persecution in China

[Blessed-one]

there're two types of churches in China, the house churches and the church (three something.. forgot the name) registered with the government. Because it is registered, it is within the government's control and has lots of restrictions imposed on them.

the house churches do not have main church buildings, rather, they have fellowship and worship in their own homes; and quite often, due to government intervention, they have to run for their lives and go into hiding.

after reading "The Heavenly Man" by Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway, i gain more insight into to the suffering and the miracles occuring in the house churches in China. We really need to learn from them and pray for them. God is raising them to bring the gospel back to the middle east and also to wake up the sleeping churches of the west.

 

[TheThinman]

Yes, I definately have a heart for our Chinese brothers and sisters. Whenever I hear of the trials they endure, it makes me realize how well I have it here in the USA. I'll have to check out that book.

 

[nicodemus]

Yes, registered churches in China are vigorously persecuted. The Orthodox Church in mainland China has only one priest and they won't grant permission to those looking to get ordained and they won't grant visas to clergy from other countries.

However, they Orthodox Church in Hong Kong is growing quite a bit, and hopefully the mainland will be opened soon.

I've attached a photo of an icon of the Orthodox Chinese martyrs.

Here's an Orthodox hymn about martyrs in China:

Rejoice, multitude of Chinese martyrs
The Living God's brave array
Which strongly put down the buddhist delusion and elevated Christ's faith.
The flowers that breathe out the untold fragrance,
New stars of the intelligible firmament
Who illumine the hearts of the faithful.
The great boast of China, Asia's ornament, decoration, and brightness
And the first sacrifice to the Lord:
Entreat Him to grant to our souls great mercy.

 

[plum]

Another book I recommend to you who have a heart for our Chinese family is the one that changed my heart towards the plight of modern day persecution:

"Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn. It takes place in China and is heavily based on actual people and events. It is, however, a novel. Positively one of my top five books I've ever read.

 

[Blessed-one]

thanks for the hymn and pic, nico.

cool, i've got to check that book out missju, thanks.

 

[nicodemus]

I'd love to go to China. Hopefully the Chinese government will allow for the Orthodox to return to mainland China and not just be in Hong Kong!

 

[nicodemus]

I'm very interested, but just bought a house so I won't be living overseas anytime soon

 

[Risen Tree]

It's truly a shame that the plight of Christians in China never receives significant Press coverage. And don't get me started on the gulags of North Korea....

 

[Xen_Antares]

Its not only limited to Christians in China either, Muslims have it just as bad sometimes worse especially in Uighuristan. Thats why it makes me mad when people talk about how bad Americans are to Muslims like were some sort of anti Muslim nation, but China who does awful things to the Islamic population is overlooked. Its one of those things where the US is held to a different standard by the world

 

[shout2thelord]

I have a friend who just became a christian we are at the same uni in the UK. But she is originally from beijing and she will go back there for the holidays this summer. does anyone know how she will be able to find a good house church. also she doesnt know about the persecution and i dont want to be the one to tell her as it will seem like im this westerner telling her how bad her country is.

 

[plum]

I recommend having her attend a licensed TSP church and to live out her Christian life there, no matter how strange it may be, and most likely people in that church can inform her about lccal unlicensed churches... i've heard it's mostly word-of-mouth.

 

[shout2thelord]

I recommend having her attend a licensed TSP church and to live out her Christian life there, no matter how strange it may be, and most likely people in that church can inform her about lccal unlicensed churches... i've heard it's mostly word-of-mouth.

Thanks 4 the advice

 

[Lady Jaina]

there're two types of churches in China, the house churches and the church (three something.. forgot the name) registered with the government. Because it is registered, it is within the government's control and has lots of restrictions imposed on them.

The official church is called the Three Self Patriotic Movement (or TSPM). The official church cannot preach many of the basic Christian truths. I am planning on reading "The Heavenly Man." Our church is really involved in China missions, etc, so books like that and Safely Home mean a lot. Please pray everyday for believers in China. It is so much more than imprisonment--torture, death. Money, homes, and belongings can be taken away, but they still refuse to stop telling everyone about Jesus--if only the churches here in America had that kind of fire. Do you know what Bro Yun called the churches in America? Pitiful!! Think about it, compared to China's churches he is right. We don't have to worry about persecution like that, but most still don't share!

Food for thought...

-Jaina

 

[California Dreamin']

I was unaware of all this!

 

[Lady Jaina]

Many people are. China doesn't exactly shout this out to the world...gee (I wonder why.) But it happens everyday. Check out http://www.persecution.com for more info.

Blessings,
Jaina

 

[godscreation8888]

All I have to say is Bless all of you. For caring about fellow Chinese brothers and sisters. I am Chinese and it is just great to see people actually caring about what is happening to Chinese Christians.

 

[CeeBee]

I am praying for you all.

 

[Jonathan David]

I have heard a little about this but know very little. Pray4Israel, this sounds like an increddible opportunity. Are you there now? I hope that you will give us full updates. I will pray for you and for the welfare and freedom of Chinese Christians. God Bless you for undertaking this work in the name of God.

Peace.

JD

 

[Archbishop 10-K]

I know that Catholicism is illegal in China because loyalty to the Pope is illegal. There is a "Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church" controlled by the government, although this "Church" requires Catholics to disavow any ties with the Pope or the Vatican City. There are about 5 million Patriotic members...... and 8 million real underground Catholics! I know that these Masses are raided or broken up by the Chinese government, and priests are sent to "re-education camps." Sad, huh?

 

[Screamin'Eagle]

i also have a heart for the chinese, and am saddened by whats going on there, but also my heart goes out to the unsaved chinese. So much that im trying to figure out if God is calling me into missions there...we'll see though, all in his perfect timing.