While the world has been battling the Coronavirus and economies prepare to be shattered for many years to come, in China the self-proclaimed 'President for Life' Xi Jinping continues his relentless persecution of Christians, at levels not seen since the demonic days of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s.
Recently we wrote that we believe the intense spiritual battle underway in China will be a turning point in the war between the light of the Gospel and the forces of darkness in China. If God's people endure and overcome, the revival fires that have blazed in China for decades may grow to a new intensity not seen before, with tens of millions more people coming to Christ.
The militant atheists who lead the Communist Party are terrified of this prospect. They are doing everything they can to stop the Gospel spreading, which (ironically) they view as a virus. Official government documents have referred to the "Jesus Fever" infecting multitudes of people.
You may have read about mass arrests and persecution and have prayed for the Chinese believers for years, but perhaps you have never been able to picture what persecution looks like in 21st century China.
A few weeks ago (on May 3rd), the below video emerged of a typical house church meeting being raided in the city of Xiamen (Fujian Province). Six brothers who were identified as leaders were taken away and have not been heard from since. Please watch the short clip and pray not only for these brothers and sisters, but for the tens of millions of believers across China who are currently facing similar trials.
In the coming weeks we plan to publish a series of email newsletters about the situation in China, not only focusing on the evil deeds of the Communist authorities, but also on the glorious witness of God's people as they boldly continue to be salt and light to their nation.
Meanwhile, all our projects continue to function in China by the sovereign hand of the Lord. In the first five months of this year we have (illegally) printed and distributed over 250,000 more full Chinese Bibles to the house churches, who face a massive famine of God's Word due to almost every other method being shut down. The government has also blocked access to Bible websites and apps, as they position for an attempt to crush the Church once and for all.
Please know that the Christians in China have been praying earnestly for believers around the world during the current pandemic, and we ask that you also please pray for them as they enter the furnace of affliction.
May God bless you as together we serve the Church in Asia.
The team at Asia Harvest
www.asiaharvest.org