Religion in China

There’s so much to learn and understand about the Chinese culture!  We’re learning about the religious aspects of China this week.  Did you know that approximately 80% of Chinese have no religion at all?!   Religion was banned completely as recently as 1976, and is still closely, and suspiciously, monitored by the government.  The remaining 20% are split between Buddhism, Muslim, Hinduism, and Christianity, with the vast majority of young believers in their 20s and 30s following Christianity. 

There are 3 major types of Christian churches in China.  First, the approved, government-registered church is the 3 Self church (which stands for self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation).  It started as a way for the government to control the protestant religions.  Second, is the unregistered, underground house churches.  They meet in secret and are in danger of harassment and imprisonment.  Third, is the Urban Professionals, who sometimes register with the government, but meet in smaller, house churches.   It is mostly made up of young, successful business professionals who have permission to work with foreign business partners.  This third group is largely who we will be working with.

Leslie Campos and Linda Martin

We are also learning about safety.  Most likely our rooms and cabs will be bugged and we may be monitored and followed.  We are not in a great amount of danger, but we could put those to whom we are ministering in danger.  We need to be on guard with what we do and say at all times.  Please pray that the Lord would set a guard on our tongues when we are there and that all we do would glorify Him!

We’re close to having enough support to secure our airline tickets, and, hopefully soon, our visas.  We leave in 8 weeks!  Yikes!! 

By His Grace, Leslie for the Team