Crossing over China’s Evangelism Laws

The world has a spotlight on China these days. The heightened activity surrounding the Olympics, the 7.8 earthquake which shook the lives of thousands in the southwestern Sichuan province, and China’s crackdown on Christians spreading the Gospel have all led to an ever growing debate. Should we or shouldn’t we preach the Gospel in a place where media will automatically be drawn, thousands of fans will attend, and millions of people will be watching from their homes? Or should the witness be discrete, one on one, face to face in the love of Christ?

Going to a house church in China is considered participating in an “illegal religious practice.” Authorities in China continually raid and detain house church members; they confiscate Bibles, hymnals, and Bible study materials.

Brother Andrew, the founder of Open Doors, was called by God to go against laws like these starting in the 1950’s. The scripture given him was “awake and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death.” (Rev 3:2)    [side note: Brother Andrew just turned 80 years old on May 11th!  Send him a belated bday card at happybirthday@odusa.org] The Chinese government has tried to restrict Christian worship & practices to the state controlled church known as the “Three Self Peoples Movement (TSPM).” They have reported, as late as 2005, that the number of Christians in China is 14 - 16 million.  Ministries that work with Chinese Christians report there are at least 80 - 100 million Christians. So, the majority of the Christians in China have chosen to “go underground” rather than belong to the TSPM, whose elders and leaders are communist party members.

God has commanded us to go and make disciples around the world…

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do everything I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:19 - 20 (NIV)

So — should we or shouldn’t we preach the Gospel during the Beijing Olympics, even though it’s “illegal”?

Protest @ Chinese Consulate: Obama & Brownback Respond

Today at the protest for North Korean refugees at the Chinese Consulate in LA, the KCC received a letter from Senator Barack Obama and Senator Sam Brownback regarding the suffering in NK…here are the letters, click on them to enlarge…

 

W. China Earthquake

Maybe it’s just me, or have we had an abnormal number of natural disasters this year already?

In addition to praying for Burma (also known as Myanmar) and the cyclone that hit and affected more than a million people (click here to read the blogpost about it), a massive earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck W. China on Monday, May 12, 2008. It is reported that 80% of the buildings in Beichuan County have collapsed. The earthquake hit at 2:28 in the afternoon, when schools and office buildings were full; 8500 people have been reported dead so far.

The shaking was felt as far away as Vietnam and Thailand, and has caused power outages, no running water, lack of telephone communication, and evacuation of hospitals, offices and housing. Landslides have caused roadblocks, slowing the rescue effort.

“The effects of the tragedy caused by this earthquake have rippled across the entire world with mourning for the loss of life, while also eliciting an immediate response from the compassionate,” says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. “As the reports indicate, the death toll could exceed 9,000. There are thousands left homeless.
      “Before anything else, I encourage you to bring this before God in prayer. Please pray that God’s name will be proclaimed through the testimonies of our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in and near these areas directly affected.
      “Open Doors has partnered with churches and persecuted Christians for many years throughout the China. Pray for our co-workers there. This is a real opportunity for the Church to demonstrate Christ’s love in the midst of terrible suffering.”

PRAYER POINTS:

 Pray for the thousands of people missing or injured that they may they be found and treated for their injuries.
 Pray that food, clean water and shelter will be available to the most needy as soon as possible
 Pray that Christians in China will feel the peace and comfort of worldwide prayers

Feel free to post your prayers for China and Burma…
Taylor

Prayer for Burma/Myanmar

The situation in Burma (formerly known as Myanmar) continues to deteriorate as a result of last Saturday’s devastating cyclone and they need your prayers.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that American diplomat Shari Villarosa said the number of deaths could eventually exceed 100,000 because safe food and water were scarce and unsanitary conditions widespread. The United Nations reported there were 1 million homeless people. Also, there were reports that the country’s military junta was making it difficult for some international aid to get into Burma, according to Associated Press.

According to the Open Doors’ World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the worse persecution. Burma is No. 25 on the list of 50 countries. It is approximately 90% Buddhist and 4% Christian. As stated in the World Watch List:
As believers, we should PRAY for those who are suffering in Burma:

LEADERS:
 Pray for the Burmese borders to be opened to allow relief aid to come in
 Pray the leaders of Burma will honor the efforts of those around the world who want to help the survivors

HEALTH:
 Pray that disease will not spread
 Pray that food, clean water and shelter will be delivered to the most needy as soon as possible

SURVIVORS:
 Pray for those who are in shock and frightened
 Pray for those who’s homes have been demolished; that they’ll find safety and shelter for their families
 Pray for acts of courage, kindness and harmony
 Pray that Christians in Burma will feel peace and comfort of worldwide prayers
 Pray that the tens of thousands of people missing will be found alive

OTHER:
 Pray that believers around the world will hold this country up in prayer, and remember even after the media has forgotten them
 Pray that volunteers will be many and will not grow weary

Please leave comments and your prayers for those suffering…and send this link to everyone you know, asking them to hold up this country in prayer!

