In War-Torn Sudan, God Is Bringing Healing and Hope (November 26, 2024, Send Relief)
In the last decade, the number of displaced people around the world has nearly doubled, resulting in a global refugee crisis. Of all the countries involved in this crisis, Sudan currently tops the list as the country with the most displaced people. In April 2023, civil war erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. The effect on the Sudanese people has been catastrophic.
Faith, hope and love: A guide to churches in Dubai (November 14, 2024, Bayut)
Curious about the religious landscape of Dubai? This may come as a surprise to the uninitiated that the city is home to several churches. Whether you’re a practising Christian or simply interested in exploring different faiths, here’s a guide to the churches in Dubai.
Two Borneo Neighbours on Diversity: Comparing Religious Authority in Brunei and Sarawak (August 5, 2024, Fulcrum)
The Borneo island shares a common history of Islamization seven or eight centuries ago, housing Islamic kingdoms such as Brunei and Banjarmasin. Today, the island is located off the sovereign states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, each with its own sub-regions. This article compares Islamic institutions and religious authority in contemporary Sarawak (a Malaysian state) and in Brunei, focusing on Muslim attitudes towards inter-faith and intra-faith initiatives.
Secret Kingdom: An exclusive glimpse inside the fast-growing Nepalese Church (March 4, 2024, Premier Christianity) (Subscription required)
Nepal is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing Christian populations. Estimates of the exact number of Christians in the country vary greatly, ranging from official statements at 683,000 to rumours of more than 3 million. Yet the hardships are real.
Women share joy of faith as Christianity gains a foothold in Mongolia (November 8, 2024, Anabaptist World)
The women at Sister Care shared their stories of becoming Christians and spoke of the joy of knowing that when they died, they would be with Jesus. As Buddhists, they had worried about what they might become in future reincarnations.
Guangzhou: “A Time for Testimony” (November 14, 2024, China Partnership)
We are so grateful for how much we have been transformed, especially since 2018. God’s grace is often seen through trials. His grace has strengthened our faith, expanded our ministry, and given us a deeper commitment to our vision and the truth. God’s grace does not always come through smooth sailing, but through what we see as hardship. We do not view ourselves as victims of persecution – but as beneficiaries.
Guangzhou: Challenges and Struggles (November 18, 2024, China Partnership)
I don’t complain. This is what God has given. If this is what God has given China, then the Chinese church must accept it. God is here, he must be doing his work here. It’s useless to complain. We trust his sovereignty.
Why Church Planting Among Unreached People Groups in China? (November 15, 2024, ChinaSource)
Most unreached people groups are unreached because they don’t have sufficient access to the gospel. When healthy churches are planted in and among unreached people groups, they begin to display the gospel. Yes, they can also read the Scriptures, but the local church is the display of the gospel and the body of Christ in the lives of the unreached.
Engaging Chinese Students in the UK (November 18, 2024, ChinaSource)
Every September, there’s a new wave of young Chinese students crossing the ocean to study in the UK, forming a unique bridge between two cultures and opening a window to God’s work in China. Despite the pandemic and other challenges of recent years, the number of Chinese students applying to the UK has risen by 55% over the last five years (2019–2023).
Crossing Cultures: Enlightenment and the Middle Kingdom (November 19, 2024, ChinaSource)
The Lord builds his church, and the church he constructs will look a bit different in each climate and landscape. It is the seed that has power to grow roots down into deeply buried cultural expressions and expectations, roots that will produce fruit fitting the context, fruit that is both beautiful and empowering.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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