities, 28
are without a known congregation of believers. Some are totally unreached,
others have a high proportion of Christians. Pray for: a) The Manchu (9.8 mill. 0.01% Christian) who have lost their language and blended in with the Han Chinese. They live in 15 provinces, but the main concentrations are in Liaoning and Jilin in what used to be Manchuria. There may be no more than 1,000 Christians. Renewed interest is being shown in their evangelization. b) The Yi (6.6 mill. 3% Christian), living mainly in Sichuan and Yunnan. Only since 1949 has a small breakthrough come among the Nosu Yi. The Sani Yi are less reached. Scriptures are needed in at least five of the Yi dialects. c) The Tujia (5.7 mill. 0.2% Christian), Dong (2.5 mill. 0.06% Christian), Bouyei (2.5 mill. 0.94% Christian), Li (1.1 mill; Hainan Is; 0.09% Christian) of the southern provinces who are culturally distinct but beginning to merge into the Chinese culture and losing their languages. Although the first churches were planted nearly a century ago, they have never had the Scriptures in their own tongue. d) The unreached peoples of Yunnan. Ethnic minorities comprise 13 million people in 27 groups without a viable church -- Dai, Naxi, Blung, Pumi, Achang, Nung, Jino, Benglong and Drung. Pray that the many Christians among the Lisu (52% Christian), Jingpo (46%), Wa (21%), Lahu (12%), Miao (6%), Hani (4%) and Bai (3%) may catch a vision for the unreached in their area as well as for the relatively few Christians among the Han Chinese of Yunnan. e) The unreached of the northern provinces. Among the following are no known churches: the Buddhist Tu of Qinghai; the Shamanist Xibe of Jilin; the Daur, Oroqen, Hezhen and Evenki of Nei Mongol, the Muslim Salar of Qinghai and Bonan of Gansu. f) The Koreans (1.9 mill., 6.3% Christian) of Jilin and Liaoning, largely unreached, but rapid church growth through evangelism and radio ministry is taking place. Some estimate that there are 130,000 Christians -- some reaching out to relatives in North Korea. |
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| 4. Bible translation is one of the great missions challenges for the '90s. Pray for national and foreign linguists now working on 17 languages, and ask the Lord for translators for the 60 languages for which there is a definite need for a New Testament translation and the 59 others where there may be a need. | |
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SUPPORTIVE MINISTRIES
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| The rapid growth of the Church and its influence
on the democracy movement has heightened the ideological clash since
1989. The Communist Party and the old men that run it feel
threatened by the powerful attraction of Christianity. The influence
of foreign visitors, students and experts, and the pervasive impact
of Christian radio programmes and videos, literature and Bibles have
been perceived as decisive in this. Opposition to and vigilance against
all activities conducted by foreigners has increased since 1989. Pray
that economic desire may overcome ideological fears and keep the door
open for Christians.
1. Missionaries as such are not welcome in China. Yet
China's desire to improve trading relations with the world makes
it possible for many Chinese and foreign Christians to enter as: |
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| 2. Provision of Bibles is totally inadequate, despite the large increase in the number of copies available. The famine of the Scriptures is most acute in provinces far from ports of entry and for the house churches. In some areas there are reported to be 1,000 or more believers for every Bible. Amity Foundation, founded in 1988 and sponsored by the TSPM and the UBS, has set up a large printing operation in China, and over 7 million Bibles and New Testaments have been printed since 1981 -- nearly all going to TSPM congregations. A further 7 million Bibles and New Testaments are estimated to have been brought in by visitors. Pray that this flow might increase and that every Christian might have access to a copy of God's Word. Importation of Bibles is not illegal but prevented for ideological reasons. | |
| 3. Video and audio tapes. The increasing
availability of play-back machines is making foreign-produced Scripture,
song, evangelism and teaching tapes a useful means for disseminating
the Truth. Pray for all involved in preparing and distributing these
tapes. a) The Jesus film is being widely seen on video in homes in 12 completed language versions (eight Chinese dialects and Mongolian, Uygur and Zhuang). A further 14 language editions are planned. Pray that the film may receive official recognition for public showing. b) Teaching tapes that deal with the moral and ethical devastation left by Marxist thought and provide solid biblical teaching are a great need to help the many intellectuals who are coming to faith. Pray for the production of reading materials and tapes to fill this need. |
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| 4. Christian literature. There is an insatiable demand for hymn books, Bible study and teaching materials, biographies, tracts, and apologetic materials to explain the gospel to students and intellectuals. There are now over 40 titles available (Christian Communications Ltd, OMF). Pray for all aspects of publication, entry into China and distribution. Many agencies are involved in this ministry including AO, CCL OD and denominational bodies. Pray for many more writers with experience of life in China to be raised up. Pray for wisdom in selection of materials for printing. | |
| 5. Christian radio has been and still is one of the most potent pre-evangelism and Christian teaching media for China today. Nearly every home now has a radio and a TV. Over 678 hours of broadcasting a week is pouring into China in five Chinese dialects (515 hours in Putunghua alone!) and Akha, Zhuang, Korean, Lahu, Lisu, Mongolian, Miao, Shan, Tibetan, Uygur and Wa. Pray especially for the extensive China-oriented broadcasting of FEBC (Manila, Saipan, Korea and Russia), and TWR (Guam). There are many major programme producers such as AO, OMF, CCRC Seminary of the Air and CMA. Pray for wisdom in programme selection and preparation that the message may meet the real needs of the people. There were over 50,000 letters received from listeners between 1979 and 1984, and the volume has continued to increase. Pray for listeners and those who seek to help them. The authorities have fined believers and confiscated radios in some areas for listening to these broadcasts. | |