How many Christians are there in Jordan? (June 14, 2024, Open Doors UK)
In general, Jordan is more tolerant of Christianity, particularly compared to some other places in the region, and many Christians are able to worship freely. The monarchy of King Abdullah II has recognised multiple churches and allows these communities to worship, as long as they don’t preach publicly or reach out to Muslims. But these churches are monitored by the state, and Christians in these communities report facing some level of discrimination in the workplace.
One of the Earliest Christian Buildings in Bahrain Discovered (July 13, 2024, Ancient Origins)
Located in Samahij, Bahrain, radiocarbon dating of the building indicates that it was occupied between the mid-4th and the mid-8th centuries AD. The site was abandoned after the population converted to Islam.
“Minorities in Brunei Darussalam: Intersecting Religion and Ethnicity” by Chang-Yau Hoon and Asiyah Kumpoh (July 5, 2024, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute)
The Christian community in Brunei comprises the largest religious minority, constituting 6.7% of the population, with 3.7% identifying as Roman Catholics and 4% as Protestants. Unlike Sarawak, where Christianity thrives, Brunei’s historical ties to Islam and the approach taken by the British administration had likely limited missionary influence there. While the majority of Christians in Brunei attend Anglican churches, independent congregations are emerging.
Sunday school shut down by mob in Bangladesh (April 11, 2024, Open Doors UK)
A Sunday school for Christian children from Muslim backgrounds has been forced to shut down in Bangladesh, after a group of Muslim women stormed the group and threatened people.
Imprisonment, beekeeping and the power of your prayers – meet Evgeny from Central Asia (July 1, 2024, Open Doors UK)
Evgeny* is a beekeeper who loves telling others about Jesus. Helped by Open Doors local partners, he is sharing both his skills and faith with others in Central Asia, particularly those on the margins of society. As he says here, the ministry is immensely challenging at times, but he and his team feel sustained by your prayers.
Chengdu: Relaxed, Comfortable, Leisurely (July 8, 2024, China Partnership)
This July, we are praying for Chengdu. Chengdu is a city of more than 20 million and is widely recognized as one of the most important cities in Western China. Chengdu is seen as a “land of plenty,” and its people are known for enjoying life. It has a strong literary and educational culture and is accepting of new people and new ideas.
Resilience and Renewal (July 9, 2024, Chinese Church Voices)
The gospel gives life to the church, so it should be the gospel that determines the church’s development and opens up its future. If local churches or denominations try to solve their survival crisis first and then address church development, they are putting the cart before the horse. As long as there is the gospel, there will be disciples, and as long as there are disciples, there will be a church.
Home Is the Bridge to Our Hearts (July 5, 2024, ChinaSource)
Home and family are very vital topics to a Chinese person, often providing bridges to their heart’s desires and offering a way to present Christ as the way to give a perfect home and family—the home and family found in knowing him.
Lighting the Future: A Candle in the Dark, Part 2 (July 3, 2024, ChinaSource)
One candle can light a square, but thousands of candles can illuminate a path out of darkness. This path leads people to the Triune God! These children’s stories invite you to see that God has a great plan to use these Chinese children in his worldwide kingdom expansion!
God Is on the Move, Part 1 (July 8, 2024, ChinaSource)
The imposition of the zero-COVID policy created chaos for Chinese churches and many cross-cultural workers in China. Congregations were unable to meet in person, leaving believers even more isolated. A large number of cross-cultural workers found themselves unable to return after leaving for short vacations in January 2020. Workers who remained—both Chinese and non-Chinese—faced increased scrutiny, testing, and workloads. God did not abandon his church in this time of turmoil.
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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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