What’s the gateway media channel to reach Iran for Christ? (December 12, 2024, Mission Network News)
Despite being technically illegal in Iran, there’s a form of media used by millions of Iranians that is difficult for their government to curb. It’s a powerful avenue that Transform Iran wants to maximize for the Great Commission … and you can be a part of it!
Christian Leaders in India Issue Stern Appeal to Government (January 2, 2024, Morning Star News)
More than 400 Christian leaders in India ended 2024 with a strongly-worded appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put an end to a surge in violence against Christians that was especially heightened during the Christmas season. Prime minister faulted for not condemning persecution.
Christians are the most persecuted minority group in Turkey in 2023 (December 7, 2024, Pime Onlus - AsiaNews)
Christians are the minority group that suffered the most from sectarian attacks in Turkey last year, this according to a recent report by the Freedom of Belief Initiative, which documents scores of violent hate crimes against religious groups, especially Christians and Jews.
The Door Is Now Open to Churches in Nepal (December 11, 2024, Christianity Today) (Subscription required)
Today, Christianity is a prominent faith in Nepal, with churches established in nearly every district, including about 300 congregations in the valley surrounding the capital of Kathmandu. However, activist groups seeking to restore the Hindu monarchy to power have pushed back against the growth of Christianity, sometimes even attacking churches.
The Immigrant Church…in Southeast Asia: Part 2 (January 6, 2025, China Partnership)
Many Chinese are settling in other Asian countries, places not so far from their original home, countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and other southeast Asian destinations. Among the current diaspora are many Christians, including house church pastors. In this season of tumult, Chinese believers are considering how to continue sharing the gospel with other Chinese who are either unsettled or in the process of re-settling. While these changes present challenges to the spread of the gospel, it is also an important opportunity, one the church wants to meet intentionally.
A Son’s Gratitude (January 6, 2025, ChinaSource)
Up until this point in my life, it always felt that my love for Theology and Chinese were together an odd combination, or potentially a fluke of random chance. To say this conference changed my perspective on that would be a vast understatement. I finally met over 100 people who not only shared a similar interest and desires, but had so many unique ways in which they were living out this same calling we shared, in cities across the US, China, and Taiwan.
Continuing Partnership Beyond the Golden Age: Stepping Out (January 3, 2025, ChinaSource)
As the golden age for missions in China fades, the dynamics of ministry are changing drastically. Foreign workers are being forced to leave, and local churches are facing increasing repression. In this challenging environment, how can the international community continue supporting and walking alongside their beloved Chinese brothers and sisters? A recent trip I took offered deep reflections on a new model of partnership and how God continues to pour out his love and carry out his work in China.
Year Two of Praying for China’s Cities (January 2, 2025, China Partnership)
At China Partnership, we place a high value on cities. As I wrote in my introductory piece to 2024, Chinese cities have a special place in the work of the kingdom of God. Because of this belief, we spent all of 2024 praying for Chinese cities. We prayed for a different city each month, drawing our prayer requests from the Christians that call those cities home. The feedback we have received from this prayer focus–as well as our own internal experience–has been fantastic. So much so, that in 2025 we’re going to do it all over again.
China State Media Launches ‘China-U.S. Friendship Stories’ Campaign at Kuliang Forum, Rooted in Missionary Legacy (January 1, 2025, China Christian Daily)
The forum was held in Beijing on December 20, 2024, aiming to enhance understanding and promote people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States. It brought together over 150 representatives from the political, academic, media, and business sectors, as well as youth and members of the “Friends of Kuliang” organization.
Readers’ Choice: Most-Read Posts of 2024 (December 31, 2024, ChinaSource)
Happy last day of 2024! While we’re looking forward to 2025, we also want to remember the highlights of the last 12 months, with a couple of bonus articles. Enjoy!