China

OVERVIEW OF CHINA

The Communist government under China`s new president Xi Jinping aims at controlling religious activities. While in most regions in China, Christian activities have been watched rather than controlled, the unregistered house churches could be affected by a program started to eradicate so-called “evil cults.” Concerning the ethnic Han churches, some observers speak of three kinds of churches: the “black” ones which are illegal and which the state is fighting against (for example Vatican loyal Roman Catholics), the “red” ones which are state-approved and controlled and the “grey” ones which are not registered, but tolerated, and which form the majority of the Christians.

PRAYER POINTS

• For Christians in the southern province of Zhejiang where local authorities started a campaign against religious structures, especially churches, last year
• That Christians will continue to grow in their faith and spread it to other countries
• For Muslim Background Believers in the state of Xinjiang as they cope with pressure from their families and friends as well as the government