Mixed responses follow Iraqi Kurdistan's interfaith event at Erbil (April 27, 2025, The New Arab)
An interfaith meeting held in Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, has triggered mixed responses among the Iraqi public. But unconfirmed rumors swirled among certain Islamic scholars and observers, warning that interfaith dialogue was a political cover for problematic stances.
King Hamad of Bahrain: Trump’s partner for religious freedom (April 15, 2025, Washington Times)
It is not surprising that when President Donald Trump invited Bahrain to join the Abraham Accords, King Hamad did not hesitate and responded openly to this initiative from the American President. Why?
As U.S. leads airstrikes, where is hope for Yemen? (April 7, 2025, Mission Network News)
Hope is already hard to find in Yemen. The past decade of civil war between the government and Houthis has created one of the worst humanitarian crises today. More than half of the people in Yemen need urgent aid; more than 80% live under the poverty line. Yet God is building His Church in Yemen.
How Did the Gospel Get to Morocco? (March 27, 2025, Radical Ministries)
Out of a population of over 38 million, 33,000 people in Morocco claim to be Christians. As we consider the Church today, we can gain insight by looking back in history to see how and when the gospel was first brought to Moroccans. So, how did Morocco get to this point?
Did China ‘slap’ Francis in his coffin? – UCA News (May 1, UCA News)
As more than 1.4 billion Catholics around the world said farewell to Pope Francis — and millions of non-Catholics watched his funeral live — one country’s absence stood out: Xi Jinping’s China. This absence was so conspicuous that even critics of both Pope Francis and China hardly dared to comment.
Shenzhen: “Sheep Without a Shepherd” (April 30, 2025, China Partnership)
Shenzhen is a city with many people, so many people. But they truly are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Pray that God will enable more churches to see the needs of these first-tier cities. May he move the churches to send workers to Shenzhen to harvest the crops.
Scattered to Sow (April 29, 2025, ChinaSource)
Mention mission sending from China, and invariably the slogan “Back to Jerusalem” will find its way into the conversation. Indeed, it seems difficult to discuss the mission of China’s church today without reference to this movement. Although it does have a significant place in Chinese church history, “Back to Jerusalem” has become almost a shorthand for Chinese Christians’ involvement in global evangelism, perpetuating a narrative that obscures the larger story of God’s work among the nations and the Chinese church’s place in it.
Shenzhen: How to Pray (April 28, 2025, China Partnership)
Several Shenzhen church leaders share how we can pray for them, their families, and their churches. They are concerned about how to serve children within their church, and uncertain how to train and raise up the next generation of pastors and church leaders. They also mentioned dealing with exhaustion, stress, and burnout. Pray God will sustain and carry these pastors, that they will not labor under heavy burdens but will instead run to Christ, whose yoke is easy and burden is light.
Work as Worship (April 28, 2025, ChinaSource)
In the rhythm of daily life—whether in a field like Ruth’s, a high-rise office, a rural classroom, or a family kitchen—God is present. Our labor, our conversations, our routines: all are part of the sacred call to walk with him. Work isn’t separate from worship. In fact, work can be worship when done in response to God’s call.
The Rise of Chinese Missionaries (April 25, 2025, ChinaSource)
I recently completed a ThM thesis that examines this growing phenomenon within the Chinese mission movement. As part of my research, I conducted interviews with twelve Chinese university graduates who have served the Lord in cross-cultural locations.Their involvement with God’s global mission is just one example of how the Chinese Church has moved from being a receiver to being a sender of missionaries. This blog post is the first of a series that will discuss the rise of the Chinese mission movement, particularly through the lens of university graduates. Today’s post will consider the historical background of this movement.
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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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