China’s latest surge of persecution against Christians ignites call for prayer. Bob Fu of ChinaAid to testify in Washington, D.C.
“The persecution of Christians is increasing in China, and we need to pray for our brothers and sisters.” ~Bob Fu, President and founder of China Aid
By: Susan Ponting and Katrina de Schiffert
For Canadians it is difficult for any of us to believe, in our country, where people of all religions worship without persecution, and where we live our lives free of the fear that our religious beliefs could land us in prison or worse, cost us our lives, that there are others in our world who are persecuted daily for their faith, and in devastating numbers. Reports by various religious groups(1) say, “Chinese authorities have demolished crosses, burned Bibles, and raided Christian homes to remove religious symbols, and arrested church members and seized churches.”
According to Open Doors Canada, 97,200,000 Christians in China live in fear of persecution because of their religious beliefs, and their World Watch List reports that 57% of Christians in China are actively being persecuted.
The situation is so dire in China that Bob Fu, the president and founder of ChinaAid, is asking for international prayer.
Fu is testifying on September 27, 2018 in Washington D.C, before the House of foreign affairs committee for global human rights. Fu asks for financial support for legal defence for families of Christian prisoners.
Our partners at Global News Alliance have more with Bob Fu on the crisis,
China is one of the most complicated countries on the Open Doors World Watch List as it is multi-faceted and incredibly diverse. While a considerable portion of the country’s persecution is suffered by small groups of Christian converts among the Tibetans and the Muslim Uighurs, Christians among the main Han majority face continuing restrictions as well.
Learn more about Open Doors here:
Open Doors also reports that 43% of these persecuted Christians in China experience persecution by their own family members, and Christians who convert from Islam or Tibetan Buddhism are often forced to divorce their spouse, and threatened to have their children taken from them.
Context unites in prayer with our brothers and sisters in China – and for all the people around the world who are persecuted for their faith and religious beliefs.
*(1) Persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC)
