What does persecution look like in Maldives? (Open Doors US)
The Maldives is an island paradise popular for welcoming tourists from around the world – but the welcome sadly doesn’t extend to Maldivians who choose to follow Jesus.
A snapshot of Iran’s thriving, victorious church (May 29, 2025, Mission Network News)
“It’s a constant pressure on the church from the government. But that has not taken away the vibrancy of the church in Iran. It is a thriving, victorious church.”
Christians Double Down on Evangelism as Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage (February 23, 2025, Christianity Today) (Subscription required)
“When discussing these different philosophies of engagement, Thai Christians have to remember that their community makes up less than a million out of 77 million of the country’s population…“
Azerbaijan seeks to 'silence' Christian group at UN over Nagorno Karabakh (May 23, 2025, Christian Post)
Azerbaijan has filed a formal complaint with the U.N. Committee on NGOs against Christian Solidarity International (CSI), a Switzerland-based human rights group with consultative status, over its advocacy for Armenian Christians displaced from Nagorno Karabakh.
Betrayal of Faith, Identity, and the Shadow of Systemic Islamization in Sabah, Malaysia (April 30, 2025, Persecution.org - International Christian Concern)
Disturbing reports of Sabahans, who are proud members of the indigenous Murut community and devout Christians, are being deceitfully registered as Muslims without their knowledge or explicit consent.
The State of the Great Commission in East Asia (Lausanne Movement)
East Asia’s rich cultural heritage, religious diversity, economic dynamism, and complex politics shape its vibrant and diverse landscape. Each of these factors influences the church’s mission, outreach strategies, and community engagement.
Maldives is sinking 3 times faster than Venice — disappearing paradise faces extinction by 2050 (May 18, 2025, Journee-Mondiale)
Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities worldwide, but while Venice’s plight commands global attention, the Maldives is disappearing at an alarming rate – yet remains largely absent from international headlines.
Oman launches longest tourist walkway in Nakhal (June 14, 2025, Gulf News)
Oman has launched its longest tourist walkway in the Wilayat of Nakhal, South Al Batinah Governorate, a major new initiative designed to revitalize rural tourism and support local communities. The project will reduce traffic congestion at key sites and create jobs.
How Malaysia is preparing its workforce for the future (June 10, 2025, World Economic Forum)
Automation threatens about 620,000 jobs in Malaysia but it also creates opportunities in emerging roles. Malaysia is taking a data-driven and collaborative approach to workforce development to manage this change. Beyond employment statistics, the true goal is to preserve human dignity in the face of technological disruption.
One of the world’s most closed countries has just made it easier to visit (April 24, 2025, The Independent UK)
Turkmenistan, long one of the world's most closed countries, has adopted a law that will bring in electronic visas and make it easier for foreigners to enter.
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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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