Taylor

N. Korea on CBN Website

North Korea Freedom Week is over, but it doesn’t mean we should stop praying for those who are suffering.  North Korea still remains as the #1 worst persecuted country in the world, according to our World Watch List.

Carl Moeller, CEO of Open Doors USA, was interviewed on persecution in North Korea during North Korea Freedom Week (NKFW) last week.  He was in Washington DC, for the events, including lobbying Congressmen on behalf of suffering North Koreans.

You can watch the interview by clicking HERE or at http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/368319.aspx and click “Olympic Flame Highlights Need for Freedom.”  Christian World News is carried by hundreds of television stations and satellite outlets across the world. Check your local newspaper for the time of Christian World News in your area.

You can listen to our podcasts during NKFW by clicking HERE.

You can also sign up for the 3 year prayer campaign for North Korea by clicking HERE.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

North Korea Freedom Week: Pray Day 7

Asylum

In 2004 the U.S. Congress unanimously passed the NK Human Rights Act. This was a huge victory for those seeking to improve the lives of N Koreans. The purpose of this legislation was to increase cooperation in refugee protection and human rights and improve transparency in distribution of humanitarian aid in North Korea.
Please pray for:
■ The U.S. government to fully fund the NK Human Rights Act.
■ The U.S. government to grant NK refugees asylum
■ N. Korean defectors to have wisdom in planning for the future of NK
■ Freedom for all N. Koreans.

North Korea Freedom Week: Pray Day 6

Underground Railroad & Activists

There is an underground railroad that runs almost exclusively by Christian activists to help N. Korean refugees in China escape to a safe third country where they can gain asylum.
Please pray for:
■ The activists who will continue to assist refugees without being detected.
■ The Chinese government to cease imprisoning refugees and activists and allow the UNHCR access to the refugees.
■ Activists who are imprisoned in China & those who’ve been abducted to NK.
■ Ask God to protect imprisoned activists from physical, mental, & emotional abuse.

podcast podcast podcast

Yup — we have new podcasts up!

North Korea Freedom Week podcast: click HERE.  (make sure to click SUBSCRIBE, that way they’ll automatically download to your itunes everytime we post a new one)

Secret Believers podcast: click HERE.  (make sure to click SUBSCRIBE, that way they’ll automatically download to your itunes everytime we post a new one)

Check it out!!!

If you don’t have itunes click HERE to download it for free…trust me, it’s worth it.

If you’re having trouble or have questions you can email us at socialmedia@odusa.org

Thanks!

Taylor

North Korea Freedom Week: Pray Day 5

Refugees

Thousands of N. Koreans have fled to China in search of a better life. Some try to leave permanently as they seek freedom or escape from religious persecution, and others cross the border in search of jobs or food so that they can return and support their starving families in NK. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 300,000 North Korean refugees are hiding in China. Reaching China does not mean freedom for refugees because China has an agreement with NK to forcibly send back all refugees. These refugees then face prison or death camps.
Please pray for:
■ Divine protection for refugees who are escaping NK and for those hiding in China.
■ Refugees in China, that they’ll escape the exploitive situations they they’re in. Pray specifically for the women who are being sexually exploited & for refugees who are being used for slave labor.
■ Border guards, that their seeing eyes may be blind, and many people will flee NK and will build better lives for themselves.
■ China to allow the UNHCR to have access to the N. Korean refugees and they will stop the forcible repatriation of these refugees.

DC Protest — recap

The DC protest went really great this past weekend, great turnout!  They even marched from the Chinese Consulate to the Korean Embassy and back…

This year we have the largest North Korea Defector delegation that’s ever come to North Korea Freedom Week before!  Amazing!  (btw…defectors are people who have escaped from North Korea)  Check out these pics from this weekend…

 

You can listen to our podcast on iTunes…if you don’t have it, click HERE to download it for free.

If you already have itunes, you can listen to the podcast about North Korea Freedom Week (including the protest in DC) click HERE.